Thistle oil: the benefits and harm, composition and use
Milk thistle oil - a product that can be used to improve well-being. This article will tell you more about the benefits, harms, composition and methods of application of this tool.
What it is?
Milk thistle is required to make this oil product. This plant is considered by many to be a weed, as milk thistle is quite unpretentious, it can grow in places with different climates.
This plant belongs to the Astrov family, to the biennial group. On a powerful stem are spines. This should not be forgotten to people who want to prepare milk thistle for future use. Collect this plant in the season of its maturation is in protective gloves. This will reduce the risk of damaging the delicate skin of the hands.
This plant begins to bloom from about mid-summer. The timing of the appearance of flowers is largely influenced by climate. So, in hot time, the first flowers may appear on the plant by the end of June. After the thistle flowers bloom, seeds form in their place. They are used for the preparation of healing vegetable oil.
Scientists began to study the benefits of milk thistle from the middle of the 20th century. A group of researchers from Germany after conducting a series of scientific experiments in 1968 determined that the oil prepared from this plant brings significant benefits to the body. Such scientific developments formed the basis for the manufacture of many drugs and dietary supplements. To this day, they are used in medicine mainly for the treatment of various diseases of the liver and bile ducts.
It is possible to make an oil product from milk thistle seeds by applying various methods. If you wish, you can try to prepare such a useful tool even at home. However, this process is quite time consuming and complex. People who do not have a lot of free time to prepare this healing product at home, you can simply buy it at the pharmacy.
Currently, the pharmaceutical market presents a huge variety of such products. Thus, the oil from this plant is produced in bottles of different volumes, as well as in capsules. The choice of a particular form of release is always left to the buyer. So, people who do not like the taste of this oil, it is better to buy capsules. They are used inside much easier.
However, some people prefer to still use the oil, prepared from the seeds of milk thistle, in bottles, as the taste properties of the product does not irritate them at all.
Chemical composition
Despite the fact that milk thistle refers to the weeds growing along the roads, it contains many biologically active components that can improve the functioning of the human body. Moreover, these substances affect several internal systems of the body. When used, milk Thistle inside “starts” a cascade of biochemical reactions that contribute to improving well-being.
The chemical composition of the oil, made from milk thistle, is unique. It contains many biologically active components, as well as a number of vitamins and minerals. The table below shows the main substances with which this oil product is rich.
Group of substances | Representatives |
Vitamin complex | Group B, tocopherol, vitamins D and K, carotene, ascorbic acid |
Minerals | Boron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, copper, chromium, aluminum, selenium, molybdenum, vanadium |
This oil product is also rich in specific plant components - flavonoids. They have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the body's immune system. These substances also contribute to the improvement of exchange reactions occurring in the cells of the human body.
The oil product, made from the seeds of milk thistle, also contains unique components that are relatively rare in nature - flavolignans. Microbiologists have recently learned about the benefits of these components for the human body. Currently, scientific experiments are continuing to study the mechanism of the action of these substances on the work of the cells of the body. However, scientists say that silidianin, silybin and other substances belonging to the group of flavolignans are very good for health.
The oil prepared from the seeds of milk thistle is a very high-calorie product. 100 grams of this product contains about 885 kcal. The main part of the nutritional value in this case falls on plant lipids. So, in 100 grams of oil, their content is 97 g.
It is worth noting that The most useful oil product is the one that was made using cold pressing technology. In the manufacture of oil through this technology, they retain the maximum number of biologically active substances that can improve the functioning of the cells of our body. Cold pressed oil also contains chlorophyll. This component improves the processes of cellular respiration.
The lipid profile of a thistle oil is represented by various components. So, this oil product contains polyunsaturated fatty acids, among which is linoleic acid. This component is very important for the human body, in particular, for the central nervous system.
This oily product contains omega-9 fatty acid. This component affects the condition of the blood vessels. It also contributes to the normalization of the blood lipid spectrum.
Beneficial features
Milk thistle oil will help improve health. Interestingly, this product is used to treat various pathologies in both folk and traditional medicine. When treating diseases, this remedy should be used strictly according to certain indications. In this case, the numerous medicinal properties of milk Thistle oil will contribute to the improvement of the overall condition of the body.
This product is due to the presence in it of many antioxidants used to improve the immune system. In order to strengthen the immune system, a single dose of milk thistle is not enough. To normalize the functioning of the immune system, this product should be used systematically (if necessary, even several times a year).
