Milk thistle is a popular herb that has actually been used for over 2,000 years. In fact, the Greek physician and botanist Dioscorides was the first to describe the healing properties of milk thistle as early as 40 AD. Native to the Mediterranean region, the plant is part of the Asteraceae plant family, which also includes other plants like sunflowers and daisies. This healing herb gets its name from the milky white liquid that flows from the plant’s leaves when they are crushed. The leaves of the plant themselves also have a mottled white pattern that makes them look as if they have been dipped in milk. It is also known as milk thistle, holy thistle, and silybum. Milk thistle is widely used for everything from weight loss to skin health and promoting breast milk production.