Milk Thistle

the seed extract silymarin and silibinin, are one of the most studied hepatoprotective agents in medicine, with an established role as an antidote in Amanita phalloides poisoning (intravenous silibinin ((Legalon SIL)) is used clinically for death cap mushroom poisoning), plus antidiabetic, anticancer, kidney-protective, and milk-promoting activity.

the seed extract (silymarin) protects, repairs, and regenerates the liver.
it neutralizes the oxidative damage behind liver disease, seals the liver cell membranes so toxins cannot get in.
actively triggers the liver to grow new healthy cells by activating DNA and ribosomal RNA polymerase to rebuild cells.
slows the scarring that leads to cirrhosis by inhibiting collagen deposition.
good for fatty liver, alcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and protective against carbon tetrachloride, acetaminophen, halothane.
taken as a standardized silymarin extract, since the compounds barely dissolve in water and tea is close to useless.

Silibinin is a hospital antidote for Amanita phalloides (death cap mushroom) poisoning.
given by IV (about 20 to 50 mg/kg/day for 3 to 4 days), it physically blocks the mushroom toxin from entering liver cells and stops the toxin from recirculating, which dramatically cuts the death rate.
one series reported zero deaths among 16 silibinin-treated patients versus 46 deaths in an untreated comparison group.

lowers blood sugar and improves cholesterol. on diabetes medication, watch for hypoglycemia.
cuts fasting glucose and HbA1c, makes cells more insulin sensitive, and improves the full lipid panel, and it shields the nerves, kidneys, and eyes from diabetic damage.

silibinin has chemopreventive and antiproliferative activity against prostate, breast, epidermal (skin), colon, and lung cancer cells, acting through cell-cycle arrest, apoptosis, and anti-angiogenesis, and it shows synergy with the chemotherapy drugs cisplatin and doxorubicin. it also protects healthy tissue from chemotherapy toxicity.

protects the kidneys the same way it protects the liver, by shielding the tissue from oxidative and drug damage. It guards against kidney injury from chemotherapy and immunosuppressant drugs and improved a key marker of diabetic kidney disease in a trial.

a traditional galactagogue, milk thistle increases breast milk supply.
small trials of silymarin in breastfeeding women reported increased daily milk production.
also because the extract barely enters breast milk it is considered safe while nursing.

silibinin improved memory and cognition and nerve conduction in diabetic models, protected against alcohol-related learning impairment, and shows antioxidant and anti-neuroinflammatory activity relevant to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's research.

the young leaves (despiked), stalks, and flower receptacles are edible like an artichoke relative, and the roasted seeds have been used as a coffee substitute.