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Milk Thistle Seed Benefits

The milk thistle plant goes by many names, including Silybum marianum, St. Mary's thistle and silymarin. Silymarin is the name of the chemically-active component extracted from milk thistle seeds. These seeds are known or believed to have several benefits.
  1. Cirrhosis

    • According to MayoClinic.com, scientific evidence indicates that milk thistle seed extract is effective in reducing the number of deaths associated with cirrhosis of the liver.

    Viral Hepatitis

    • MayoClinic.com and the University of Maryland Medical Center cite milk thistle seed extract as useful in the treatment of viral hepatitis. Both resources state that further research is necessary to strengthen the scientific evidence in favor of this benefit, however.

    Chemotherapy and Cancer Protection

    • University of Minnesota researchers have indicated that the silymarin found in milk thistle seeds can prevent the growth of cancer cells in the cervix, breasts, prostate and skin. It is also effective in protecting the kidneys and liver from the harmful side effects of chemotherapy drugs.