Milkweed Vs Milk Thistle. Silybum mariunum is the only species of milk thistle that has prven to be therapeutic yet there are a number of supplements available for consumption. Milk thistle has been reported to have protective effects on the liver and to greatly improve its function.
Milk thistle is usually found in untended or poorly managed fields. Unlike milkweed that grows in the spring and blooms in the middle of summer milk thistle grows in the summer and blooms just as the season is ending in most climates. Milkweed is very drought resistant and prefers dry or slightly moist soils.
The words milkweed and milk thistle are often used interchangeably by those who do not study plants.
Milk thistle is commonly used as a home remedy to treat liver problems often under the presumption that it will detoxify the liver. Milk thistle has been reported to have protective effects on the liver and to greatly improve its function. The seeds contain silymarin a group of compounds said to have antioxidant and anti inflammatory effects. Unlike milkweed that grows in the spring and blooms in the middle of summer milk thistle grows in the summer and blooms just as the season is ending in most climates.