quick question on milk thistle brand

[aldensmom09]

i am a nursing mom, with a lot of amalgum fillings. planning to get my fillings replaced when we wean, but for now i'm hoping to just help my liver out a bit (not wanting to actually mobilize toxins & detox just yet, because of breastfeeding).

would this be a good supplement for me? what are your thoughts?

http://www.rainbowlight.com/Categories~Category~f6ff3135-a1fd-4893-9d18-bcb086f33415.html

[deditus]

MIlk thistle is great. If I buy from the store, I usually get Eclectic Institute brand. I prefer (and it's way cheaper) to fill my own capsules or just add ground milk thistle to foods or smoothies. I prefer the whole seed to a standardized extract due to cofactors that may help when the plant is left whole. I buy bulk milk thistle seeds from Mountain Rose Herb Farm or Frontier (and bulk empty capsules to use in my inexpensive capsule filler).

[changingseasons]

I usually get the Eclectic Institute tincture as well- 1) because I've read that tinctures are more effective than whole seeds or teas, and 2) because they use a grape-based alcohol in their tinctures rather than grain-based (we have issues with grains.)

I noticed that the brand you posted has soy lecithin in the glaze- is soy an issue for you or your nursling? That's something to keep in mind. If you have a food sensitive kiddo (I'm just assuming you do since you posted in the allergy forum , the less ingredient the better, imo.

[deditus]

CS, there is controversy over whether tincture or whole herb is better. I have found both to be effective.

http://bearmedicineherbals.com/milk-thistle-preparations.html

[aldensmom09]

Thanks SO MUCH for the quick answers! I ended up ordering the whole seeds from Frontier (that is where I found that other supplement anyways). Yes, we have some issues here, though aside from my nursling being dairy and gluten-free, we're just starting to experiment to see what else might be going on (triggering eczema). Good point about the soy! I am new this, and that didn't pop out at me at all! Totally agree that the fewer ingredients the better, and that food/whole sources are ideal. Thanks for the link to that herbalism site, it looks like a great resource, I'll bookmark it for sure! Emily, approximately how much do you use per day? That site you linked to suggested 2-3 tbsp/day for an average adult male. I'm a little mama, short and maybe 110lbs or so. I don't have a capsule-filler, so I'll just be grinding up the seeds and mixing them in smoothies or applesauce or whatnot. Any harm in mixing them in a hot cereal like oatmeal (after cooking), or would the heat harm it, I wonder- do you know?

Thanks again for your help!

[deditus]

I think I probably take about a tablespoon, I am similarly sized. You can add it to food, heat won't ruin it.

[momofmine]

deditus, what are you using the milk thistle for, and do you give it to your kids?  I think at one point I was going to try this and now I don't remember what for! 

[deditus]

Originally Posted by momofmine 

deditus, what are you using the milk thistle for, and do you give it to your kids?  I think at one point I was going to try this and now I don't remember what for! 

Liver support. I have multiple (like a dozen!) amalgams, I worked as a landscaper for 7 years in toxin drenched yards and other fun toxicities. I do try to get some into my dd, but I don't make too big of a deal out of it.
 

[momofmine]

Thanks!