Milk thistle Health Dictionary

The natural food of all mammalia for a considerable period following their birth. It is practically the only form of animal food in which protein, fat, carbohydrate and salt are all represented in su?cient amount, and it therefore contains all the constituents of a standard diet. Milk is important in human nutrition because it contains ?rst-class animal protein of high biological value; because it is exceptionally rich in calcium; and because it is a good source of vitamin A, thiamine and ribo?avine. It also contains a variable amount of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and of vitamin D – the amount of the latter being higher during the summer months than during the winter months. Raw milk yields 67 Calories (see CALORIE) per 100 millilitres, in which are present (in grams) 87·6 of water, 3·3 of protein, 3·6 of fat, 4·7 of carbohydrate, and 0·12 of calcium. Heat has no e?ect on the vitamin A or D content of milk, or on the ribo?avine content, but it causes a considerable reduction in the vitamin C and thiamine content.

Preparation of milk Milk may be prepared for food in various ways. Boiling destroys the bacteria, especially any Mycobacteria tuberculosis which the milk may contain. It also partly destroys vitamin C and thiamine, as does pasteurisation. Curdling of milk is e?ected by adding rennet, which carries out the initial stage of digestion and thus renders milk more suitable for people who could not otherwise tolerate it. Souring of milk is practised in many countries before milk is considered suitable for food; it is carried out by adding certain organisms such as the LACTIC ACID bacillus, the Bulgarian bacillus, and setting the milk in a warm place for several hours. Sterilisation, which prevents fermentation and decomposition, is usually carried out by raising the milk to boiling temperature (100 °C) for 15 minutes and then hermetically sealing it. Condensed, unsweetened milk – usually known as evaporated milk – is concentrated in vacuo at low temperature; the milk is then placed in tins, which are sealed, and is sterilised by heat at a temperature of 105 °C. This destroys 60 per cent of the vitamin C and 30–50 per cent of the thiamine. Sweetened condensed milk is not exposed to such a high temperature. The sugar, which prevents the growth of micro-organisms, is added before the condensing, and ?nally reaches a concentration of about 40 per cent.

Dried milk is prepared by evaporating all the ?uid so that the milk is reduced to the form of powder. Humanised milk is cow’s milk treated to render it closely similar to human milk.... milk

The temporary teeth of children. (For the time of their appearance, see under TEETH.)... milk teeth

Cirsium species

Description: This plant may grow as high as 1.5 meters. Its leaves are long-pointed, deeply lobed, and prickly.

Habitat and Distribution: Thistles grow worldwide in dry woods and fields.

Edible Parts: Peel the stalks, cut them into short sections, and boil them before eating. The roots are edible raw or cooked.

CAUTION

Some thistle species are poisonous.

Other Uses: Twist the tough fibers of the stems to make a strong twine.... thistle

Carbenia benedicta. N.O. Compositae.

Synonym: Carduus benedictus, Blessed Thistle.

Features ? Thomas Johnson, in his edition of Gerard's Herbal, published in 1636, gives us the following description of this member of the familiar thistle family ? "The stalks of Carduus benedictus are round, rough and pliable, and being parted into diverse branches, do lie flat on the ground ; the leaves are jagged round about and full of

harmless prickles in the edges; the heads on the top of the stalks are set with and environed with sharp prickling leaves, out of which standeth a yellow flower; the seed is long and set with hairs at the top like a beard; the root is white and parted into strings; the whole herb, leaves and stalks, and also the heads, are covered with a thin down."

Action: Although more popular among the old herbalists than among those of to-day. Holy Thistle is still valued for its tonic, stimulant and diaphoretic properties.

Mainly used in digestive troubles, the 1 ounce to 1 pint infusion, given warm in wineglass doses several times daily, is also found capable of breaking up obstinate colds. As it is held to stimulate the mammary glands, the infusion has been given with the object of promoting the secretion of milk.

Tilke is enthusiastic in his praise of the herb ? "I have found it such a clarifier of the blood, that by drinking an infusion once or twice a day, sweeted with honey, instead of tea, it would be a perfect cure for the headache, or what is commonly called the meagrims." The same writer recommends it as a salad "instead of watercresses."

