Milk Thistle Seed Powder 4 oz (Cardo Mariano) for Tea

Milk thistle seed powder, 4 oz. Silybum marianum, grown and harvested in Croatia, and known as cardo mariano in Spanish. Finely milled whole seed, one ingredient, nothing added.

How to make milk thistle tea

Add 1 teaspoon to 8 fl oz of boiling water and steep for 5 to 10 minutes, longer if you like it stronger, then strain. Because this is a milled seed rather than a cut leaf, it will not strain out completely and a little sediment settles at the bottom of the cup. A fine mesh strainer catches most of it. Plenty of people skip the straining and drink it as it is.

The other way to use it

It is a seed powder, so it goes into food as easily as into a cup. Stir a teaspoon into a smoothie, whisk it into soup at the end, or add it to bread and oat mixtures. The label also notes it is used to infuse oils and in homemade cosmetics.

What it tastes like

Mild and nutty, faintly bitter at the back, closer to a ground seed than to a herbal tea. It disappears completely into a smoothie or a soup, which is why most people use it that way.

Milled seed, not a standardised extract

Almost everything sold as milk thistle is a standardised extract in a capsule, concentrated and measured to a set figure. This is not that. It is the whole seed, dried and milled, with nothing taken out and nothing added. That is a different product at a different price, and the two are not interchangeable. Knowing which one is in your hand is the whole point.

What milk thistle is

A tall thistle with purple flower heads and white marbled veins running through the leaves, native to the Mediterranean and now growing across Europe, North America and Australia. It is in the daisy family, alongside burdock, echinacea and dandelion. The part used is the small hard seed, which is what is milled to make this powder.

What is in the bag

Milk thistle seed powder and nothing else. One ingredient, no fillers, no flow agents, nothing added.

How to store it

Tightly closed in a dry place at room temperature, 59 to 86°F (15 to 30°C), as printed on the bag.

Frequently asked questions

How do you make milk thistle tea?
Add 1 teaspoon to 8 fl oz of boiling water, steep 5 to 10 minutes, then strain. It is milled seed rather than cut leaf, so a little sediment gets through. A fine mesh strainer catches most of it, and many people do not bother straining at all.

What does milk thistle tea taste like?
Mild and nutty with a faint bitterness at the back. It is gentler than most herbal teas and it vanishes entirely into a smoothie or a soup.

Do you sell milk thistle in tea bags?
No. This is the loose milled seed, so you set the strength yourself and you can cook with it as well as brew it. The bagged teas are in teas and loose leaf herbs.

Is this an extract, or just the seed?
Just the seed, milled whole, one ingredient. It is not an extract and it is not standardised to any figure. Extracts are concentrated and measured, which makes them a different product at a different price. Both are sold as milk thistle and shops are not always clear about which is which.

What is cardo mariano in English?
Milk thistle. Cardo mariano is the Spanish name for Silybum marianum, the same plant. In Italian it is cardo mariano too, and in Portuguese cardo mariano or cardo leiteiro. It is one plant with a lot of names.

Is it organic, and where does it come from?
It is organic or wildcrafted milk thistle seed powder from Croatia, and the country of origin is printed on the bag.

What else do people buy with it?
The other 4 oz powders that go into the same smoothie are moringa leaf powder, which is green and earthy, and lion's mane mushroom powder, which is mild and savoury.

¿Qué es el cardo mariano?
El cardo mariano (Silybum marianum) es un cardo alto de flores moradas y hojas con vetas blancas, de la familia de las margaritas. En inglés se llama milk thistle. Nuestra bolsa trae 4 oz de semilla de cardo mariano molida, orgánica o silvestre, de Croacia, un solo ingrediente. Para preparar el té, agregue 1 cucharadita a 8 fl oz de agua hirviendo, deje reposar de 5 a 10 minutos y cuele. Es semilla molida, no un extracto estandarizado.

PRECAUTIONS

• Milk thistle is in the daisy family (Asteraceae), alongside ragweed, chrysanthemum, marigold, burdock and echinacea. If you are allergic to any of those, do not use it.
• Not for use during pregnancy or nursing.
• Not recommended for anyone under 18.
• Individuals with known medical conditions should consult a physician before use.
• Keep out of reach of children.

DIRECTIONS:

To make milk thistle tea, add 1 teaspoon of milk thistle seed powder to 8 fl oz of boiling water. Steep for 5 to 10 minutes, longer if you like it stronger, then strain and enjoy. Because it is milled seed, a little sediment gets through a normal strainer.

It also stirs straight into smoothies, soups and baking, with no brewing needed.

Store tightly closed in a dry place at room temperature, 59 to 86°F (15 to 30°C).

• Processing Time: Orders ship within 1 to 2 business days.
• Refunds: 100% satisfaction guarantee. Contact within 30 days of receipt, return unused portions at your expense, and receive a full refund upon receipt.
• Customs Duty Tax: Pre-paid and covered for most countries.