Milk Thistle – An Easy to Grow Plant with Numerous Health Benefits

Milk Thistle is a perennial herb called “Doodh Patra” in India.  This herb is known for its therapeutic properties. Milk thistle is native to Europe and is now grown in United States, California, South America, Africa, Australia, and Asia. 

• This plant behaves like weeds and quickly spreads in the entire space, and may absorb all the nutrients and space of nearby plants, so regular hand weeding and pruning is necessary, and try to grow it in pots if possible.

This herb is also known as the Silymarin/ Mary Thistle/ Holy Thistle. Unlike its name, Milk thistle has nothing to do with milk.  

Growing Milk Thistle 

Milk thistle is considered an easy to grow plant and can be grown from seeds. You just need to sow seeds about ½ inch deep in the soil with three feet of space between each hole.   

• Also, many people prefer to grow milk thistle indoors for medicinal purposes. 

• Either sunny or half-shade location is suitable for this plant

• It requires little to no irrigation, watering is necessary only until the initial growth stage.

• It can be grown in all kinds of soil

In India, Milk thistle is cultivated in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. 

Why Milk Thistle is becoming Popular? 

Milk thistle is slowly becoming popular in India. Although it hasn’t reached the common farmers yet, the government is making all necessary efforts for it. The specialty of this plant is that it requires less water for cultivation, and can be cultivated in any type of soil.  

The most important thing about this plant is its medicinal properties, its seeds are used in medicines, and leaves are used in Ayurveda. The health benefits of milk thistle seeds and plants are- 

• Treats liver diseases

• Useful for diabetes patients

• Stimulates protein synthesis in the liver

• Used to treat snake bites

• Useful for chronic uterine problems

• Useful in menstrual difficulties

• Boosts immune system

• Reduces Cholesterol

• Treats gallbladder disorders

• Treats kidney problems 

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