Overview

Milk thistle is a plant that is native to Europe and was brought to North America by early colonists. Milk thistle is now found throughout the eastern United States, California, South America, Africa, Australia, and Asia. The above ground parts and seeds are used to make medicine.

Milk thistle is taken by mouth most often for liver disorders, including liver damage caused by chemicals, alcohol, and chemotherapy, as well as liver damage caused by Amanita mushroom poisoning, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, chronic inflammatory liver disease, cirrhosis of the liver, and chronic hepatitis. Some people apply milk thistle directly to the skin for skin damage caused by radiation.

In foods, milk thistle leaves and flowers are eaten as a vegetable for salads and a substitute for spinach. The seeds are roasted for use as a coffee substitute.

Don't confuse milk thistle with blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus).

Classification

Is a Form of:

Plant that is native to Europe

Primary Functions:

Liver disorders

Also Known As:

Artichaut Sauvage, Blessed Milk Thistle, Cardo Lechoso, Cardui Mariae Fructus

How Does It Work?

Milk thistle seed might protect liver cells from toxic chemicals and drugs. It also seems to have blood sugar-lowering, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Uses

• Diabetes. Taking milk thistle extract or milk thistle extract plus tree turmeric extract along with antidiabetes drugs seems to decrease blood sugar levels before meals in people with diabetes. It also seems to decrease average blood sugar levels in these people. It might take more than 3 months for milk thistle products to show benefit. Specific milk thistle products used in research include Livergol by Goldaru Herbal Products and Berberol by PharmExtracta.
• Indigestion (dyspepsia). When used daily for 4 weeks, a specific combination product (Iberogast by Medical Futures, Inc.) that contains milk thistle plus eight other ingredients seems to reduce the severity of acid reflux, stomach pain, cramping, nausea, and vomiting.

 Recommended Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

ADULTS
BY MOUTH:

• For diabetes: A specific product (Livergol, Goldaru Herbal Products Pharmaceutical Company) containing 140 mg of milk thistle extract has been taken three times daily for 45 days. 200 mg of milk thistle extract has been taken once daily or three times daily for 4 months to one year. A specific product (Berberol, PharmExtracta) containing 210 mg of milk thistle extract and 1176 mg of tree turmeric extract has been taken daily for 3-12 months.
• For indigestion (dyspepsia): 1 mL of a specific combination product (Iberogast by Medical Futures, Inc.) containing milk thistle and several other herbs has been used three times daily for 4 weeks.

Milk Thistle Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What does milk thistle do?

Milk thistle is sometimes used as a natural treatment for liver problems. These liver problems include cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis, and gallbladder disorders. Some claim milk thistle may also: Provide heart benefits by lowering cholesterol levels.

Does milk thistle really work?

A 2016 study found that milk thistle improved diet-induced liver damage in mice. The active ingredient in milk thistle, silymarin, acts as an antioxidant by reducing free radical production. Scientists think this creates a detoxifying effect, which is why it is milk thistle may be beneficial for liver problems.

How much milk thistle should you take a day?

Dosing. Milk thistle is considered safe in dosages of 420 mg/day orally in divided doses for up to 41 months.

What is the best milk thistle supplement?

The Best Milk Thistle Supplements

• Puritan's Pride Milk Thistle.
• Jarrow Formulas Milk Thistle.
• Fresh Nutrition Milk Thistle Capsules.
• FarmHaven Milk Thistle Capsules.
• Nature's Bounty Milk Thistle Capsules.

When should you not take milk thistle?

Studies show that it's safe when taken for up to 41 months. Milk thistle may cause diarrhea. More rarely, it may cause nausea, bloating, gas, and upset stomach. Women who are breastfeeding or pregnant should avoid using milk thistle.

Does milk thistle detox the liver?

One of the most common uses of milk thistle is to treat liver problems. The active ingredient in milk thistle, silymarin, acts as an antioxidant by reducing free radical production. Scientists think this creates a detoxifying effect, which is why it is milk thistle may be beneficial for liver problems.

Who should not take milk thistle?

Studies show that it's safe when taken for up to 41 months. Milk thistle may cause diarrhea. More rarely, it may cause nausea, bloating, gas, and upset stomach. Women who are breastfeeding or pregnant should avoid using milk thistle.

Does milk thistle make you gain weight?

