Milk Thistle , Dandilion and licoriche?

Question

Just wondering if snyone can vouche for their effectivness and what benefits they may have . Also what are good brands to use.

Answer 1

Milk thistle seed extract is widely used in Europe for supportive therapy of chronic liver disorders such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc. It has a protective effect on the liver also.

Dandelion tea is used for liver, gallbladder, kidney and bladder ailments, weightloss and as a diuretic. Dried root is weaker than fresh. It's a weak antibiotic. All the plant is edible. Leaves and flowers are rich in Vitamin A. Some people may have contact dermatitis from the latex in the stems and leaves.

wild licorice in poultice form treats earaches. Chewing the fresh root relieves toothaches. Root tea reduces fever.

If you plan on using fresh plants (which are widely available in the US...just go into the woods) use a good field guide, such as Peterson. I haven't personally had need for using any of these for liver disorders, however, the licorice does help with toothache and I find dandelion invaluable. I keep root dried year round and use both the flowers and the young leaves in the spring.

Just learned something from Strath (next answer down) about licorice. Will add it to my notebook. Too bad I can't share some of my dandelion root with you. I have more than enough every year...lol.

Answer 2

Some good answers here, esp. from Lori. Glad to see nobody's dumping on herbal remedies, at least not yet.

Would like to add re licorice: the candy doesn't contain any of it, it's flavored with anise. One has to buy the true dried root, usually at traditional Chinese pharmacies in large cities. It has a pleasant, aromatic taste and sometimes children are given these roots to nibble on. Among its traditional properties in Chinese medicine is that it helps heal lung and respiratory system disorders. It may also protect against commencement of a cancer cell cascade.

But there's a concern. The licorice root contains glycyrrhizin, which can have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system and can raise blood pressure. Licorice preparations that have been deglycrrizinated are often sold, but authorities disagree as to whether these preparations deliver the full medicinal value or not.

I have licorice root, with glycrriza still in it. I might use it in an infusion once a year. If I got colds regularly, I might use it more often, but with caution.

To add also re dandelion: the young fresh leaves are extremely nutritious. More vitamins and minerals than spinach or broccoli. One must be careful to gather them only from non-polluted environments. Personally, I buy very young plants at the Italian outdoor farmers' market in the early spring, then grow them in compost/clean soil in large containers in my garden. For recipes: one chops just-picked leaves for salads, steams them with vegetables, simmers them with rice, noodles, pasta. They have a sharp, slightly bitter taste and are really an addition to countless dishes.

I'd dig up the roots, as Lori writes, but the problem would then be the end of my everlasting summerlong backyard supply of fresh dandelion greens.

Milk thistle is a well-known herb also, praised for its ability to help with a wide range of liver-related disorders. It's often given to cancer patients before they undergo chemotherapy or radiation therapy. The intention is to help the liver process the toxicity that the patient must endure. I have read that milk thistle extract is the only thing that can save the life of a patient who has unfortunately eaten amanita, the deadly mushroom. However, luckily I have no experience with amanita sufferers !

Answer 3

Milk thistle is proven effective in German trials for helping the liver recover from abuse and stay healthy.

Answer 4

Brands???? These are herbs, they don't grow with a label on them.
They are used in medications, as they are very effective as diuretics, they flush toxins out of your system. They make you pee.