Silybum marianum

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Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.

Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

florapal.org

Asteraceae (Compositae)

  • Blessed Milk-thistle
  • Milk Thistle
  • St.Mary's Thistle
  • gedilan matzuy
  • גְּדִילָן מָצוּי
  • kagh'oub كغعوب
  • khurfesh el-jimal خرفيش الجمال
  • shok el-jamal شوك الجمل
  • sinnariyah سنارية

Annual

  • Nutrient-rich soils
  • ruderal
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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.

System/State Traditional
Complaint/Use
Activity / Interpretation
Traditional
Preparation/ Administration
Parts Used
Source
Endocrine/ Metabolic

Diabetes

Hypoglycemic

Eat fresh stem daily.

Stem B
Gastrointestinal

Constipation

Laxative

Eat fesh stem as needed.

Stem B
Gastrointestinal

Haemorrhoids

Anti-haemorrhoidal

After drying, silvery parts of flower are wrapped into small balls & inserted as anal suppository before sleep.

Flower B
Gastrointestinal

Jaundice

Hepatic

Eat fesh stem until well.

Stem B
Oral Health

Toothache

Analgesic

Eat inner part of stem to clean teeth x3/week.

Stem B
Wound healing

Bleeding wound

Haemostatic

Cut stem, squeeze out juice & apply to wound x1/day.

Stem B

Notes

Cautions

Silybum marianum has mild laxative & other gastric effects including abdominal cramps, bloating, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, weakness, headaches & excess sweating. Allergic reactions include rash especially if sensitive to Asteraceae/ Compositae plants (e.g. chrysanthemums, daisies, marigolds etc). May effect blood sugar levels therefore diabetics should monitor blood glucose. Contraindicated in various hormone sensitive cancers & conditions including ovarian & breat cancer, uterine fibroids etc. Concentrates nitrates in leaves when grown on nitrogen rich soils.

The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.