The medicinal use of Holy Thistle goes back far beyond the days of Tilke, or even Johnson. William Turner, Domestic Physician to the Lord Protector Somerset in the reign of King Edward VI, in his Herbal published 1568, agrees with Tilke that the herb is "very good for the headache and the megram."... holy thistle

Blessed Thistle tea is a medicinal beverage useful in treating a large array of ailments such as constipation, but not only. Blessed Thistle Tea description Blessed thistle was at first used in Ayurvedic medicine in India and Bhutan. It was introduced in Europe in the 1500s where it gained the title “blessed” for its use in treating plague. The blessed thistle is a weed with prickly leaves and yellow flowers surrounded by purple spikes, found mostly in North Africa, Western Asia and Southern Europe. The leaves, the flowers and the stem are used to prepare Blessed thistle tea. Blessed Thistle Tea brewing Blessed thistle tea can be prepared in the following way: douse about 1 to 3 dried blessed thistle herb in a cup of boiled water for 5 to 15 minutes. It can then be drunk three times a day before meals. Blessed Thistle Tea benefits Blessed Thistle tea has been successfully used to:

• treat digestive problems, like gas, constipation and stomach upset
• improve appetite
• detoxify the body
• support liver and gallbladder
• stimulate menstrual flow

Blessed Thistle Tea side effects High doses of Blessed thistle tea can cause:

• stomach irritation and vomiting
• liver disease
• gastrointestinal and liver problems and esophageal or nasal cancer

Blessed Thistle tea is a natural remedy to detoxify the body and thus, to enhance the immunity and support the normal functioning of the human organs.... blessed thistle tea is good for health

Milk Thistle tea is a type of herbal tea made from the plant with the same name: milk thistle. The plant has many health benefits, therefore making the tea good for your body. Find out more about the milk thistle tea in this article. About Milk Thistle Tea The main ingredient of the milk thistle tea is, of course, the milk thistle; it is made from the seeds of the plant. The milk thistle is a flowering plant of the daisy family, an annual or biennial herb which grows in the Mediterranean regions of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The stem is tall, branched but with no spines, and has large, alternate leaves. At the end of the stem, there are large flower heads, disk-shaped and pink-purple in color. The fruit of the plants consists of a black achene with a white pappus. The name of the plant comes from the way its leaves look. The edges of the leaves are streaked with milky-white veins. How to prepare Milk Thistle Tea You can easily prepare a cup of milk thistle tea in no more than 10 minutes. First, boil the water necessary for a cup of milk thistle tea. Add one teaspoon of milk thistle tea seeds and then, add the hot water. Let it steep for 4-7 minutes, depending on how strong you want the flavor of the tea to be. During summer, you can also try the iced tea version of the milk thistle tea. Place 6 teaspoons into a teapot or a heat resistant pitcher and then pour one and a half cups of boiled water. Let it steep for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, get a serving pitcher and fill it with cold water. Once the steeping time is done, pour the tea over the cold water, add ice, and then pour more cold water. Add sugar, honey or anything else you want to sweeten the taste. Benefits of Milk Thistle Tea The main health benefit of the milk thistle tea is related to its effectiveness in protecting the liver, thanks to one of its components, Silymarin. Silymarin is the main active ingredient of the milk thistle tea, working both as an anti-inflammatory and as an antioxidant. It helps with cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis, and gallbladder disorders. It also detoxifies the liver, as well as helping it by cleansing the blood. If you’ve got type 2 diabetes, drinkingmilk thistle tea might help you a lot, as well. Some of the benefits of milk thistle tea, related to diabetes, are:decrease in blood sugar levels, improvement in cholesterol and improvement in insulin resistance.  Also, by lowering the LDL “bad” cholesterol levels, milk thistle tea can help lower the chances of developing heart diseases. Other health benefits of milk thistle tea involve increasing the secretion of the bile in order to enhance the flow in the intestinal tract, helping to ease kidney and bladder irritations, and helping to remove obstructions in the spleen. Milk Thistle Tea side effects Despite its important health benefits, don’t forget that there are also a few side effects you might experience when drinking milk thistle tea. If you regularly drink milk thistle teafor a long period of time, it might end up having laxative effects. That can easily lead to diarrhea and, in some rare cases, it can also lead to nausea, gases, and an upset and bloating stomach. You should avoid drinking milk thistle tea if you know that you have a ragweed allergy. In this case, it can cause a rash or lead to more severe allergic reactions. Milk thistle tea also isn’t recommended to women who are pregnant or breast feeding. The main ingredient of milk thistle tea, the milk thistle herb, may mimic the effects of estrogen. Because of this, some women should avoid drinking milk thistle tea. This refers to women who have fibroid tumors or endometriosis, as well as women who are suffering from breast, uterine, and/or ovarian cancer. Also, don’t drink more than six cups of milk thistle tea (or any other type of tea) a day. Otherwise, it won’t be as helpful as it should be. The symptoms you might get are headaches, dizziness, insomnia, irregular heartbeats, vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Try the milk thistle tea! As an herbal tea, it helps you stay healthy, especially by protecting your liver. Still, don’t forget about the few side effects.... discover the milk thistle tea

