Milk thistle may protect against the liver toxicity or liver damage sometimes caused by antipsychotic drugs, such as chlorpromazine and thioridazine. It is advisable to consult a physician or pharmacist if this combination is considered.
The use of milk thistle in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.
Milk thistle is also known as holy thistle, Our lady's thistle, Mary thistle, Marian thistle, St. Mary thistle, silybum, and Silybum marianum. Milk thistle has been used for stomach and appetite complaints, liver problems, gallbladder problems, and as an antidote to death cap (Amanita) mushroom poisoning.
The Silybum marianum family encompasses daisies and thistles, including the common thistle and artichoke. Milk thistle is native to the Mediterranean region but also grows in many parts of Europe and America. The active extract of milk thistle is silymarin, a mixture of the flavonolignans, including silydianin, silychristin and silybin. Concentrations of silymarin are highest in the fruit of the plant, with lower concentrations in the seeds and leaves. The compounds of milk thistle are known as Cardui Mariae Herba and Cardui Mariae Fructus. Cardui Mariae Herba does not contain silymarin; Cardui Mariae Fructus contains silymarin. Most commercial preparations of milk thistle are standardized to contain at least 70% silymarin.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used for 2,000 years as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly liver, kidney, and gall bladder problems. Several scientific studies suggest that substances in milk thistle (especially a flavonoid called silymarin) protect the liver from toxins, including certain drugs such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), which can cause liver damage in high doses. Silymarin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and it may help the liver repair itself by growing new cells.
Although a number of animal studies demonstrate that milk thistle can be helpful in protecting the liver, results in human studies are mixed.
The active ingredient -- the one that protects the liver -- in milk thistle is known as silymarin, a chemical extracted from the seeds. Silymarin is actually a group of flavonoids (silibinin, silydianin, and silicristin), which are thought to help repair liver cells damaged by alcohol and other toxic substances. Silymarin also keeps new liver cells from being destroyed by these same toxins. It reduces inflammation (which is why it is often suggested for people with liver inflammation or hepatitis) and is a strong antioxidant.
Most milk thistle products are standardized preparations made from the seeds of the plant. Most preparations are standardized to contain 70 - 80% of silymarin.
Milk thistle is used for dyspeptic complaints, supportive treatment in chronic inflammatory liver disease, hepatic cirrhosis, and liver damage.
Cardui Mariae Herba: Preparations of milk thistle are used as a tonic, stimulant, for functional disorders of the liver and gallbladder, and for jaundice.
Cardui Mariae Fructus (Silymarin): Used for loss of appetite and liver and gallbladder complaints.
Milk thistle supplements have been explored for chronic hepatitis, however, larger, well-designed studies are needed before it can be recommended for this condition.
Preliminary studies suggest milk thistle supplements may be beneficial for people with cirrhosis. It may improve liver function. More research is needed, however, because many of the studies conducted so far on milk thistle and cirrhosis have been poorly designed.
Milk thistle may protect the liver against toxicity from acetaminophen (Tylenol), alcohol and other drugs. In Europe, milk thistle is reportedly administered to patients when they are given medications known to cause liver problems.
Milk thistle is widely used in the treatment of viral hepatitis (particularly hepatitis C). However, studies show mixed results. Some found improvements in liver function, while others did not. In one study of 16 patients who didn't respond to interferon and ribavirin therapy, milk thistle significantly reduced the viral load of hepatitis C. In 7 of the subjects the virus decreased to undetectable levels after 14 days of therapy.
Based on traditional use, milk thistle has been used as an emergency antidote to poisoning by death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides). Animal studies have found that milk thistle extract completely counteracts the toxic effects of the mushroom when given within 10 minutes of ingestion. If given within 24 hours, it significantly reduces the risk of liver damage and death.
Early laboratory studies also suggest that silymarin and other active substances in milk thistle may have anticancer effects. These substances appear to stop cancer cells from dividing and reproducing, shorten their lifespan, and reduce blood supply to tumors. Some studies suggest silymarin may favorably supplement sunscreen protection and may help reduce the risk of skin cancer. More studies are needed, however, to show whether milk thistle has any effects in the body (not just in test tubes).
Milk thistle has also been explored for high cholesterol.
Source: Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR Tehran, Iran.
Oxidative stresses are increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications which may either cause direct pancreatic beta-cell damage or lead to metabolic abnormalities that can induce or aggravate diabetes. The valuable effect of antioxidant nutrients on the glycemic control of diabetic patients has been reported in experimental and clinical studies. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of the herbal medicine, Silybum marianum seed extract (silymarin), which is known to have antioxidant properties on the glycemic profile in diabetic patients. A 4-month randomized double-blind clinical trial was conducted in 51 type II diabetic patients in two well-matched groups. The first group (n = 25) received a silymarin (200 mg) tablet 3 times a day plus conventional therapy. The second group (n = 26) received the same therapy but a placebo tablet instead of silymarin. The patients were visited monthly and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1)c), fasting blood glucose (FBS), insulin, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL, triglyceride, SGOT and SGPT levels were determined at the beginning and the end of the study. The results showed a significant decrease in HbA(1)c, FBS, total cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride SGOT and SGPT levels in silymarin treated patients compared with placebo as well as with values at the beginning of the study in each group. In conclusion, silymarin treatment in type II diabetic patients for 4 months has a beneficial effect on improving the glycemic profile.
