Learning with LaRee

Silymarin, a group of compounds, is the active ingredient which provides many of the potent health benefits attributed to Milk Thistle. Besides preventing scarring, it is thought to inhibit the binding of toxins to liver tissue. Silymarin is also used to treat alcoholic liver disease, acute and chronic viral hepatitis, and toxin-induced liver diseases. Silymarin is said to prevent the growth of cancer cells in the prostate, breast, and cervix but there are not scientific studies that I could find that bear this out. However, anecdotal evidence is often the only “proof” that we have of the health benefits of herbal products. Silymarin is also believed to help with diabetes, especially with patients that have become insulin resistant.