Purification, Hex Breaking... thistle, holy

Snake Enraging... thistle, milk

To reduce.

Tea. Rosemary. 1 teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes; dose – half-1 cup thrice daily. Tea. Sage. 2 teaspoons to each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes; dose – half-1 cup thrice daily. Old hospital remedy: Epsom’s salts. ... breasts, milk excessive

An estimated 8 per cent of infants suffer from cow’s milk intolerance.

Symptoms. Irritable bowel, respiratory troubles (asthma), skin disorders (eczema) and behavioural problems. Symptoms disappear when dairy products are discontinued but re-appear when they re-enter the diet.

Treatment and prevention. Garlic, for reduction of symptoms. A switch from cow’s to goat’s milk proves effective. Cases are on record of goat’s milk checking irritable bowel and the spread of eczema. ... cow’s milk allergy (cma)

See: VENOUS THROMBOSIS. ... milk leg

The flow of milk does not naturally commence until the third day after delivery when a slight feverishness with chill may be experienced. With filling of the breast and suckling by the child relief is felt. The condition is not usually in need of medication but where difficult, as it can be to anorexics and those in feeble health, a cup of Chamomile tea suffices. Combine with Skullcap for those of nervous disposition. ... milk fever

A technique used by breast-feeding women for removing milk from the breasts.

It may be needed if the woman’s breasts are overfull (see engorgement).

A woman may want to express milk so that it can be given to the baby in her absence, or so that an infant unable to feed at the breast, due to prematurity, for example, can benefit from breast milk.

Milk can be expressed by hand or with a breast pump.... expressing milk

A rare type of hypercalcaemia accompanied by alkalosis and kidney failure. The syndrome is due to excessive, long-term intake of calciumcontaining antacid drugs and milk. It is most common in people with a peptic ulcer and associated kidney disorders. Symptoms include weakness, muscle pains, irritability, and apathy. Treatment is to reduce milk and antacid intake.... milk–alkali syndrome

To promote milk production: Alfalfa, Aniseed, Borage, Caraway, Centuary, Balm, Dill, Fennel, Goat’s Rue, Holy Thistle, Nettles, Burnet Saxifrage, Bitter Milkwort, Marshmallow root, Raspberry leaves, Vervain. John Parkinson (1640) recommended Agnus Castus. Formula (1). Fenugreek seeds 2; Aniseeds 1. Mix. 2 teaspoons to each cup water gently simmered 2 minutes in a covered vessel. Dose: 1 cup 3 or more times daily. Consume seeds.

Formula (2). Equal parts: Goat’s Rue, Raspberry leaves. Mix. 1 heaped teaspoon to each cup boiling water; infuse 5-10 minutes. Dose: 1 cup 3 or more times daily.

Tablets/capsules. Agnus Castus, Fenugreek, Borage. ... breasts, milk scanty

A magnesium preparation as an antacid and laxative drug.... milk of magnesia

A thin, white discharge from the nipple of a newborn infant, caused by maternal hormones that entered the fetus’s circulation through the placenta. Witches’ milk occurs quite commonly. It is usually accompanied by enlargement of 1 or both of the baby’s breasts. The condition is harmless and usually disappears spontaneously within a few weeks.... witches’ milk

prolonged jaundice lasting several weeks after birth in breast-fed babies for which no other cause can be found. It improves with time and is not an indication to stop breast-feeding.... breast-milk jaundice

see Appendix 12.... milk formulas

a spotty red facial rash that is common during the first few months of life; it disappears without treatment.... milk rash