Carduus Marianus

The milk thistle, a purple-flowered Mediterranean thistle whose seeds homoeopaths traditionally associate with the liver, gallbladder and veins.

Carduus marianus, now named Silybum marianum, is the milk thistle, a member of the daisy family native to southern Europe and Asia. It has red-purple flower heads and shiny leaves marked with white veins, which legend says came from the Virgin Mary's milk. The remedy is made from the seeds.

In homoeopathy its action centres on the liver. It is traditionally used for fullness and soreness in the liver region, a bitter taste, nausea, poor appetite, a yellowish tinge to the skin and hard, knotty stools. It is also associated with varicose veins, bleeding piles and the after-effects of too much alcohol.

• Liver discomfort
• Bitter taste and nausea
• Sluggish bile flow
• Varicose veins
• After too much alcohol