Our liver plays a major role in our body. Not only is it the largest internal organ we have, it also stores nutrients such as certain vitamins, minerals, and iron, and plays a role in synthesizing and managing levels of certain chemicals and proteins in the body, such as cholesterol, hormones, and sugars. It helps the body digest food by producing a substance called bile, which is stored in the gallbladder.

When we take substances into our bodies such as alcohol, or the least obvious such as medications, our liver must work on removing its toxic properties for us. All of this work can often tax our liver. But there is a natural way to help strengthen your liver and it's through the herb milk thistle.

Milk thistle is a plant that is native to the Mediterranean region. Herbalists have used it for thousands of years. The plant has many names including Mary thistle and holy thistle, but its Latin name is Silybum marianum.

The milk thistle's stem is tall, branched and furrowed but not spiny. The large, alternate leaves are waxy-lobed, toothed and thorny, as in other genera of thistle. The lower leaves are cauline (attached to the stem without petiole). The upper leaves have a clasping base. They have large, disc-shaped pink-to-purple, rarely white, solitary flower heads at the end of the stem. The flowers consist of tubular florets. The phyllaries under the flowers occur in many rows, with the outer row with spine-tipped lobes and apical spines. The fruit is a black achene with a white pappus.

Increasing research is being undertaken on the physiological effects, therapeutic properties and possible medical uses of milk thistle. What makes milk thistle so medicinal? It is an active compound called silymarin. Silymarin, a term that is often interchangeably used with milk thistle, can be extracted from the seeds. The silymarin is used to prepare capsules, extracts, and infusions (strong teas).

Silmarin is an antioxidant or free radical scavenger. Skin care products often contain silymarin because it antioxidant activity may reduce the risk for skin cancer risk. Silymarin also provides protection against different stages of UVB-induced carcinogenesis. We know silymarin or milk thistle as the liver protector and it does this by promoting the growth of new liver cells and by inhibiting lipid peroxidation.

Silymarin is also used against HIV and studies indicate that silymarin is helping decrease endogenous insulin overproduction and the need for exogenous insulin administration. Silymarin has also anti-atherosclerotic activity, by inhibiting the expression of adhesion molecules. It is also used in the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis B and C.

Silymarin or milk thistle is also a gentle and mild laxative. This is due to its ability to increase bile secretion and flow in the intestinal tract. This herb can have actions ranging from lubrication and softening of the stools to a mild laxative effect. Milk Thistle is also a Demulcent, meaning that it soothes and moistens the mucus membranes. Being a demulcent, it also greatly softens and moistens the skin. Patients with skin problems ranging from acne to severe eczema have reported a clearing of skin and a noticeable glow and radiance to the skin quality.

Besides benefiting our liver, Milk Thistle is also known to:

-Lowering cholesterol levels

-Reducing insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes who also have cirrhosis

-Reduce the growth of cancer cells in breast, cervical, and prostate cancers.

-Reduce the effects of a hangover.

Milk Thistle can be taken in a capsule form or one can make tea of it. To make tea is different than making your other types of herbal tea. You cannot make a medicinal cup of tea out of milk thistle seed and water alone. The active compound silymarin, is alcohol soluble, which means it is not extracted in water effectively - this is why capsules are more highly recommended. But, if you are set on making milk thistle tea, your best bet is to find a high quality extract, heat up a cup of water to near boiling, and then add the extract to the water.

There are no known contra-indications to Milk Thistle supplements. There is, however, a caution for HIV patients, because many medications taken by individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS (PHAs) - such as protease inhibitors and non-nukes are processed by the liver enzyme CYP3A4 which is decreased by Silymarin.

The suggested dose of milk thistle is generally 12 to 15 grams of dried herb (200 to 400 mg silymarin) per day or silymarin-phosphatidylcholine complex 100 to 200 mg two times per day. For liver protection, 120 mg silymarin (about 2 capsules) two times per day. For liver damage from alcohol, drugs, or chemicals, the recommended dosage of silymarin-phosphatidylcholine should be increased from two times per day to three times per day. Dosage should be adjusted by an adults or child's weight. Most herbal dosages for adults are calculated on the basis of a 150 lb (70 kg) adult. Therefore, if the child weighs 50 lb (20 to 25 kg), the appropriate dose of milk thistle for this child would be 1/3 of the adult dosage.

So does your liver need a tune-up? Go the natural way and give the ancient herbal practice of using Milk Thistle a shot.