Supports weight loss

Initial animal research conducted in 2016 found that silymarin caused weight loss in mice that were fed a diet intended to cause weight gain. This suggests milk thistle may be beneficial for those looking to lose weight.

Can you drink alcohol while taking milk thistle?

Milk Thistle Helps Liver Function

Milk Thistle is a popular herbal remedy that may be beneficial for those who overindulge in alcohol. One of the biggest dangers of excessive drinking is liver damage. The most interesting claim for milk thistle is that it is able to improve liver function.

Is it okay to take milk thistle everyday?

Milk thistle is generally considered safe when taken by mouth ( 1 , 45 ). In fact, in studies where high doses were used for long periods, only about 1% of people experienced side effects ( 1 ). When reported, side effects for milk thistle are generally gut disturbances like diarrhea, nausea or bloating.

Does milk thistle make you poop?

Bitter herbs such as artichoke, milk thistle, dandelion, and boldo leaf are all digestion and liver stimulating herbs plants. Most importantly, when it comes to constipation, they stimulate bile production and help to get bowel movements back on track.

Does milk thistle help fatty liver?

Medical research on milk thistle and liver health has led to mixed results. Studies show that silymarin helps ease inflammation and promote cell repair. This may help ease symptoms from liver diseases like jaundice, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and fatty liver disease.

What medications should not be taken with milk thistle?

Taking milk thistle might affect this enzyme and drugs it processes, such as diazepam (Valium), warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) and others. Diabetes medications. Milk thistle might lower blood sugar in people who have type 2 diabetes. Taking milk thistle with diabetes drugs might cause additive effects.

What are the side effects of taking milk thistle?

Side effects of milk thistle include:

• Abdominal bloating/pain.
• Allergic reactions.
• Loss of appetite.

Can milk thistle be harmful?

Generally, it's safe to take milk thistle in recommended doses. Some people have reported nausea, gas, diarrhea, or loss of appetite. Other people have reported a headache or itchiness after they take it. Milk thistle can cause an allergic reaction, especially if you're allergic to other plants in the same family.

Can milk thistle damage kidneys?

Early research shows that milk thistle extract might reduce the risk of death and improve liver function in people with cirrhosis. However, milk thistle extract does not seem to benefit all patients with liver disease. Kidney disease in people with diabetes (diabetic nephropathy).

Can you take milk thistle and turmeric at the same time?

Interactions between your drugs

No interactions were found between milk thistle and turmeric. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Does milk thistle increase estrogen?

Milk thistle is generally considered safe when taken by mouth ( 1 , 45 ). Those with certain conditions: Milk thistle can have estrogenic effects, which may worsen hormone-sensitive conditions, including some types of breast cancer.

What does milk thistle do for the liver?

Medical research on milk thistle and liver health has led to mixed results. Studies show that silymarin helps ease inflammation and promote cell repair. This may help ease symptoms from liver diseases like jaundice, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and fatty liver disease.

Does milk thistle help you lose weight?

Supports weight loss

Initial animal research conducted in 2016 found that silymarin caused weight loss in mice that were fed a diet intended to cause weight gain. This suggests milk thistle may be beneficial for those looking to lose weight.

What time of day should I take milk thistle?

Take milk thistle 30 minutes before meals for optimal effectiveness. Keep in mind that it will take at least a week or two before you notice milk thistle's beneficial effects. For chronic conditions, you will need to take the herb for quite some time.

