| Did you know other names for milk thistle species | | | | animals graze. The plants have a high potassium |
| include Silybum eburneum, Silybum marianum and | | | | nitrate content that can be toxic to cattle, sheep, |
| Silybum gonzaloi? The plants belong to the | | | | goats and other double-stomached ruminants. |
| Asteraceae or Compositae family, commonly known | | | | Other names for milk thistle of the Silybum eburneum |
| as the aster, daisy or sunflower family. | | | | species include silver milk thistle, elephant thistle and |
| Over 20,000 species belong to the family, while only | | | | ivory thistle. In the past, a number of other plants |
| three species are commonly referred to as milk | | | | were included in the genus, but modern research has |
| thistles. In many parts of the world, such as North | | | | shown that they were unrelated. |
| America, Australia and New Zealand, they are | | | | Silybum gonzaloi is actually a hybrid; a cross between |
| considered invasive weeds. But, they are cultivated | | | | Silybum eburneum and Silybum marianum. The |
| in Austria, Germany, Hungary, Poland, China and | | | | seeds of both species and the hybrid contain |
| Argentina for their valuable seeds. | | | | silymarin. |
| The seeds of the plant are black in color and very | | | | Silymarin is an ingredient in many dietary supplements |
| small. They contain unique antioxidant flavonoids | | | | and is also found in some energy drinks. As with |
| called silymarins. Silymarins have been the subject of | | | | other antioxidants, the health benefits may include a |
| many scientific studies. Their value in treating liver | | | | reduced risk of various kinds of cancer and seemingly |
| diseases, viral infections, type II diabetes and some | | | | age-related diseases. |
| types of cancer has been studied. | | | | There are probably other names for milk thistle, as it |
| Most researchers consider the results | | | | is scattered around the world. Of course, only |
| “promising”, although it will be a while before | | | | people that are interested in plants and those that |
| the plant is a part of mainstream medicine, if that | | | | are aware of the healing properties would want to |
| ever happens. The primary use of silymarins in the | | | | name it. Most people still think of them as weeds. |
| mainstream medical community is as an anti-toxin for | | | | All of us could benefit from including more plants in |
| the consumption of poisonous mushrooms. When | | | | our daily diets, but not many people would like the |
| used as an anti-toxin, the silymarins are extracted | | | | taste of the thistles. So, dietary supplements are |
| from the seeds and a component called Silibinin is | | | | the next best thing. |
| isolated. | | | | Antioxidant-rich dietary supplements could help you |
| Other names for milk thistle that are more commonly | | | | feel better and look better throughout your life, |
| used include blessed milk thistle, Marian thistle, Mary | | | | because they protect against sun damage, which is |
| thistle, Mediterranean milk thistle and variegated | | | | one of the primary causes of an aged appearance. |
| thistle. The green leaves have milky white veins. | | | | Now that you know more about the other names |
| Thistles (thorn-like structures) protect the flower and | | | | for milk thistle, you might want to learn more about |
| the maturing seed pod. The pink to purple flowers | | | | protecting your appearance for life. |
| are a favorite of butterflies. Some people cultivate | | | | If you'd like to learn more about little known but |
| the plants in their gardens for the purpose of | | | | clinically tested natural ingredients that are used for |
| attracting the winged creatures. | | | | treating aging skin, visit my website today. |
| The plants are undesirable in fields where ruminant | | | | |