Used for centuries as food and for its healthful properties, milk thistle seed has a long tradition of use in herbalism. The seeds originate from Bulgaria and are harvested from the milk thistle seed pod once ripe and dried. The milk thistle plant itself can grow up to 4-5 feet tall and has lettuce like leaves with spiky purple flowers.
Milk thistle seed can be consumed in many ways, as a tea, in capsules, as a tincture and of course in food. Use the whole seed to sprinkle on salads, sandwiches, and mix in with trail mix, or easily ground down the seed to incorporate into tea, baked goods, and smoothies. The seeds have a slightly bitter, oily taste and a faint aroma.