This wild edible is called Milk Thistle and it has been used to help the liver for hundreds, if not thousands of years! The roots, young stalks, leaves and flowers are all edible. The leaves can be a substitute for spinach as long as you remove the spiky thorns on the edge of the leaf.
But, don’t grab it by the thorns though! These prickly leaves can be a pain to touch but worth growing.
We harvested a few leaves to make a nice tea🍵.
It has a few medicinal benefits! It is known to cleanse the liver. Silymarin may help protect liver cells from damage caused by toxins and free radicals.
Milk thistle may aid in blood sugar management by improving insulin sensitivity.
In TCM it’s used to reduce liver inflammation, strengthen and tone the organ. It’s also used to help digest fats. It helps support bile flow to the gallbladder which helps with digestion.
We love growing this beautiful flower in the garden during our summer season. We collect the leaves, flower heads and seeds. Next season, why not try growing Milk Thistle
Just a caution, Milk Thistle is an invasive plant. Make sure to collect the seeds before the flower starts to dry. We like to cover the flower with a mesh net bag to catch the falling seed before we save the flower heads for medicinal use.
Before consuming this herb, please consult your healthcare provider, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are taking any medications. Some herbs may interact with prescription or over-the-counter medications and could cause adverse effects. Your healthcare provider can help determine if this product is appropriate for you.