Clinical Studies

• ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Abenavoli L, et al. Milk thistle in liver diseases: past, present, future. Phytother Res. (2010)
• ^ Abenavoli L, et al. Complementary therapies for treating alcoholism First Annual meeting by Complementary Medicine Research Group of the Italian Society for Alcohol Studies-May 5, 2006, Florence, Italy. Fitoterapia. (2008)
• ^ a b Pradhan SC, Girish C. Hepatoprotective herbal drug, silymarin from experimental pharmacology to clinical medicine. Indian J Med Res. (2006)
• ^ a b c d Kroll DJ, Shaw HS, Oberlies NH. Milk thistle nomenclature: why it matters in cancer research and pharmacokinetic studies. Integr Cancer Ther. (2007)
• ^ a b c d e f Kim NC, et al. Complete isolation and characterization of silybins and isosilybins from milk thistle (Silybum marianum). Org Biomol Chem. (2003)
• ^ a b Lee DY, Liu Y. Molecular structure and stereochemistry of silybin A, silybin B, isosilybin A, and isosilybin B, Isolated from Silybum marianum (milk thistle). J Nat Prod. (2003)
• ^ Membranes and the setting of energy demand.
• ^ a b Kidd PM. Bioavailability and activity of phytosome complexes from botanical polyphenols: the silymarin, curcumin, green tea, and grape seed extracts. Altern Med Rev. (2009)
• ^ Sheu SY, Lai CH, Chiang HC. Inhibition of xanthine oxidase by purpurogallin and silymarin group. Anticancer Res. (1998)
• ^ Pauff JM, Hille R. Inhibition studies of bovine xanthine oxidase by luteolin, silibinin, quercetin, and curcumin. J Nat Prod. (2009)
• ^ a b Zhang S, Morris ME. Effects of the flavonoids biochanin A, morin, phloretin, and silymarin on P-glycoprotein-mediated transport. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. (2003)
• ^ a b Tyagi AK, et al. Silibinin strongly synergizes human prostate carcinoma DU145 cells to doxorubicin-induced growth Inhibition, G2-M arrest, and apoptosis. Clin Cancer Res. (2002)
• ^ Maitrejean M, et al. The flavanolignan silybin and its hemisynthetic derivatives, a novel series of potential modulators of P-glycoprotein. Bioorg Med Chem Lett. (2000)
• ^ Zhou S, Lim LY, Chowbay B. Herbal modulation of P-glycoprotein. Drug Metab Rev. (2004)
• ^ Di Pierro F, et al. Pilot study on the additive effects of berberine and oral type 2 diabetes agents for patients with suboptimal glycemic control. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. (2012)
• ^ Gurley BJ, et al. Effect of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) and black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) supplementation on digoxin pharmacokinetics in humans. Drug Metab Dispos. (2006)
• ^ a b Ka SO, et al. Silibinin attenuates adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes through a potential upregulation of the insig pathway. Int J Mol Med. (2009)
• ^ Goldstein JL, DeBose-Boyd RA, Brown MS. Protein sensors for membrane sterols. Cell. (2006)
• ^ a b c d Zhan T, et al. Silybin and dehydrosilybin decrease glucose uptake by inhibiting GLUT proteins. J Cell Biochem. (2011)
• ^ a b Nomura M, et al. Inhibitory mechanisms of flavonoids on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in MC3T3-G2/PA6 adipose cells. Biol Pharm Bull. (2008)
• ^ Sonnenbichler J, Zetl I. Biochemical effects of the flavonolignane silibinin on RNA, protein and DNA synthesis in rat livers. Prog Clin Biol Res. (1986)
• ^ a b Song Z, et al. Silymarin prevents palmitate-induced lipotoxicity in HepG2 cells: involvement of maintenance of Akt kinase activation. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. (2007)
• ^ Salamone F, et al. Silibinin modulates lipid homeostasis and inhibits nuclear factor kappa B activation in experimental nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Transl Res. (2012)
• ^ Saller R, et al. An updated systematic review with meta-analysis for the clinical evidence of silymarin. Forsch Komplementmed. (2008)
• ^ a b Jayaraj R, et al. Hepatoprotective efficacy of certain flavonoids against microcystin induced toxicity in mice. Environ Toxicol. (2007)
• ^ Fausto N, Campbell JS. Mouse models of hepatocellular carcinoma. Semin Liver Dis. (2010)
• ^ a b Brandon-Warner E, et al. Silibinin (Milk Thistle) potentiates ethanol-dependent hepatocellular carcinoma progression in male mice. Cancer Lett. (2012)
• ^ a b Bowe WP, Patel N, Logan AC. Acne vulgaris: the role of oxidative stress and the potential therapeutic value of local and systemic antioxidants. J Drugs Dermatol. (2012)
• ^ Sahib A, et al. Effects of Oral Antioxidants on Lesion Counts Associated with Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Patients with Papulopustular Acne. J Clin Exp Dermatol Res. (2012)
• ^ Forinash AB, et al. The use of galactogogues in the breastfeeding mother. Ann Pharmacother. (2012)
• ^ Low Dog T. The use of botanicals during pregnancy and lactation. Altern Ther Health Med. (2009)
• ^ Zapantis A, Steinberg JG, Schilit L. Use of herbals as galactagogues. J Pharm Pract. (2012)
• ^ a b Di Pierro F, et al. Clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of BIO-C (micronized Silymarin) as a galactagogue. Acta Biomed. (2008)