Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)
It's impossible to write a post about detox and liver support without mentioning milk thistle (Silybum marianum).
Few herbs have been researched as extensively and have as much written documentation. In Rosemary Gladstar's excellent herb course, Art and Science of Herbalism, she quotes the following:
“My opinion is that this is the best remedy that grows, against all melancholy diseases”, John Gerard wrote in the 16th century. Melancholy referred to diseases of the liver. In the 17th century, famed herbal/astrologer Nicholas Culpepper decreed milk thistle good for `removing obstructions of the liver and gall bladder’. German researchers taking a lead from these and other early uses of milk thistle began researching milk thistle in the 1970’s to discover that it contained one of the most valuable chemicals for damaged liver tissue.
The milk thistle I use is grown here in Croatia (where I currently live). It is grown by Ante, who is a hobby farmer. He picks the hard kernels (seeds or achenes, i.e., a seed that does not open), grinds them, and presses them into an oil. From what I understand, there are different ways to make milk thistle oil. The kernels are rock hard (like the whole plant, as I have bitterly experienced :-)), so I assume it's not an easy process to press the kernels yourself. Sometimes when I've bought milk thistle oil, it has instead been made by steeping the kernels in a carrier oil. My own highly personal experience is that Ante's oil is the best.
I need to find out more and get back to you about the process; so far, I have primarily enjoyed using this fantastic oil. As I wrote in a previous post, I see super-fast effects when my family and I do our cures. The skin gets a glow, and pimples and breakouts decrease.
Hooray for milk thistle!
Here's my tribute to you:
The white milk from heaven
The name milk thistle does not only come from the milk-like fluid in its leaves. An old legend says that the white marbled pattern on the leaves appeared when a drop of the Virgin Mary's milk fell onto the plant. Therefore, it is also sometimes called Mary's thistle or Our Lady's thistle.
A sacred sign
In medieval monastery gardens, milk thistle was seen as a protective herb with both physical and spiritual properties. They called it Saint Mary's thistle and believed it carried divine healing power.
Symbolism beyond the physical
In folklore, thistles, in general, have been associated with strength, courage, and resilience, but milk thistle particularly with protection and purification. In some traditions, scattered seeds or plant parts are said to protect the home from evil energies.
In esoteric circles, milk thistle is said to not only support the body but also the entire energy field. It is linked to power and breaking energy blockages, as if offering a cosmic detox for both body and soul.
