Using plants for detoxification is an ancient holistic approach towards the prevention of many common diseases, not to mention the promotion of overall wellness. Milk thistle for liver detox has been used medicinally to help improve liver function since the late first century, but its use was restricted to only those herbalists who knew the importance of this plant for liver cleansing.

As medical study advanced, along with the need to find alternative methods to promote a better and healthier life, extensive research was carried out to show that milk thistle may help in liver detoxification. Milk thistle for liver detox is being studied extensively as it maybe an essential aid for diseases where the normal liver functions are hampered.

What is Milk Thistle?

Native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, milk thistles are flowering plants of the genus Silybum Adans, and the family Asteraceae. It is called milk thistle because it contains a milky sap, and the leaves are wide with white splash markings. The plant’s height ranges between 4 to 10 feet. It bears red-purple flowers and small hard skinned fruit. The seeds are produced in the flower heads, and are harvested mostly when black in color. One seed head can produce from 100-190 seeds.

It is the milk thistle seed, full of powerful active component, that has caught the attention of many people who slowly began to realize the various milk thistle benefits. These beneficial components of milk thistle can be extracted from its ground seed using hot water at 85°C and 100°C for different components. Milk thistles are very adaptable plants and can grow in most parts of the world.

Functions of the Liver

The liver is the largest internal complex gland in the human body. It is responsible for filtering the blood as all the blood in the body passes through the liver for cleansing.

After cleansing, it neutralizes toxins directly, or converts them into fat or water-soluble forms, and stores it in bile, that the liver secretes and passes to the intestine for elimination. It converts carbohydrates and proteins into fat, and stores it along with vitamins A, D and B12, and copper and iron for later use. It helps to synthesize and control triglycerides and cholesterol, maintains hormone balance, and converts sugar into glycogen and stores it until energy is required.

The liver produces hundreds of vital enzymes needed for digestion and other functions. It prevents the blood from clotting while it is in circulation, and produces clotting effect when we get hurt. Thus, any kind of impairment in the functioning of the liver, as is seen in many liver diseases leads to a need for detoxification. This is where milk thistle for liver detox comes in.

Milk Thistle for Liver Detox

As the seeds of milk thistle ripen, they develop the powerful plant compound called as silymarin. Silymarin is a therapeutic group of flavonoids; silibinin, silidianin and silicristin, that help to protect and thus, are often a part of liver detox recipes. Its property of being an antioxidant controls and inhibits free radicals in the body. Free radicals oxidize the cells leading to many health complications like liver cancer, heart diseases, etc. It helps repair liver cells damaged by alcohol and other toxic substances, and aids in the treatment of cirrhosis and hepatitis. Milk thistle is a very effective liver cleanser and builder, and speeds liver regeneration after being damaged.

Milk thistle for liver detox comes in different forms; liquid, capsules, tablets and tonics, and most preparations contain a standardized quantity of 70 – 80% of silymarin. People who wish to use this wonder plant, must consult a herbalist as well as your doctor to understand its benefits and to rule out side effects of milk thistle, thus, ensuring its correct usage for maximum health benefit.

Article written by: L. Rajeev

Related Detox Articles:

• How to Kill Intestinal Worms
• The Master Cleanse Diet Explained
• 6 Common Detox Methods For Beginners
• Intestinal Parasites: What You Need To Know
• Detox Diet: How to Detox Your Way to Weight Loss

Flickr Image: ProtoFlux

As you may know, it is not uncommon for you to have intestinal parasites. You know, the tiny little organisms that live inside you, leach the nutrients from the food you eat, and cause you to develop serious diseases… yea, those are the parasites I am referring to.

These same parasites will not only live off of the food you eat, but they will actually cause you to become fatigued and tired all the time. It’s likely that you will suffer from many common conditions like diarrhea, nausea, bloating, joint pain, etc. Alot of times, intestinal parasites are to blame for the slow weightloss, when you’ve been exercising and eating right, with no results. So, obviously, you need to get rid of them, to live a healthy life.

How to Get Rid of Intestinal Worms

If you don’t get rid of intestinal parasites, then it’s only a matter of time before the sickness affects your life. You will get sick from intestinal parasites.

Below is a list of ways for you to get rid of parasites the natural way. It’s easy to do, it costs very little money, you just have to know how to do it.

• Coconut Water — Try drinking coconut water throughout the day. You can also mix in coconut milk, coconut oil and eat fresh coconut during this same time period. This is also a great way to help kill off intestinal worms.
• Grated Carrots — Get two organic carrots, perferably at least 6-8 inches long. Grate both carrots and eat first thing in the morning. Do not consume anything before the grated carrots. After you eat both carrots, you can mix in water or some of the juices listed below.
• Spearmint Juice — Try drinking spearmint juice. Maybe add fresh-squeezed lemon juice and/or fresly-crushed black pepper. It’s important to just crush the peppercorn, as this can help kill off parasitic intestinal worms.
• Apple Cider Vinegar & Honey — Mix a pint of water, a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and as much raw honey as you want. Drink this mixture three times a day. This is another home remedy that will help with most intestinal parasites
• Castor Oil & Milk — One remedy that could work, is to drink a pint of milk, and mix in two teaspoons of castor oil along with 2 teaspoonsful of castor oil. You can take the caster oil seperately if you prefer. This will also help kill off intestinal worms.
• Sprague Powder — Mix a small amount of sprague powder, approximately half a gram, with a small amount of molasses. Consume this mixture and it will help kill of most types of parasite worms. Do this a couple of days in a row.

Parasite Cleanse: The Best Alternative to Kill Intestinal Worms

If the above options don’t work, there are many different kinds of diets and cleanses you can do that will help. Doing a parasite cleanse is rather easy to do. All it really takes, is to follow a specific diet and take an herbal mixture that is designed to help kill of intestinal worms.

Herbs that Kill Intestinal Worms

It’s recommended to just buy the pre-made herbal cleanser, but if you want to attempt to make your own, the following herbs are known to help kill off intestinal worms.

Combining these herbs with some of the suggestions above, is going to give you the assurance that you have no parasites living in your colon, but also give you the best chance at fighting off the development of many serious diseases. Protect yourself. It’s the right thing to do.

Related Detox Articles:

• 6 Common Detox Methods For Beginners
• The Master Cleanse Diet Explained
• Intestinal Parasites: What You Need to Know
• Detox Diet: How to Detox Your Way to Weight Loss

Of course, remember before you do any of these cleanses, you should try to follow a detox diet, consisting of high fiber foods and plenty of water. This is the safest, and most effective way to detoxify yourself.

Related Detox Articles & Videos:

• The Skinny on Detox Diets [VIDEO]
• 6 Common Detox Methods For Beginners
• Detox Diet: How to Detox Your Way to Weight Loss