Ancient Herb that Eases Joint Issues and Douses Inflammation

What if a single herb could help protect your joints and your heart and even enhance your sleep?

One ancient herb may be answering the call.

Scientists are buzzing about this old folk remedy’s powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Here’s how it can help you…

Key Takeaways

• Milk Thistle’s silymarin is a powerful anti-inflammatory. It helps regulate immune responses, reducing joint pain, symptoms, and chronic inflammation.
• Silymarin supports metabolic and heart health. Studies show it improves insulin resistance, helps balance blood sugar and blood pressure, and prevents clotting.
• Milk thistle may enhance sleep and mood. Research suggests it helps lower oxidative stress in the nervous system, promoting better sleep and reduced anxiety.

Milk Thistle: Uncovering New Benefits of This Ancient Healing Herb

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used for centuries as a natural remedy, with its origins tracing back to ancient civilizations such as Greece, Rome, and Egypt.

The earliest known records of its medicinal use date back to Dioscorides, a Greek physician in the 1st century AD, who documented its ability to treat liver disorders and detoxify the body.

The plant, recognizable by its purple flowers and spiky leaves, was highly valued by medieval herbalists who believed it could protect the liver from toxins, including snake bites and alcohol consumption. Over time, European monks incorporated milk thistle into their medicinal gardens, using it to treat jaundice, gallbladder issues, and digestive ailments.

During the Renaissance period, milk thistle's reputation as a liver tonic continued to grow, with physicians prescribing it to treat conditions such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, folk medicine practitioners across Europe and North America recommended milk thistle for ailments ranging from indigestion to inflammation. It was commonly used as a remedy for "liver stagnation," a term used in traditional herbal medicine to describe sluggish liver function and toxin buildup. As herbal medicine evolved, milk thistle became a cornerstone of detoxification protocols, believed to help the body recover from overindulgence in food and alcohol.

The Secret of Silymarin

Modern science has validated many of these traditional uses, with research confirming milk thistle’s role in liver protection and its potent antioxidant properties. Studies in the 20th and 21st centuries have identified silymarin, the active compound in milk thistle, as the key driver behind its therapeutic benefits.

While much of the initial modern medical research on milk thistle had originally focused on its use to treat liver problems, more recently, studies are looking at its potential benefits for relieving joint pain, helping metabolic issues and even supporting the immune system.

Tests are underway into how silymarin, which includes the natural chemical silibin as well as other antioxidants, can lessen chronic inflammation and ease the misbehavior of immune cells which can damage your organs and joints and fill your life with pain.

Tired of Joint Pain? This Anti-Inflammatory Powerhouse May Help

When the immune system kick-starts inflammation, immune cells enter alarm mode, going on the attack – fulfilling a mission to search and destroy invading pathogens and eliminating harm to the body. To keep inflammation under control, inter-cellular signals tell immune cells to stand down when the threat is over.

But when those cease and desist signals fail, the immune system can become “misregulated” and you end up with rogue immune cells that set off long bouts of chronic inflammation.

According to researchers from a consortium of European institutions who have analyzed how silymarin can tamp down inflammation, its powers as an antioxidant, along with the way it “upregulates” (spurs on) the body’s chemical messengers that signal marauding immune cells to chill out, help keep inflammation under better control.

When silymarin holds back inflammation, it also reins in cytokines -- chemical messages that float around the body in your blood – that would otherwise tell immune cells it’s okay to inflame, attack, and injure your joints. A study in the Middle East shows it does just that in protecting your knees from osteoarthritis.1

At the same time, a review study at Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine in Ohio offers additional evidence that milk thistle’s silymarin can help suffering joints. In that analysis, it was shown that silymarin has the potential to help ease the pain from an overactive immune system and joint wear and tear, as well as keep joints from being worn out and destroyed in the future.2

The Herb That Fights Inflammation, Boosts Metabolism, and Supports Heart Health

Research also shows that silymarin can:

• Help control blood sugar and improve insulin resistance: Clinical trials show that silymarin increases sensitivity to insulin by boosting the activity of insulin sensors in the body that help to take glucose out of the blood. Plus, a review analysis of silymarin studies shows that it can lower blood sugar and help keep it under better control in folks with type 2 diabetes.4
• Support healthy blood pressure: A summary of silymarin’s health benefits compiled by another international group of researchers concludes that it boosts heart health by keeping blood pressure down while preventing platelets from forming dangerous blood clots. In the process, it also supports the proper function of arteries, so they don’t constrict unnecessarily.5
• Help you sleep better: A six-month test of silymarin supplements shows that in combination with minerals (chromium, selenium, magnesium and zinc) and prebiotics, they can help people sleep better and improve their mood. The researchers say these improvements are linked to beneficial changes in the probiotic bacteria living in people’s digestive tracts.6 The scientists also believe that silymarin helps lower oxidative stress in the central nervous system and that can help people feel less anxious and fall asleep more easily.

