How to Make Milk Thistle Paste
Milk thistle enjoys a long history of use as a liver cleanser, and, for this reason, is also reputed to help skin conditions by assisting the liver's release of toxins from the body. Its long-term popularity has inspired some modern research studies---such as a 2007 study found on PubMed that determined that milk thistle protects the skin of mice from oxidative damage (see References 1)---but for the most part, evidence of success is largely anecdotal. To cleanse the liver and bloodstream, milk thistle is most often taken internally, but it is also used topically to treat acne, rosacea, psoriasis, cysts and other skin conditions. Milk thistle powders vary in strength and consistency, so using them to make a paste for topical application may require some trial-and-error.
Things You'll Need
- Milk thistle powder
- Distilled water
- Powdered oatmeal (optional)
- Castor oil (optional)
Instructions
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Purchase milk thistle powder. It is commercially available, usually in capsule form. The active ingredients of milk thistle come from the seeds and are collectively referred to as silymarin. Since nutritional supplements are not standardized in the same way that prescription-drug dosages are, it is important to look at the label. If silymarin is not listed, you may be purchasing a powder made from the leaves or stems, not from the potent seeds.
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Combine the powder with a small amount of water. Use distilled, purified, or any clean water source. This is the simplest way to make a paste. Due to variations in herbal powders, there is no definite powder-water ratio for making paste, but you can start by using one-third as much water as you have powder, and gradually increase the water if necessary.
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Add powdered oatmeal to thicken up the blend if needed. The milk thistle powder you buy may be too thick or too fine to create a satisfactory paste using only water. Oatmeal is soothing to the skin, so it is an excellent addition if you want a thicker paste.
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Add castor oil. This is another skin-soothing method of making your paste gooier. This oil may also help the milk thistle extract penetrate deeper.
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Consider taking milk thistle capsules internally, according to the suggested use on the label. What research exists on the benefits of milk thistle and silymarin has been conducted on internal supplementation, not topical applications. According to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School (see References 2), the ideal dose is 200 mg taken two or three times daily, and the encapsulated extract should be standardized to contain 70 percent silymarin.
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Expect an eruption. When milk thistle works effectively, it detoxifies the body. Often the toxins work their way out through the skin, which means your skin may look worse before it looks better, according to Jill Rosemary Davies, author of "In a Nutshell 'Milk Thistle' " (see References 3). However, this simply means the milk thistle is doing its work.
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Tips & Warnings
Rosewater may be used instead of regular water.
The castor oil is meant to be used topically only. Do not take castor oil internally, as it acts as a laxative. It also contains the poison ricin, so internal consumption should be considered only under expert care.
