Product name: Milk thistle

Milk thistle, also known as milk thistle, belongs to the genus Thistle of the Asteraceae family. It grows by the water or on wet grass and is widely distributed in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, including Europe, Asia and North America. The stem of milk thistle is upright and can reach a height of more than 1.2 meters. It has brown inflorescences and purple or pink flowers. Milk thistle has many medical and food values, especially its roots and shoots.

1. Medicinal value

a. Milk thistle root

Milk thistle root is the main medicinal part of milk thistle. It is rich in flavonoids, sterols, erythrin and picric acid. Milk thistle root has a protective effect on the liver, can increase the regeneration ability of liver cells, and reduce the degree of liver damage. At the same time, milk thistle root also has diuretic, detoxification, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and can be used to treat hepatitis, jaundice, gallstones and other diseases.

b. Milk thistle shoots

Milk thistle shoots are another important medicinal part of milk thistle. It is rich in nutrients such as protein, vitamin C, beta-carotene and minerals. The young shoots of milk thistle are delicious and have the effects of clearing away heat and detoxification, promoting bile and defecation, nourishing blood and replenishing qi. Regular consumption of young shoots of milk thistle can promote metabolism, enhance immunity, and prevent and treat hypertension and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

2. Edible value

Both the roots and young shoots of milk thistle can be eaten as food and are deeply loved by people. The roots of milk thistle can be processed into milk thistle root tea in a fresh state, which has high health value. The young shoots of milk thistle can be eaten raw or cooked, and they are delicious and have high nutritional value. The nutrient content in the young shoots of milk thistle is richer than that of ordinary vegetables. In daily life, they can be added to various dishes to add a lot of nutritional value.

3. Planting technology

To plant milk thistle, you need to choose an environment with acidic soil, high humidity and good drainage to promote the normal growth and development of milk thistle. Milk thistle likes an environment with plenty of sunlight and air circulation. Generally, 3-4 hours of sunlight is enough. Milk thistle needs sufficient water and nutrients during its growth process, so it can be watered and fertilized in time. At the same time, milk thistle grows very fast and needs to be pruned regularly to promote the growth of more tender leaves.

In short, milk thistle is a very valuable plant that has both medicinal and edible value. The nutrient content in milk thistle is extremely high, which can enhance human immunity and prevent various diseases.