History and Origin
Milk thistle is an annual or biennial plant which grows up to 1.5 meters. Milk thistle has been classified in Dipsacaceae family, Carduus genus. New botanical system has classified it in Compositae / Asteraceae family. Edge of its leaves is wavy and barbed and leaves have white veins and are shiny green. Its flowers are piped and red violet color. Its fruit (seed) is egg-shaped, light-dark brown with hard shell which is protected by hair-shaped, white, and silk objects. Its violet flowers have about 190 seeds which have the most medicinal properties. These seeds contain silymarins, an effective compound in Milk thistle extract. Its stalk has ridge and thistle. The main origin of Milk thistle is Mediterranean region. Milk thistle is native to Europe, Middle East, North Africa, and some parts of Mediterranean. However, it is found all over the world. Many gardeners consider this plant as a weed due to its high growth rate. Usually, it is cultivated on dry rocky soil of Europe, Australia, Canada, China and North and South America as a medicinal plant. Milk thistle fruit (seed) are harvested shortly before it is ripe; when the fruit ripens, the seeds get out of shell. In France, its young leaves, upper part of buds and stem have popularity as a delicious food.
Milk Thistle Health Benefits
1. Regulating Blood Glucose Levels
Oxidative stress is involved in pathogenic factors originated by side effects of diabetes increasingly; factors which may cause damage to pancreas beta cell or lead to metabolic disorder which can induce or exacerbate diabetes. Valuable effect of antioxidant nutrients on glycemic control (an index for measuring the effect of food on blood glucose level) on diabetic patients has been reported in experimental and clinical studies. In 2006, a study was designed to diagnose the effects of Milk thistle seed extract (silymarin) which has antioxidant properties on glycemic profile in diabetic patients and its results were published in journal of Phytotherapy Research. A random clinical trial was performed on 51 patients with diabetes type 2 in 2 groups for 4 months. The first group (25 people) received a 200mg tablet containing silymarin along with conventional therapy. The second group (26 people) had the same treatment, but received placebo tablet instead of silymarin. The patients were visited every month and the amount of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1)c), fasting blood glucose level (FBS), insulin, total cholesterol level, LDL and HDL, triglyceride, SGOT and SGPT were measured at the beginning and end of the study.
SGOT and SGPT are enzymes that exist in liver and heart cells naturally and in the case of damage to liver or heart are released in blood.
According to the results, a significant reduction in glycosylated hemoglobin, fasting blood glucose level (FBS), total cholesterol level, LDL, triglyceride, SGOT and SGPT were observed in patients treated by silymarin compared with the placebo and also the values gained at the beginning of the study. Therefore, in patients with diabetes type 2, treating with silymarin for 4 months had a useful effect on glycemic profile.
2. Increasing Breast Milk Production
Breastfeeding has important health benefits for infants and mothers. Recently, it has been suggested that Milk thistle (Milk thistle seed) can be used to stimulate milk production by nursing mom. However, the mechanism of function of this medicinal plant is still unknown. In this study, the effect of micronized standard extract of Milk thistle on prolactin serum levels in female rats was assessed. In a 14 days treatment with this extract (25 to 200 mg/kg, oral) prolactin levels increased in a dose dependent method. Also, after 66 days discontinuation of Silymarin treatment, prolactin levels were still significantly high; but a declining trend in prolactin amount was observed which was confronted through a 7 days additional treatment period with silymarin extract. Bromocriptine (agonist activator (dopamine D2 receptor)) in dose of (1 t0 10 mg/kg, oral) reduces serum prolactin levels. Bromocriptine in dose of 1mg/kg decreases high levels of serum prolactin originated by silymarin significantly. Therefore, this study showed that the extract of Milk thistle seed increases prolactin levels in blood circulation significantly in female rats. It seems that in some cases this effect is related to dopamine D2 receptors. The results of this study were published in journal of Phytomedicine in 2009.
