Rich in minerals, liver-loving compounds and – most importantly – FLAVOR, this milk thistle seasoning salt is super easy to make and perfect for sprinkling on savory dishes. I love it on roasted meat and potatoes, and it makes a super delish addition to soups, too.
Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
Milk Thistle Seeds
Potent yet gentle, milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used as a liver tonic since at least the 1st century, and modern research supports this approach.
It’s main therapeutic component – silymarin – is found primarily in the seeds. Unlike most herbs which are best extracted by hot water (aka tea) or alcohol (as a tincture), milk thistle seeds are best consumed when freshly ground.
Fortunately, they just so happen to have a nutty, salty, slightly sweet flavor that makes them perfect for incorporating into savory dishes.
Stinging Nettle Leaf
Sometimes called Nature’s Multivitamin, nettle (Urtica dioica)) contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support detox, energy, seasonal allergy relief and more. According to Rosalee de la Foret, author of Alchemy of Herbs:
Nettle supports many detox organ systems, including the liver, lungs, and urinary tract.”
And don’t worry, cooking or drying out nettle deactivates the formic acid that causes the stinging sensation its named for, leaving us with the other nutritive compounds to work with.
Dulse Flakes
Dulse (Palmaria palmata) is a slightly purple seaweed that’s rich in minerals, trace minerals and iodine. It adds umami to our mix.
If you’ve never heard of umami before, it’s a Japanese word that means “essence of deliciousness,” and it seriously is. Often called the fifth flavor, it has a meaty savoriness that deepens the flavor of dishes.
Celery Seed
Traditionally used to support digestion, celery seed (Apium graveolens) makes the flavors of other foods really pop. SInce the best herbal formulas are the ones we actually use because we enjoy them, I consider it an essential part of this recipe.
Garlic & Onion Powder
Although mostly use to enhance flavor in this recipe, garlic and onion powder are both rich in antioxidants that support liver health. (1) (2)
Calendula Petals
Soothing for the digestive tract, calendula petals have a mild flavor similar to saffron.
Mineral Rich Sea Salt
Unrefined sea salts like Himalayan pink salt and Real Salt contain electrolytes like calcium and potassium, plus essential trace minerals that contribute to osmotic balance. In other words, they help our bodies optimize fluid levels.
9 Ways To Use Milk Thistle Seasoning
- Sprinkled over roasted potatoes or baked veggies
- Added to soups
- Mixed into marinades
- Whisked into olive oil and vinegar to make salad dressing
- As a finishing salt for roasted meats
Milk Thistle Seasoning Salt Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp whole milk thistle seeds
- 1 tbsp dulse flakes
- 1 tbs dried nettle leaves
- 1½ tsp whole celery seed
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1½ tsp finely chopped calendula petals (optional)
- 5 tbsp unrefined sea salt
Instructions
- Place the milk thistle seeds, dulse flakes, dried nettle, celery seed, and calendula petals in a coffee grinder. (I keep an extra one for grinding herbs and spices.)
- Grind the herbs until they reach the level of fineness you prefer.
- Place the mixture in a clean jar and stir in the onion and garlic powder.
- Add the salt and mix again . . . now it's ready to use!
Nutrition
This recipe was adapted from this milk thistle gomasio and another one from DIY Bitters.
More Seasoning Recipes To Try
Lemon Pepper Seasoning – The bright flavor of lemon in this recipe melds perfectly with the deep, spicy notes of peppercorns, and it’s super easy to make. All you need are lemons, peppercorns, and salt.
Homemade Italian Seasoning – This Italian seasoning recipe is a flavorful all-purpose blend for homemade pizza, meatballs, salad dressing, and other tried-and-true favorites.
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- Sangouni, Abbas Ali et. al. (2020) Effect of garlic powder supplementation on hepatic steatosis, liver enzymes and lipid profile in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a double-blind randomised controlled clinical trial
- Emamat, Hadi et. al. (2016) The effects of onion consumption on treatment of metabolic, histologic, and inflammatory features of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
