Silymarin, aliases: milk thistle, mouse muscle, milk thistle, Latin name: Silybum marianum (l.) Gaertn., Compositae, milk thistle is a one-or two-year-old Compositae herbaceous plants. Annuals or biennials, 1.2 meters high. Stem erect, branched, angled, rarely are unbranched, all white powder compound of the stem and branches, sparse spider hairs or hair removal. Seeds used as medicine.
Native to Western Europe and North Africa. China's Shaanxi, Gansu, Heilongjiang and Hebei provinces cultivated. Height 30~200cm.Warm dry conditions, avoid high temperature cool, dry climate, strong adaptability, not strict requirements for soil, water, sand,saline land can be grown. Silymarin is a good liver plant.