How To Take Milk Thistle

Depending on your health circumstances, silymarin could be just the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory herb you need to improve your health. Milk thistle can be consumed in various forms, but the most effective way to take it depends on your health goals:

• Capsules & Tablets – These provide a standardized dose of silymarin, the active compound in milk thistle. Look for supplements containing at least 70-80% silymarin for the best results.
• Liquid Extract (Tinctures) – Fast-absorbing and can be mixed with water or juice. Ideal for those who have difficulty swallowing pills.
• Milk Thistle Tea – Offers gentle liver support but contains lower concentrations of silymarin, making it less potent than extracts or capsules.
• Powdered Form – Can be added to smoothies or food, though absorption may be lower than standardized extracts.

Green Valley’s Triple Joint Relief formula contains a clinical dose of the most potent form of silymarin we could find. It’s combined with two other anti-inflammatory ingredients. One of them, boswellia, was found to be especially potent in combination with silymarin.

Dosage may vary depending on the specific condition you’re targeting. A general guideline we’ve seen reported by natural health practitioners is:

• Liver Support & Detox: 140-200 mg of silymarin, 1-3 times daily
• Inflammation & Joint Health: 200 –400 mg of silymarin daily
• Heart and Blood Sugar Help: 200-600 mg of silymarin daily
• General Antioxidant Support: 100-200 mg per day
• Milk Thistle Tea: 1-3 cups per day for mild detox support

The best time to take milk thistle and silymarin is with food. That’s because silymarin is fat-soluble, meaning it absorbs better when taken with meals that contain healthy fats (avocados, nuts, olive oil). It’s also a good idea to split your doses of milk thistle throughout the day. Take two or three smaller doses with meals instead of one big dose.

Summary

Milk thistle, long revered for its liver-protecting properties, is now recognized for a wide range of health benefits beyond liver detox. Studies show that silymarin, its active compound, can reduce chronic inflammation, making it a potential solution for joint pain, diabetes, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, and even sleep disorders. By regulating immune responses, silymarin prevents inflammatory damage and protects the joints, heart, and nervous system. Research also suggests that it improves insulin sensitivity, lowers blood sugar, and helps balance gut bacteria for better overall wellness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is silymarin, and how does it differ from milk thistle?
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a plant known for its health benefits, particularly for liver support. Silymarin is the active compound extracted from milk thistle seeds and is responsible for its medicinal properties. Silymarin is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that helps protect liver cells, regulate blood sugar, and reduce chronic inflammation.

How does silymarin benefit liver health?
Silymarin works by strengthening liver cell membranes, protecting them from toxins like alcohol, medications, and environmental pollutants. It also promotes liver regeneration, supports detoxification, and reduces oxidative stress, which can help with conditions such as fatty liver disease, hepatitis, and cirrhosis.

Can milk thistle or silymarin help with high blood sugar?
Yes, research suggests that silymarin can improve insulin sensitivity and help regulate blood sugar levels. It works by enhancing the function of insulin receptors and reducing inflammation linked to insulin resistance. Some studies have shown that people with type-2 diabetes who take silymarin supplements experience lower fasting blood sugar and HbA1c levels.

Is milk thistle safe for daily use?
Yes, milk thistle is generally safe for most people when taken in recommended doses. However, individuals with ragweed allergies, hormone-sensitive conditions, or those taking blood thinners or diabetes medications should consult their doctor before use. Mild side effects like digestive discomfort or headaches may occur in some individuals.

How long does it take to see the benefits of silymarin?
The effects of silymarin depend on the dosage, consistency, and health condition being treated. Some people notice improved digestion and mild detox effects within a few days, while liver health improvements, reduced inflammation, and blood sugar regulation may take several weeks to months of consistent use.