Monterey Club Milk Thistle Powder 454 Grams

Milk thistle is a pasture plant found throughout Europe and the Pacific Northwest of the US, although it is indigenous to the Mediterranean. Like other thistles, the plant protects itself with sharp thorns, which are memorable when brushed against. Our organic milk thistle powder is ground from organically harvested milk thistle.

For centuries, the entire milk thistle plant (sans thorns) has been cultivated for food, most notably in European monastery gardens. The plant contains compounds collectively known as silymarin, which are toxic to livestock but provide the modern emergency antidote to mushroom poisoning in people.

These seeds are pleasant tasting and a good source of protein and amino acids. Powdered milk thistle seed is a convenient way to enjoy this herb in smoothies, yogurt and other foods.

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powdered
milk thistle seed

Pleasant, with a slightly nutty flavor.

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powdered
milk thistle seed

Milk thistle is a member of the daisy or sunflower family and is characterized by tall erect stems with mottled, toothed alternative leaves that yield a milky liquid. The upper leaves support purple flower heads that are composed of tube-like florets surrounded by thorny spines. A hardy plant, milk thistle is commonly found growing along wayside paths and in pastures.

Milk thistle seeds contain up to 3% flavonolignans, primarily silybin A and B, a mixture referred to as silibinin. Other compounds include isosilybin A and B, silychristin and silydianin. These agents are together known as silymarin. The seeds also contain up to 30% fatty oil, vitamin E and the flavonoids apigenin, quercetin, taxifolin and naringenin.

Historically in ancient Rome and Greece this herb was used for liver disorders, but has also been grown by many cultures as a food. In Arab culture the young leaves are considered a delicacy and are added raw to salads. In medieval Europe all parts of the plant were eaten like a vegetable: the young roots were roasted; the peeled stems were braised or stewed; the spiny flower heads prepared like artichoke; and raw leaves (with stingers removed) were added to salad.