An Ancient Herb The Greek herbalist Dioscorides catalogued milk thistle in his list of healing plants for liver conditions, improving bile flow and stimulating digestion. The Roman author Pliny was of a similar opinion. Indeed, milk thistle (Silybum marianum) extracts have been used as traditional herbal remedies for almost 2000 years and milk thistle is now extensively cultivated as a healing herb. This is especially true in Germany, where milk thistle is quite popular. Despite its distinctive prickly leaves and milky sap, milk thistle is sometimes confused with a different plant known as blessed or holy thistle (Cnicus benedictus).Special Antioxidant Benefits Silymarin refers to three active flavonoid components of milk thistle: primarily silybin with smaller amounts of silydianin and silychristin. This trio neutralizes toxins and improves liver function.* Its action rests primarily upon the ability to inhibit production and activity of hepatotoxic (liver toxic) compounds.* More recent evidence indicates that it benefits the health of several other organs as well.