Both ginger and milk thistle have a long history of medicinal use in Eastern and Western folk medicine. The recent popularity of detoxification, which often focuses on liver health, has reawakened interest in milk thistle and ginger.

History

In "101 Medicinal Herbs," Steven Foster notes that ginger was included in nearly half the prescriptions in Traditional Chinese Medicine, many of which are more than 2,000 years old. Likewise, milk thistle was used to help liver function as early as the times of Pliny the Elder, who wrote about it in the first century.

Traditional Uses of Milk Thistle

In "The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook," James Duke says that milk thistle has been traditionally used to treat liver and digestive problems including hepatitis, mushroom poisoning, cirrhosis and colic. In addition, holistic practitioners may prescribe it to encourage appetite and help cleanse the blood.

Traditional Uses of Ginger

Duke's "The Green Pharmacy" also says that ginger has traditionally been included in folk medicine prescriptions to "soothe the stomach, encourage appetite and offset the effects of other strong natural medicines."

Scientific Evidence for Benefits of Milk Thistle

The Mayo Clinic says good scientific evidence supports the use of milk thistle for chronic hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver. It may also reduce the growth of several cancers, combat mushroom poisoning, reduce cholesterol, help control blood sugar, reduce chronic indigestion and reverse or prevent liver damage from drugs and environmental toxins.

Scientific Evidence for Benefits of Ginger

The Mayo Clinic says that there is good scientific evidence to support the use of ginger to reduce morning sickness and nausea during pregnancy. In addition, ginger may also reduce vomiting due to seasickness, reduce nausea during chemotherapy and after surgery, help lower blood pressure, shorten labor, treat migraines, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, and assist in weight loss.

Liver Cleanse and Detox

Because both ginger and milk thistle contain compounds believed to help the digestion and aid the liver in cleansing the blood, they are often used in liver tonics and colon-cleansing products.

Source:

Mayo Clinic: Drugs and Supplements

"101 Medicinal Herbs: An Illustrated Guide," Steven Foster; 1998

"The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook;" James A. Duke, Ph.D.; 1997

More Information:

University of Maryland Medical Center: Milk Thistle

Univeristy of Maryland Medical Center: Ginger

Canada.com: Be Good to Your Liver