Milk Thistle is a small prickly plant native to the Mediterranean region. The name comes from the milky fluid that leaks out when the leaves or stems are broken. Milk Thistle is often recommended for liver support and cleansing, but its herbal power goes far beyond the health of the liver. Recent studies on milk thistle seed and extract indicate that this herb, used in traditional applications for at least the past two and a half millennia, has ingredients which can help levels of cholesterol, protect the kidneys and help flush heavy metals from the body.