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Milk Thistle

Silybum marianum

Description:

"Milk thistle is a thistle of the genus Silybum, a flowering plant of the daisy family (Asteraceae). The plant is native to the Mediterranean regions of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The name "milk thistle" derives from a feature of the leaves, which are prominently banded with splashes of white. Historically, these milky bands were thought to be Mother Mary's milk, and this is the origin of another common name, St. Mary's thistle. Many years of research show the active flavanoid-lignan (flavanolignan) group of constituents, called silymarin, contained only in the seed shell has liver-protective and regenerative properties, as well as antioxidant effects. The liver-protective effects were known and written about in ancient times, leading to the active chemical, pharmacological, and safety research beginning in Germany in the 1950s. Clinical use for a variety of liver ailments, such as hepatitis, has also prospered throughout many parts of the world." Reference-http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_thistle

Notes:

I spotted this thistle in Shimla.

1 Species ID Suggestions

VineWorld
VineWorld 11 years ago
Milk Thistle
Silybum marianum


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2 Comments

namitha
namitha 11 years ago

I have changed the ID. Once again thank you.

namitha
namitha 11 years ago

Thank you so much for the ID VineWorld.

namitha
Spotted by
namitha

Himachal Pradesh, India

Spotted on Aug 21, 2010
Submitted on Aug 28, 2012

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Reference

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