Milk thistle
Silybum · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (1 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Milk thistle, scientifically known as Silybum, is a remarkable perennial herb celebrated for its potent medicinal properties. Renowned primarily for its ability to support liver health, this plant contains silymarin, a powerful antioxidant. It has been used for centuries to protect the body against various toxins and inflammatory conditions.
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native range
- Europe
- Parts used
- Not available
- Common names
- Milk-Thistle · Milk Thistle
- Scientific synonyms
- Mariacantha · Mariana
Names and Synonyms
Common Names
- milk-thistle
- milk thistle
Scientific Names
Accepted name
SilybumSynonyms
- Mariacantha
- Mariana
Regional and Traditional Names
German:
- Mariendisteln
- Mariendistel
- Mariendistel
- Mariendisteln
French:
- Chardon-Marie
- Chardon-Marie
Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Further taxonomic progression places it in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Asterales. Finally, it is a member of the family Asteraceae and is categorized under the genus Silybum.
| Rank | Classification |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Streptophyta |
| Class | Equisetopsida |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae |
| Order | Asterales |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Genus | Silybum |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Distribution
This plant is primarily found across various regions of Northern Europe. Its presence is well-documented throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Additionally, the species can be located in the coastal areas of Norway. It also grows within the territories of Denmark and the Faroe Islands. These specific locations define its current geographical distribution in the northern hemisphere.
| Region | Area |
|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark |
| Northern Europe | Føroyar |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain |
| Northern Europe | Ireland |
| Northern Europe | Norway |
| Northern Europe | Sweden |
| Middle Europe | Austria |
| Middle Europe | Belgium |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia |
| Middle Europe | Germany |
Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)
Activities
Silybum has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiprotozoal.
| Activity | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antiprotozoal | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Antiprotozoal
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
Preparations
Silybum has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extract, extracts.
| Preparation | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Extract | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Extracts | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Extract
- Biomeditsinskaia khimiia
Extracts
- Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)