Milk thistle oil helps to recover faster from various serious diseases. It contains vegetable lipids, as well as biologically active components that help the body depleted of the disease to normalize their work faster.
It is no coincidence that this product is recommended by people from traditional medicine to people who, due to certain severe pathologies, have to stay in bed for a long time.
Milk thistle is often associated with a plant that helps with various liver diseases. And this is true. This plant is a real storehouse of plant components that have a beneficial effect on the work of this organ of digestion.
Normally, the hepatic tissue is represented by individual cells - hepatocytes. It is in them that the detoxification of various toxic substances that enter our body from the external environment, as well as the production of substances necessary for good digestion, occurs. However, if for some reason the functioning of the liver cell structures is disturbed, this leads to the formation of a number of pathologies - hepatosis, cirrhosis, hepatitis, and many others.
Liver treatment is a long process. In order to normalize the work of the hepatocyte takes a lot of time.The milk thistle oil contains components that accelerate the processes of cellular regeneration of damaged liver cells at times. This action contributes to the fact that after a few weeks of taking this oil in a person receiving it, the well-being and digestion processes in general improve.
However, this oil product brings great benefits not only to the cells of the liver. It also has a good effect on the synthesis of bile. The composition of the bile secretion is rather complicated. It contains various ingredients that are necessary for good digestion. If the composition of bile changes as a result of impaired hepatocyte activity, this can lead to the fact that a person has unpleasant symptoms: heaviness on the right under the ribs, nausea, bloating and many others.
Thistle oil helps to improve the composition of the bile secretion. The fatty components present in it also help to improve the flow of bile through the bile ducts. This action contributes to the fact that the digestive processes are improving, and the risk of biliary dyskinesia is reduced. Specialists of traditional medicine recommend to use this oil product to people who have a high predisposition to the development of this disease.
Milk thistle oil is a unique tool that improves not only the digestive system. It also helps reduce the risk of developing many dangerous pathologies of heart vessels. Vegetable lipids present in this oil product help to normalize the lipid balance in the body, as well as reduce cholesterol. If the blood lipid profile is not disturbed, then the likelihood of the development of dangerous diseases of the coronary blood vessels that provide blood supply to the myocardium (cardiac muscle) is reduced. This contributes, for example, to reducing the risk of developing such a dangerous disease as a heart attack.
Favorably affects this product and blood clotting processes. Against the background of its use, the risk of thrombotic pathologies is reduced, in which blood clots form in the arteries feeding the internal organs. This action helps to reduce the oxygen deficiency of body tissues, as well as reduce the risk of cerebral ischemia and myocardium.
Traditional medicine experts recommend using milk thistle oil for the prevention of the development of hypertension, cardiosclerosis and other pathologies of the cardiovascular system. However, they note that in order to really achieve a tangible result, to use such an oil product should be courses lasting several weeks.
Milk thistle oil is very useful for men's health. It is rich in herbal ingredients that have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the prostate. Thus, the use of this oil helps to reduce the risk of developing prostate adenoma. Contained in this oil and substances that strengthen the walls of blood vessels that provide blood supply to the genitals in men. Such action also contributes to the preservation and strengthening of men's health.
It is possible to use this oil even if there are problems with potency. The decline of "male power" can occur for various reasons. Usually such changes occur in the male body after 35–40 years. In order to improve the potency, doctors recommend using an integrated approach. The use of milk thistle oil helps to improve the work of the male genital organs, which ultimately leads to an increase in "male power".
This oil product is suitable not only for representatives of the strong half of humanity. It can also be used for women. This tool helps to cope with some gynecological problems. So, experts recommend using this oil. in the complex treatment of diseases that occur with the development of hormonal imbalance. The herbal ingredients contained in this oil have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the female reproductive system.
Milk thistle oil is often prescribed to women who have been on an unbalanced diet for a long time. During such an unhealthy diet in the body, adverse changes occur in the liver, gallbladder and many other organs, which leads to exhaustion and deterioration of health. In order to normalize the functioning of the digestive system, it is recommended to start the exchange intake of thistle oil. However, this tool is usually written out in the form of capsules.
