John and Patsy:
Our prayers continue to ascend to the throne of grace in you and your family's behalf. May the Lord answer according to His abundant love and mercy.
Regarding hepatitis C, this info comes from the August, 2000 Prevention magazine.
The Liver Protector. Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), an herb, is useful for people with liver disease, those who have abused alcohol or drugs or take liver-damaging prescriptions, those working with toxic chemicals, and those with chronic and acute hepatitis.
How much to take: Dried seed, 1 teaspoon of seeds boiled into a tea; tincture 1:5, 1 teaspoon; fluid extract 1:1, 10 drops; tableted standardized extract, 70- to 210-mg extract standardized to 70 to 80 percent silymarin.
How often: Three times a day
How long: As long as the liver is subject to toxic chemicals, take milk thistle to prevent damage from occurring. It is safe for long term use. Use long term if you have chronic liver disease.
Warning: In excessively large doses, it may cause loose stools when you begin taking it.
Drug interactions: None known
How to buy: Choose products made strictly from the seed of Silybum marianum. The standardized extracts have gained popularity, but the nonstandardized products have worked just as well. Avoid products made from other parts of the plant. When chronic liver disease or chronic exposure to toxins is the problem, milk thistle is the first choice. In a world filled with toxic liver-damaging pollutants, milk thistle is a powerful herbal ally. --end of article.
John and Patsy, from the info I have been able to gather, this herb is the most powerful and potent liver protector available. Indeed, a friend with cirrhosis of the liver was able to get a clean bill of health simply by using milk thistle. I understand that the medical profession does not have anything that comes anywhere close to yielding the benefits that this herb offers.
Hope this helps some.
Sr. Suzanne