3. Calming Anxiety and Stress
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a current neurological-psychological disease. Although various medicinal factors exist for treating OCD, but psychologists understood that often many patients can’t bear side effects of these drugs and respond to treatment properly or the drugs lose their effect after a treatment period. Herbal medicine can be a solution for some of these problems. In fact, there are many plants with psychedelic effects and fewer side effects. These plants can be used as an alternative treatment and/ or in order to increase effectiveness against common symptoms of OCD. A study was done to compare the effect of Milk thistle extract with Fluoxetine (an anti-depression drug) in OCD treatment. This study is an 8 weeks, preliminary, double-blinded and random trial. According to an organized clinical interview, 35 adults who had indicators of suffering from OCD participated in this trial. In this random study, patients randomly received a 600mg capsule of Milk thistle extract or a 30 mg capsule of Fluoxetine for 8 weeks. The results didn’t show any significant difference between the extract and Fluoxetine in OCD treatment. Also there wasn’t any significant difference between the two groups regarding the observed side effects. The results of this study were published in journal of Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry in 2010. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a current neurological-psychological disease. Although various medicinal factors exist for treating OCD, but psychologists understood that often many patients can’t bear side effects of these drugs and respond to treatment properly or the drugs lose their effect after a treatment period. Herbal medicine can be a solution for some of these problems. In fact, there are many plants with psychedelic effects and fewer side effects. These plants can be used as an alternative treatment and/ or in order to increase effectiveness against common symptoms of OCD. A study was done to compare the effect of Milk thistle extract with Fluoxetine (an anti-depression drug) in OCD treatment. This study is an 8 weeks, preliminary, double-blinded and random trial. According to an organized clinical interview, 35 adults who had indicators of suffering from OCD participated in this trial. In this random study, patients randomly received a 600mg capsule of Milk thistle extract or a 30 mg capsule of Fluoxetine for 8 weeks. The results didn’t show any significant difference between the extract and Fluoxetine in OCD treatment. Also there wasn’t any significant difference between the two groups regarding the observed side effects. The results of this study were published in journal of Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry in 2010.
4. Anti-Inflammatory
The extract containing silymarin active ingredient and Milk thistle seed have anti-inflammation and anti-arthritis effects that is due to strong antioxidant properties and scavenging free radicals (as pre-inflammation factor). Silymarin is more effective in cases that arthritis is relapsing in comparison to cases that arthritis has developed. Silymarin and Silybinins prevent inflammatory process through inhibiting neutrophil migration and inhibition of kupffer cells.
5. Anti-Allergy
Silymarin and silybinins in Milk thistle inhibit formation of inflammatory mediators (prostaglandins and leukotriene) and release of histamine from basophils. Therefore, Milk thistle seed may have anti-allergic and anti-asthmatic activities.
6. Increasing Antioxidant Activity
According to reports, silymarin as a very effective antioxidant causes scavenging of free radicals (active oxygen species) and inhibition of lipid peroxidation; so protects cells from oxidative stress which leads to an increase in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense system of the cells including decreased glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase. This system can protect liver, brain, heart and other organs due to its ability in preventing lipid peroxidation and replacement of decreased levels of glutathione. Silybinins has membrane protective properties and it can protect blood constituents from oxidative damage.
Antioxidant effect of silymarin in preventing liver damage resulted from Psychotropic drug (treatment of psychopathy) was assessed. This trial was done on 60 patients who were under chronic treatment by psychotropic drug that received silymarin or placebo for 90 days. The results showed that silymarin consumption reduces lipoperoxidative liver damage. According to the results of this study, lipoperoxidative increase may be related to liver damage originated by Psychotropic drug. The results of this study were published in journal of Current Therapeutic Research.
7. Improving Liver Function
History of consumption of Milk thistle seeds for liver care dates back to first century. Antioxidant activity is one of the most important factors in liver protection.
According to available evidences, Milk thistle may protect liver through a series of mechanisms such as antioxidant activity, toxin blockade at the membrane level, increasing protein synthesis, antifibrotic activity and anti-inflammation or immune modulating effects.
- Anti-hepatotoxicity potential: Silymarin protects liver against so many toxic factors of liver in human and animals. Some mushrooms such as Amanita phalloides (amanita, known as the death cup fungus) and A. Virosa contain two toxins of phalloidin and alpha-amanitin; these two toxins cause destruction of hepatocytes cell membrane and blocking liver protein synthesis that leads to severe liver damage and death. Silymarin prevents these effects effectively through two ways: 1) blocking the toxin’s binding sites; 2) increasing regenerative capacity of liver cells. Intravenous injection of silybinins during 24 hours after mushroom consumption is an effective action against liver damage. In a study 60 patients with severe poisoning with amanita mushroom were treated by infusion containing 20mg/kg silybinins; the best results were achieved and no death was observed. Silymarin is often used as supportive treatment in food poisoning due to mushroom consumption. Milk thistle protects liver against ischemic damage (reduction of blood flow in organs), extra amounts of iron and radiation.
- The German Commission E confirms silymarin consumption for treating liver diseases such as hepatitis A, alcoholic cirrhosis and chemicals induced hepatitis.
