Native to the Mediterranean region, Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) is indigenous to both western and central Europe and is now found in the United States. An annual or biennial herb growing up to 10 feet tall, Milk Thistle has a large bright purple ...
* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description
Native to the Mediterranean region, Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) is indigenous to both western and central Europe and is now found in the United States. An annual or biennial herb growing up to 10 feet tall, Milk Thistle has a large bright purple flowering head. It is often considered a pesky weed. It gains its name from the milk white veins that streak its prickly-edged leaves.
The plant contains the natural chemical substance Silymarin, an active constituent highly concentrated in the fruit, but also found in the seeds and leaves.
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Anonymous - April 30, 2006, 21:37
#10000259
Do you know if Milk Thistle was ever used against mushroom poisoning? SH
ZooScape Moderator - May 1, 2006, 12:00
#10001316
Milk Thistle has been used as a preventive and/or antidote to poisoning by deathcap mushroom (Amanita phalloides). It takes only a handful of this widely distributed fungus to kill an adult, less to kill a child. Animal studies have found that milk thistle extract counteracts the toxic effects of the mushroom when given within 10 minutes of ingestion. If given within 24 hours of ingestion, the herb significantly reduces the risk of liver damage and death. Amanita phalloides mushroom ingestion proves fatal in about half of the cases. In one German hospital test, 60 consecutive people with amanita poisoning were given intravenous silymarin [milk thistle extract] and all of those people survived. Other studies have produced results that are similar, though not as spectacular.
Despite this, I would not recommend that anyone intentionally goes 'mushroom hunting' without any kind of past experience and training. I would certainly not suggest that this would be a guaranteed antidote to mushroom poisoning and should not be relied upon as such.
Directions
Hot tea brewing method: Bring freshly drawn cold water to a rolling boil. Place 1 teaspoon for each cup into the teapot. Pour the boiling water into the teapot. Cover and let steep for 3-7 minutes according to taste (the longer the steeping time the stronger the tea).
Iced tea brewing method (to make 1 liter/quart): Place 6 teaspoons into a teapot or heat resistant pitcher. Pour 1 1/4 cups of freshly boiled water over the tea. Steep for 5 minutes. Quarter fill a serving pitcher with cold water. Pour the tea into your serving pitcher straining the leaves. Add ice and top-up the pitcher with cold water. Garnish and sweeten to taste. [A rule of thumb when preparing fresh brewed iced tea is to double the strength of hot tea since it will be poured over ice and diluted with cold water].
Additional Information
ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
