Silybum marianum

Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.

Asteraceae (Compositae)

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

Annual

  • Nutrient-rich soils
  • ruderal

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Medicinal Complaints / Uses
 
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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn.

Medicinal Complaints / Uses
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

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.

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.