Milk Thistle

Product information

Scientific Name: Silibum marianum

Seed Shape: Long oval

Seed Size: 6-8 mm long, 3 mm broad and 1.5 mm thick

Seed Colour: Glossy Brown

Usage: Propagation

Age: Fresh

Origin: India

Packing: In plastic bag

Seed availability: Throughout the year

General Details

Botanical Name: Silibum marianum

English Name: Marian thistle, Mary thistle, Saint Mary's thistle

Hindi Name: Bhat-kataiya, Dudhi

Family: Asteraceae

Propagation: By seeds

Medicinal Properties

Seeds: Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Liver protectant, Anticarcinogenic.

General characteristics

Milk thistle is native to the Mediterranean, but is now widespread throughout the world. This stout thistle usually grows in dry, sunny areas. The stem branches at the top, and reaches a height of 5 to 10 feet.

The leaves are wide, with white blotches or veins. The flowers are red-purple. The small, hard-skinned fruit is brown, spotted, and shiny. Milk thistle is easy to grow, and it matures quickly in just few months. 

Medicinal Uses

Milk thistle is widely used in the treatment for viral hepatitis (particularly hepatitis C), alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis. Silymarin and other active substances in milk thistle may help reduce the risk of skin cancer.

It is also used for treatment of diabetes, kidney damage caused by diabetes, hangover, diseases of the spleen, prostate cancer, inflammation in the lungs and chest, malaria, depression, uterine complaints, increasing breast milk flow, allergy symptoms, starting menstrual flow, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, high cholesterol, and menopausal symptoms.