Milk Thistle-Thistle Family

Silybum marianum

blessed milk-thistle, spotted thistle, variegated thistle

Characteristics. This common annual or biannual broadleaf is distributed widely in the western US. Although considered toxic to livestock, the bigger concern is establishment in rangeland or pastures with dense stands displacing native or beneficial forage species. Dense, established milk thistle stands in California reportedly produce 1.4 million viable seeds and 4 tons of vegetation per acre. Heavy infestations limit the movement of livestock and prevent access to water. Low weed densities are able to displace a high number of pasture plants, as the rosette of a milk thistle plant can reach 3 feet in diameter. As indicated milk thistle can be lethal when ingested by livestock, particularly in the early wilting stage -whether it wilts from mowing, drought, or herbicide application. Silybin (a chemical component of this plant)) is an antioxidant and also alters the membrane structure of the liver cell, blocking the absorption of penetrating toxins into the cells. Silybin stimulates the production of new liver cells to replace damaged cells. An injection of silybin is an antidote for Death Cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) poisoning. Milk thistle is kept in German hospitals for emergency treatment of Death Cap poisonings

Identifying Characteristics. The first true leaves are spiny and mottled white around the veins. Mature plants are stiff, 2 to 6 feet tall, and sparsely branched. Lower leaves are up to 2 feet long, with leaf size diminishing towards the top of the plant. Leaves are spiny and deeply lobed with leaf bases that wrap around the stem. A distinguishing characteristic of milk thistle is the white patches, or marbling found along the veins of the dark green leaves veins. This distinguishes this from other thistles such as Italian, bull and Canadian.

Flowers are nearly spherical, reddish purple to purple, and shiny with typically one flower per stem. Flower bracts sport spines up to 2 inches long.

Milk thistle has been used for almost two thousand years especially in treating different liver diseases and conditions (liver inflammation, cirrhosis and liver damage or gallbladder infections). It cal also benefit in decreasing cholesterol levels and reducing possibilities for growth of cancer cells.

Milk thistle side effects are minor and not very common, but knowing them can help in some situations. Consuming milk thistle in great amounts can lead to minimal to severe headaches. This supplement can also cause mild laxative effect. Right after that, problems with gases may occur, upset stomach and bloating, too. You might also feel weak in general.

Some patients have reported insomnia which can also lead to weakness, tiredness and fatigue. (We all know that insomnia affects the immune system as well). There were even few cases of impotency and sexual drive changes. Other side effects of milk thistle usage could be skin issues like rashes, problems related to heart, loss of appetite etc. All of these milk thistle side effects are usually mild and not too serious. However there can be rather annoying side effects like itching, lip swelling; swollen throat, tongue or even the whole face.

Breathing problems have been reported as well. Using anything in larger doses than prescribed is harmful. The same is with milk thistle. Do not consume it in larger amount than your body needs. There is a risk of an overdose and you might have problems. Do not forget to consult your doctor before you start using milk thistle.

Important Characteristics to Control. Annual thistles are most susceptible to chemical control in the fall. Biennial thistles are most susceptible to control in the early spring, in the rosette stage. For specific chemical control recommendations, refer to the Pacific Northwest Weed Control Handbook, updated annually. An integrated pasture management approach is effective in thistle control. Practices include establishment of perennial pasture species, slashing/mowing, goats as initial grazers, herbicides when necessary, and grazing management. Thistles are the most susceptible to control during the seedling stage, or as they grow from the seedling stage to the rosette state. Goats will graze milk thistle. Less than one percent of seeds passed through their digestive tract, and none of those germinated. Mowing may prolong plant survival for another year producing plants more resistant to chemical control.

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