Milk thistle is a popular herb for liver support. Its extract (silymarin) is claimed to boost detox and increase antioxidant defense. People traditionally use milk thistle for digestive, liver, and gallbladder issues. Read on to learn about its potential side effects, dosage, and potential ways to improve the poor bioavailability of milk thistle\u2019s active compound silybin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Milk thistle is a relative of dandelion<\/a> and regular artichoke<\/a>. Sometimes it\u2019s called \u201cwild artichoke.\u201d This herb is native to Southern Europe, Russia, Asia, and Africa and is now also cultivated throughout the world [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n The seed-like fruits of the plant are used medicinally. Traditionally, though, the leaves were used in salads and the fruit of the flower roasted as a coffee<\/a> substitute [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silymarin is a mix of active components that are highly concentrated in a standardized extract of milk thistle seeds [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Milk thistle (Silybum marianum<\/em>) is a medicinal plant that belongs to a large family of flowering plants (Asteraceae). <\/p>\n\n\n\n It has been used traditionally for thousands of years as a \u201cliver elixir\u201d for a variety of diseases to do with liver dysfunction or gallbladder problems. Despite its long-standing use, clinical evidence about its effectiveness for these uses is lacking [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n It has also been researched for its effects on protecting the liver against snake poison, insect stings, mushroom poisoning, and alcohol abuse. Nonetheless, these uses also lack solid clinical data [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n In line with this, National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCIH) concluded that little is known about whether milk thistle is effective in people, as only a few well-designed clinical studies have been conducted<\/strong> [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the US, milk thistle is among the most popular herbal supplements. It\u2019s also commonly used in other parts of the world, especially in Germany – the largest producer of milk thistle (Madaus). The German Scientific Board recommends its use for indigestion, toxin-induced liver damage, cirrhosis, and liver inflammation [R<\/a>, R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Milk thistle is a good example of traditional plant uses being put to scientific scrutiny. Although over 70 low-quality human studies in total have been published, few high-quality clinical trials have investigated the health benefits of milk thistle. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite insufficient evidence from clinical trials, milk thistle extracts and its main active component (silybin) have been regarded as remedies for liver diseases in Europe solely based on their history of traditional use [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n The European Medicines Agency stated that although clinical evidence is weak, the effectiveness of milk thistle is “plausible” and there is evidence that this herb has been used safely in for at least 30 years [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the NCCIH points out that the results from clinical trials of milk thistle for liver diseases have been mixed, and two rigorously-designed studies found no benefit <\/strong>[R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Milk thistle supplements have not been approved by the FDA for medical use. Supplements generally lack solid clinical research. Regulations set manufacturing standards for them but don’t guarantee that they’re safe or effective. Speak with your doctor before supplementing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This article will take you through the science behind milk thistle and its health implications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The seed-like milk thistle fruit (achenes) contains the active ingredient silymarin <\/strong>along with other compounds such as [R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silymarin makes up to 3% of the dry fruit, while fruit extracts can have up to 80% [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silymarin is a complex mixture of flavonoid complexes that <\/strong>includes [R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Since silybin is the main active compound of this mixture, most milk thistle supplements are measured by how much of it they contain<\/strong> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Silybin concentrations in various extracts can vary:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip:<\/strong> Don\u2019t get confused when you look at the supplement label. Remember: Milk thistle extracts should be high in silymarin (60 – 80%) and a large part of this silymarin complex should be silybin (at least 20% but aim for those with 50 – 70%)!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientists hypothesize that silymarin might act on the biological pathways to [R<\/a>]:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The above-proposed mechanisms remain unproven in humans. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, silymarin has poor bioavailability<\/strong>. Absorbed silymarin is quickly broken down and transformed into inactive metabolites in the liver. Most of it is eliminated through bile<\/a>, together with bile acids [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fruits of milk thistle, not to be confused with blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus<\/em>), were historically used by mothers for stimulating milk production. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Milk thistle use was associated with a legend according to which the white veins of the plant\u2019s leaves were a drop of the milk of the mother of Jesus who found shelter in a bower of the plants. Thus, the plant is sometimes called Mary thistle, holy thistle, blessed virgin thistle or Christ\u2019s crown [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have in mind that the use of milk thistle in breastfeeding women might be dangerous. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid this herb due to a lack of safety data.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow much do we know?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Traditional Uses<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bioactive Components (Silybin)<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mechanism of Action & Metabolism<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Legend of the “Blessed Virgin Thistle”<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n