Milk thistle oil can be used not only for adults. This product is used to treat certain pathologies and in children. It is worth noting that parents should not resort to the use of such an oil without prior agreement with the pediatrician doctor. In the thistle oil still contains a lot of herbal ingredients that can trigger the appearance of discomfort symptoms in the baby. An experienced pediatrician should evaluate the feasibility of using such a natural drug in a child in the treatment of a particular pathology.
Milk thistle oil products are used in babies to treat various pathological conditions of the liver tissue. In some cases, these drugs are used in the treatment of various dermatoses and skin diseases. To normalize the well-being of the child, not only milk thistle oil is used, but also decoctions and infusions prepared from this plant.
Drinking constantly such funds is not worth it. The course of treatment is determined individually, but on average it is usually not less than 10-14 days.
Contraindications and harm
Thistle oil can only be used for certain indications. If there are none, then doctors do not recommend using this oil. Otherwise, the risk of developing undesirable symptoms is quite high.
Absolute contraindications also exist for this product. These include allergies and individual intolerance to this plant. If such pathological conditions exist, then in this case it is impossible to use products made from any parts of milk thistle under any circumstances.
You should not take this herbal remedy also during pregnancy and lactation. It is forbidden to take this product for gallstone disease. If there are stones in the gallbladder, then after taking this oil, they can begin their movement along the ducts. This can provoke obstruction (blockage) - an emergency condition requiring an urgent surgical operation.
Caution should be used this tool also to people suffering from chronic cholecystitis. For any inflammatory pathologies of the gallbladder, this product can be used only after prior consultation with a general practitioner.
In some cases (especially when the risk of gallstones is high) it is not possible to take milk thistle oil. To determine the possibility of this tool in such a situation should be a qualified doctor.
How to use the oil?
To achieve the desired result, thistle oil should be taken correctly. If the dosage of consumption is not followed, then to achieve a better state of health will not work. Drink milk from milk thistle should be only with good portability of this product. If against the background of his reception appear adverse symptoms, then in this case from its use should be abandoned.
Oil products made from milk thistle are used in gynecology. They help reduce inflammation and also have a healing effect.You can use this product for external use. For example, this tool helps to cope with the adverse symptoms of atrophic obesity. This pathology is often accompanied by itching. Milk thistle oil can also be used to eliminate this adverse symptom.
This oil product is used not only for the treatment of various genital pathologies. Milk thistle oil also helps to slow down the risk of age-related changes.
To enhance the effect, you can apply the oil product with selenium. With such a combined reception, the risk of developing many pathologies of the reproductive sphere is also reduced.
The oil, made from milk thistle, is recommended for people who can not give up bad habits: smoking or drinking alcohol. Cigarettes and alcoholic beverages contain substances that have a negative effect on liver cells, leading to their damage. In order to reduce this effect, specialists in traditional medicine recommend using 15 drops of milk oil made from milk thistle per day.
This vegetable oil can also be used to eliminate the discomfort of hemorrhoids. Reviews of many people who used milk Thistle oil indicate that, against the background of its use, they managed to significantly reduce the uncomfortable manifestations of this pathology.
However, this oil can be taken orally: 1 tsp. twice a day, 30–35 minutes before meals, and also lubricate the anal area. The course of treatment is 15-20 days.
Slimming
An oil made from milk thistle helps to lose weight. The components present in it help to speed up the digestion, and thus it becomes easier to achieve weight loss. So, against the background of the reception of this herbal remedy improves the chair. The active work of the large intestine also contributes to the fact that the processes of weight loss are better.
To normalize the weight of this product should be taken on 1 tsp. three times a day before eating for 2-3 weeks.
Pancreatitis
For treatment of the pancreas, a cold pressed oil product should be used. This product contains many components that contribute to the improvement of the work of this organ of digestion.
Specialists of traditional medicine note that the use of this product helps to reduce the risk of complications of this pathology.
Application in cosmetology
This oil product can be used to care for problem skin. So, this natural remedy helps to clean the skin of the face from various purulent rashes, and is also a panacea for acne. For processing it is better to use warm oil, which is slightly warmed up in a water bath. Apply the thistle oil to clean skin twice a day.
This herbal remedy is also used for hair care. The natural components contained in it help strengthen the hair follicles. Masks with the addition of this oil also help to make the hair more silky. On the background of the use of thistle oil, hair loss is also reduced.
See the next video for more details on the properties of milk thistle oil.