Origin and history
Milk thistle, also known as "Virgin's thistle," is a plant native to the Mediterranean basin. It owes its name to the legend that a few drops of the Virgin Mary's milk fell on its leaves, leaving their characteristic white veins. Known since antiquity, it was already used by the Greeks and Romans for its beneficial effects on the liver and digestion. In the Middle Ages, herbalists recommended it to "expel black bile" and restore vitality after periods of excess. Today, it remains one of the most studied plants for its hepatoprotective and detoxifying properties.
