Herbal teas usually contain herbs, flowers, and spices, and these are very delightful with plenty of health benefits. Milk thistle tea is one such herbal that comes with many nutrients and health benefits. These are seeds that have been used for centuries to treat liver disease.
Milk thistle is native to North America and Southern Europe, which grows more than 3 ½ feet in height. The plant has red-violet flowers, and as per traditional Christians, the white pattern present on the fine leaves comes from the milk of the Virgin Mary.
These medicinal plant seeds have protective and regenerative properties that are perfect for the regeneration of liver cells. This is because of its main component, silymarin, which treats the poisoning by deadly amanita phalloides mushroom.
It has miraculous effects on extreme cases of hepatitis, liver degeneration, and gallbladder ailments.
What Is Milk Thistle Tea?
Silybum Marianum is the botanical name of the milk thistle plant, named due to its main constituent, silymarin. This flowering plant belongs to the same family as daisy flowering plants. The milk thistle is also known as holy thistle and Mary thistle. Both milk thistle seeds and milk thistle leaves can be infused to prepare milk thistle tea. Since it is caffeine-free, it can be consumed at any time of the day.
Flavor
Milk thistle tea has a mild, slightly sweet flavor. You can compare it to dandelion tea, and have stronger floral and mild earthy undertones. Either honey or milk can be added to the tea to make it sweeter to taste and creamy texture.
Milk thistle tea boosts immunity and fights common cold and flu. It also has antiviral as well as antibacterial properties that can fight harmful pathogens in the body.
Making Milk Thistle Tea
Milk thistle tea can be found in both fresh and dried loose leaf tea form. It can also be found in the form of teabags. Making thistle tea is very easy, as many of the herbal teas.
- Take some filtered water in a pan and bring to boil.
- If you are using milk thistle seeds, crush them in a mortar.
- Add milk thistle seeds, tea bags, or leaves.
- Let it steep for 20 minutes.
- Strain the tea using a fine-mesh strainer.
- Add some honey or milk as per your taste and serve.
How To Use Milk Thistle Tea?
Unlike many herbal teas, milk thistle does not extract well while brewing tea. Hence, if you are using seeds, make sure to crush them well before using them. Drink milk thistle tea thrice or four times a day. Have a cup of it 30 minutes before meals that are before breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can have your fourth cup of it before bed. Have it this way for at least 2 to 3 days and then reduce the number to thrice a day.
Milk Thistle Tea for Liver Health
Use this blend of tea for the best results and treat your liver. This does wonder even in extreme liver damage and hepatitis. Moreover, it doesn’t have any side effects. Drink this tea thrice a day.
Ingredients
- Milk thistle seeds - 1 oz
- Peppermint seeds - ½ oz
- Fennel seeds - ½ oz
Recipe
Take some filtered water in a pan and add all the ingredients to it. Let it steep for 20 minutes and strain it.
Milk Thistle Tea for Stomach Problems
For GI or gastro-intestinal problems like excess gas, upper abdominal discomfort, etc., this blend works amazingly.
Ingredients
- Milk thistle seeds - 1 ½ oz
- Dandelion root - 1 oz
- Chicory root - ¾ oz
- Fennel seeds - ¾ oz
Recipe
Take some filtered water in a pan and bring it to boil. Add the above ingredients to it and let it brew for 20 minutes and then strain.
Milk Thistle Tea for Venous Pain and Varicose Veins
For treating open leg wounds, strengthening the walls of the veins, and sealing the tissues around the wound, this blend of milk thistle tea works very well. You can drink this tea and also use some to use it as a compress.
Ingredients
- Milk thistle tea - 1 ½ oz
- Calendula flowers - 1 oz
- Hazel leaves - 1 oz
Recipe
Take some filtered water in a pan and boil it. Add the above ingredients to it and let it steep. Strain the required amount of tea and use it as a compress or drink it.
There are plenty of health benefits of milk thistle tea, and you can use plenty of blends to increase its effectiveness for the purpose you are using it. Among all the medicinal properties, it increases the healing of liver ailments, especially severe conditions like hepatitis, liver degeneration, etc. However, it is always required and suggested to consult a doctor before trying any herbal remedies as these may also have side effects. Consult a doctor or an herbalist and benefit out of milk thistle tea.
