Re: Milk Thistle

Not to change the subject, but.......

Since I suspect liver congestion, I dug out my milk thisle. I opened 2 capsules and let the bitters sit on my tounge to trigger my liver, then flushed with water. This is 1 gram. What would a dosage be to assist the liver?

It would help to know if the capsules are straight milk thistle seed or leaf or if it is standardized.

I also have some dandelion tea, no dosage is on the label. One or two cups of tea daily is probably all I want to do, is this enough? I suspect liver/kidney congestion from parasites, the parasites are not "suspected" by the way, they are confirmed.

Again it helps to know if you are talking about the root or the leaf.  Most people use the root so I assume this is what you are referring to, although the leaf also functions better as a bitter and is more vitamin rich.  If using the root then two cups a day would be good.

Don't forget B vitamin rich sources to also help the liver with proper detoxification.

In the past, I was of the understanding that milk thisle only aided in keeping the liver healthy, not in detoxification. I will take the posts in this thread that I was incorrect.

Yes and no.  The flavonoids in milk thistle are what lock up the receptors on the liver to protect the liver from liver damaging compounds.  They also play a role in the stimulation of liver regeneration.  But milk thistle does not cleanse the liver unless used as a bitter.  This is why it does not have this effect if used in capsule form since bitters work by stimulation of the bitter receptors on the tongue to in turn stimulate the vagus nerve.

Also, I may have an acute thyroid issue, due to a recent unexplained weight gain. I found some kelp that expired a couple of years ago. They were 325mcg tablets. I figure they have lost potency, so maybe I am getting half the benefit - or not at all? If it turns out my thyroid is not an issue, will supplementing with kelp do any harm?

No, the kelp will still provide benefits.  It may lose some potency from the loss of vitamin content, but the kelp will still provide nutrients such as minerals and its immune stimulating polysaccharides will still be intact.

I'm trying to make due with what I have on hand, so any suggestgions from HV and arn are appreciated.

If you have any turmeric this is also very supportive to the liver.  In fact, it is equally as protective to the liver as milk thistle.  But turmeric is a better antioxidant and anti-inflammatory than milk thistle.

Artichokes,the leaves in particular, are also excellent for the liver.

There are various other herbs that are excellent for the liver as well such as schisandra berry.  But I don't know what you have on hand so the list above are some of the more readily available compounds.