Although it’s best known as a liver tonic, Milk Thistle (also referred to as St Mary’s Thistle) has additional benefits for several other aspects of digestive function. Here are seven key reasons to consider keeping some in your medicine cabinet.

1. Milk Thistle aids healthy digestion

A healthy digestive system is one that can efficiently break down and metabolise the food you consume, and Milk Thistle has traditionally been used in Western herbal medicine to support digestive function. In particular, think of it for those aspects of digestion that the liver is involved in, like the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.

2. Milk Thistle relieves indigestion

Do you get dyspepsia? That’s the medical term for what’s more commonly referred to as indigestion, which is typically characterised by pain and/or burning in the stomach region, uncomfortable feelings of fullness after a meal, and/or an inability to finish a normal-sized meal due to feeling overly full. These symptoms are believed to affect up to 1 in 10 people, especially those who smoke, drink alcohol, or are overweight. If you’re affected, consider taking Milk Thistle, which may help to relieve dyspepsia, indigestion, heartburn and abdominal discomfort, based on its traditional use in Western herbal medicine.

3. Milk Thistle may help support liver function and ease the after-effects of over-indulgence

Been drinking too much, or going overboard with the fatty or carbohydrate-rich foods? Doing so increases your liver’s workload, and can sometimes leave you sluggish, nauseous, tired or constipated. Milk Thistle has a long-held reputation in Western herbal medicine as a liver tonic with supportive benefits during times over-indulgence, so may be useful here. It can also be taken to alleviate mild liver complaints and support healthy liver function.

4. Milk Thistle relieves mild gall bladder problems

The gall bladder sits alongside the liver and works closely with it, acting as the body’s storage reservoir for bile, which is secreted by the liver. When you consume foods that contain fat, the gall bladder secretes bile into the intestinal tract, enabling the fats to be broken down and assimilated into the body. In tandem with its actions on the liver, Milk Thistle is traditionally used in Western herbal medicine to support gall bladder health, promote the healthy flow of bile, and ease mild gall bladder complaints.

5. Milk Thistle promotes bowel regularity

Healthy bile flow is an important factor in maintaining regular, healthy bowel movements, and the liver and gall bladder benefits of Milk Thistle extend to the bowel - it’s traditionally been used in Western herbal medicine to help relieve symptoms of bloating, flatulence and abdominal discomfort.

6. Milk Thistle supports detoxification

One of the liver’s core functions is to detoxify undesirable compounds that either find their way into your body (for example, alcohol that you consume) or are produced as a normal by-product of your metabolic processes. In Western herbal medicine, Milk Thistle is traditionally regarded as helping to promote the liver’s normal detoxification processes. It also helps to protect the liver cells against toxins, and supports the regeneration and renewal of liver cells.

7. Antioxidant properties of Milk Thistle

Milk Thistle contains a group of compounds called flavanolignans, which include the compound silybin. These are potent antioxidants that help to protect liver cells against free radical damage and play an important role in the herb’s actions on the body’s detoxification pathways. Silybin and other flavanolignans are considered central to Milk Thistle’s health benefits, so when shopping for a Milk Thistle supplement, look for a high potency formula that’s been standardised to provide consistent levels of them in every dose.

Mr Vitamins recommends

Fusion Health, premium quality Australian-made supplements that combine the ancient wisdom of Chinese medicine and the science of modern Western herbalism, including:

• Fusion Milk Thistle: High potency, standardised Milk Thistle to support healthy liver function and relieve digestive discomfort

Always read the label. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist consult your healthcare professional.