Milk Thistle Seed (Silybum marianum)
Organic
Energy: Masculine
Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
 
Magical & Spiritual Uses
Milk thistle carries protective, fortifying energy. With its Mars correspondence and fierce spined leaves, it has long been symbolically associated with strength, boundary-setting, and spiritual defense. In folk magic, thorned plants are often worked with for protection and reversal of harmful influence, and milk thistle fits naturally into that lineage.
It may be added to protection sachets, boundary-setting floor washes, or placed near doorways as a symbolic guard. Because it is traditionally linked with cleansing and purification, it can also be included in ritual work focused on clearing stagnation, restoring vitality, and strengthening personal will.
These uses are shared as cultural and historical context only.
 
Cultural & Historical Context
Silybum marianum is native to the Mediterranean region and southwestern Europe and has been cultivated for centuries. Its distinctive white-veined leaves gave rise to medieval Christian folklore suggesting that drops of the Virgin Mary’s milk marked the plant, hence the name “milk thistle.”
In ancient Greece and Rome, the leaves were eaten as a vegetable, and Dioscorides documented the use of the seeds. Later, 17th-century herbalist Nicholas Culpepper associated milk thistle with the planet Mars and described it as strengthening and restorative in nature.
Milk thistle was also incorporated into Eclectic medical practice in the United States during the 19th century, particularly in formulas relating to liver and digestive support. Today it remains one of the most widely recognized herbs associated with liver wellness.
 
Botanical & Herbal Context
Milk thistle is an annual or biennial in the Asteraceae (sunflower) family. It grows three to seven feet tall, with glossy, lettuce-like leaves edged in spines and marked with white marbling. The solitary purple flower heads mature into seed-bearing structures that can produce thousands of seeds per plant.
Traditionally, milk thistle seed is decocted as tea, powdered for tinctures, or encapsulated. The plant has been used for centuries as both food and herbal support.
Milk thistle is widely known for supporting the liver’s natural detoxification processes.*
Organic seed. Sold unprepared.
Shipping Notice: We are unable to ship this product to Washington State.
As with all herbs, variations in size, color, aroma, and texture may occur due to natural growing conditions and seasonal harvest.
 
Precautions
Milk thistle may cause allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae (ragweed) family.
We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
 
Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.