Does Milk Thistle Really Cure Hangovers?
May 31, 2022
Big whistle for milk thistle!
Milk thistle is a proper herbal old timer. It’s been used by humankind since the dawn of time to help treat ailments all over the body.
But what exactly is milk thistle?
The active ingredients in Milk Thistle are called silymarin.
Silly-what?
Silymarin is a group of active plant compounds found in Milk Thistle. They’ve been shown to have properties which are..
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antiviral
Silymarin has been shown to improve the condition of the liver, particularly helping with damaged liver cells that have been affected by alcohol poisoning.
Does it really help with hangovers?
Feeling a bit fragile?
We hate to break it to you, but, there is no all-in-one solution for the dreaded hangover. But there’s certainly one thing you can do to help reduce the effects of alcohol.
The active compounds in Milk Thistle have been shown to protect liver cells - which can be damaged thanks to alcohol. The compounds have been known to block toxins from entering the liver, giving your liver a refreshing herbal cleanse.
When to take Milk Thistle
Got a night out on the horizon? We recommend taking a little Milk Thistle just before you start your drinking sesh. If you’re really dedicated and super-organised, try taking it a week leading up to the day you’ll be consuming alchohol, to give your liver a nice big herbal hug before you load it up with booze.
If you’ve got a sensitive stomach, it’s a good idea to take milk thistle with (or just after) your meal.
Other Health Benefits of Milk Thistle
Not only can it help nourish the liver before a heavy drinking session, but Milk Thistle has been shown to help with other health conditions, through research.
Death Cap Poison Antidote
If you ever fancy a little snack whilst on a hike in the wild, don’t touch Death Cap mushrooms. They are highly toxic; they’re called Death Cap for a reason! Consumption of Manita Phalloides can have disastrous consequences, leading to fatal liver damage. Milk Thistle is a natural antidote - as its active compounds neutralise the toxicity of the Death Cap.
We hope you don’t ever have to use this knowledge in real life - but it’s always good to know in case you ever accidentally munch toxic mushrooms after a forage. It’s also the kind of knowledge which might win you a couple of points at a pub quiz.
Heart health and diabetes
Milk Thistle has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, which can lower the chance of the body developing heart disease. A 2006 study showed that milk thistle reduced LDL (‘bad cholesterol’) levels by a huge 86%. This study however, only seemed to affect the cholesterol levels of those who had diabetes - sparking further research into the area.
Fancy testing it out for yourself?
Check out our very own Milk Thistle supplements, by MOBU. Our tablet pouches consist of either 120 tablets, or 360. They’re available just as a one-time-buy-to-try, or you can subscribe so you’ve always got an endless supply of your new favourite hangover cure.