Milk thistle may inhibit the metabolism of certain drugs. Before taking milk thistle, ask your doctor if any drugs you are taking are metabolized by a liver enzyme called CYP3A4. You may not be able to take milk thistle, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring while you are taking it.
Before taking milk thistle, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have allergies (especially to plants), have any medical conditions, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Milk thistle may not be recommended in some situations.
Do not take milk thistle without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. It is not known whether milk thistle will harm an unborn baby. Do not take milk thistle without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. It is also not known whether milk thistle will harm a nursing infant. There is no information available regarding the use of milk thistle by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.
Side effects may include indigestion, headache and itching. Rarely, milk thistle may result in heartburn, gas, diarrhea, joint pain.
People with allergies to daisies, artichokes, kiwi, common thistle or plants in the aster family may also be allergic to milk thistle. There have been several reports of anaphylactic shock in people who have used milk thistle products.
Theoretically, milk thistle may lower blood sugar levels, so it should be used with caution by people with diabetes, hypoglycemia and those taking medications or supplements that affect blood sugar levels.
There is a theoretical risk that milk thistle could have an estrogen-like effect, so people with hormone-sensitive conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids or cancers of the breast, uterus and ovaries should avoid milk thistle, particularly the above ground parts of the plant.
The use of herbs is a time honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care practitioner.
Milk thistle is generally regarded as safe. Side effects are usually mild and may involve stomach upset and diarrhea. Some people may get a rash from touching milk thistle plants.
Do not take milk thistle if you are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, chamomile, yarrow, or daisies.
If you are being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use milk thistle without first talking to your health care provider.
Antipsychotics -- includes butyrophenones (such as haloperidol) and phenothiazines (such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, and promethazine)
Phenytoin (Dilantin) -- a medication used for seizures
Halothane -- a medication used during general anesthesia
Milk thistle may interfere with the following medications, because both milk thistle and these medications are broken down by the same liver enzymes:
Allergy drugs -- such as fexofenadine (Allegra)
Drugs for high cholesterol -- including statins such as lovastatin (Mevacor, Altocor)
Antianxiety drugs -- including alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan)
Antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs (blood thinners) -- including clopidogrel (Plavix) and warfarin (Coumadin)
Some cancer drugs
Drugs broken down by the liver -- because milk thistle works on the liver, it may affect drugs broken down by the liver, of which there are many. Speak with your health care provider.
Not a Bad Product June 24, 2010, From Singapore
I have taken for a week and notice that i don't feel that bloated and feels lighter.
Horrible September 01, 2008, From North Carolina
2 pills was all it took to set off really bad food allergies.
Not potent enough December 30, 2009, From Australia
Not the strongest liver cleanser I have ever taken..
good June 07, 2011, From North Carolina
seems to help my acne, some.
Good, but very diuretic September 29, 2011, From California
Like many reviewers here have mentioned, this has everything but the kitchen sink in it. It does a very good job at detoxing and regenerating the liver. My only complaint is that it has too strong of a diuretic action. While taking this product I have to urinate every hour or so. After four days I felt dehydrated, even though I was drinking lots of fluids. I will probably use this every few months for a short time.
Working so Far! June 29, 2009, From Iowa
I've been taking these for about 10 days now, and I seem to have a little more energy, and a little less bloat!
Great cleanser August 03, 2009, From Oregon
I've been having some detox issues, and this product really encourages impurities to get out. My skin is clearer and I have more energy.
Excellent August 13, 2009, From Australia
Since I've had my gallbladder removed I have to be particularly careful of taking care of my liver and this product has helped a lot with the digestive problems I was having.
Has helped me tremendously! August 19, 2008, From Arizona
I've taken this for 3 months and it's helped me tremendously with digestion and sluggish liver...
Long Term Gallbladder Relief August 05, 2011, By Lisa Guest From Texas
I take this herb to help with my symptoms of gallstones. Taken over long periods of time, this helps the liver to produce clean, healthy bile and dissolve stones. This does NOT stop gallbladder attacks; it does, however, provide a strong tonic and aids in healing. Must take consistently over time to achieve results.
It helps August 15, 2011, From Michigan
My wife has a fatty liver and her blood tests should high liver enzymes. She started taking these and the next test showed her enzymes were dropping. Taking these was the only change she made.
Most of the essential Liver support nutrients you might not get from your diet. August 15, 2011, From Colorado
Everyone is different. But here is my own analysis for me. Why I take it: -Weak liver as characterized by many things; diet is not the healthiest. -I eat meat which can make the liver work more to filter out saturated fats. -Fatigue and lethargic brain fog is another sign. Results: -Better overall sense of well-being. -More energy. -Less brain fog. -Better bowel movements which means better detoxification.
for my husband April 26, 2011, From Korea, Republic of
He doesn't complain about his fatigue anymore. and seems to be much more energetic. so I bought another bottle for my sis. Thanks