- Alcoholic liver cirrhosis: Ethanol metabolism includes formation of free radicals leading to oxidative stress in liver. Silymarin successfully opposes liver cirrhosis induced by alcohol consumption through antioxidant mechanisms and restoring liver biochemical factors at normal level.
- Hepatitis: in patients with acute viral hepatitis, silymarin reduced treatment period and improved serum bilirubin and liver enzyme levels. Also, the amount of biochemical parameters in patients who were treated with silymarin are restored to normal levels earlier.
- Liver fibrosis: Liver fibrosis can lead to a change in liver structure which leads to hepatic insufficiency. Silymarin inhibits this process significantly that indicates its anti-fibrotic potential.
- Regeneration of liver tissue: Silymarin stimulates regeneration of liver tissue through increasing protein synthesis in injured liver. In trials performed on liver of the rats, silybinin increased formation of ribosomes, DNA synthesis and protein synthesis. The interesting thing is that increase of protein synthesis originated by silybinin was observed just in injured livers and this effect was not observed in healthy liver samples.
8. Boosting Immune System
Activity of adjusting body immune system associated with silymarin in patients with liver diseases may include liver protective function in this compound. Silymarin protected rats against suppressed immune system originated by UV radiation in vitro. Silybinin controlled T lymphocytes and human multi-core leukocyte. Full-time consumption of silymarin improves immune system through increasing T lymphocytes (one of the types of immune system cell), interleukins (blood white cells compounds which adjust immune system response) and decreasing all types of immunoglobulins (every type of protein in serum and every type of immune system cell that acts as antibody).
Silymarin can be useful as a supportive drug in cases which require suppression of immune system such as autoimmune diseases and types of infections.
9. Anti-Microbial
Although silymarin does not affect virus proliferation, but has a helpful effect on hepatitis virus, through its controlling function on inflammatory and cytotoxic (cell toxicity) processes originated by viral infections. Silybinins controls growth of cells infected with hepatitis B virus through inducing cell death (apoptosis induction). Also, silymarin has controlling activity against other virus in different cell lines.
10. Regulating Blood Cholesterol Levels
Silymarin consumption by patients with high blood fat (type 2) causes mild reduction of total cholesterol levels and HDL cholesterol level in blood plasma. Silymarin reduced cholesterol plasma levels and LD lipoprotein in rats with high blood fat, while silybinins did not reduce cholesterol plasma levels in normal rats; although, reduced total phospholipid levels. Also biliary cholesterol and phospholipid concentrations in rats was reduced slightly. Part of reduction in biliary cholesterol and phospholipids induced by silymarin consumption in both human and rat samples may be due to reduction in liver cholesterol synthesis. Silymarin can be a new factor in preventing and treating high blood fat and atherosclerosis.
11. Anti-cancer
In 2014 a study with the purpose of diagnosing anti-cancer effects of silymarin on two cell lines of breast cancer, BT-474 and SK-BR-3 was performed and its results were published in Journal of Advances in Breast Cancer Research. SK-BR-3 and BT-474 cell lines were provided from cell bank of Pasture center. Cells were cultured in standard conditions (37degrees Celsius, 95% humidity and 5% carbon dioxide pressure). Sk-BR-3 and BT-474, two cell lines of breast cancer were incubated for 24 hours and then 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600 micromole silymarin was added to the culture environment of every cell lines. Milk thistle controlled growth of two cell lines of breast cancer of BT-474 and SK-BR-3 in different concentrations after 24, 48 and 72 hours. Silymarin increased cell death in both cell lines. Silymarin can be combined with other chemotherapy drugs in order to achieve better results.
12. Improving Cardiovascular System Function
During cancer treatment period, consumption of certain chemotherapy drugs is limited due to toxic effect on heart; this effect is created by oxidative stress and apoptosis induction (cell death). Silybinins has cardiovascular protective properties due to antioxidant and membrane protection functions.
In 2017, a study with the purpose of diagnosing protective properties of oil fractions of Milk thistle seed extract against destructive effect of gamma ray in female Albino rats was done and its result was published in Int J Pharm Pharm Sci magazine. Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), metalotathione (MT) in heart and brain tissues of rats was estimated. Also lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatinine kinase-MB in serums of rats and biomarkers of brain including dopamine and serotonin were measured. Treatment of destructive effect of gamma ray with consumption of Milk thistle seed extract and its oil fractions lead to a significant reduction in malodialdehyde levels in heart and brain tissues. However significant increase of decreased glutathione levels was observed in heart and brain tissues. Also significant increase in dopamine and metalothionin levels of heart tissue was observed. According to the results it can be concluded that Milk thistle seed extract and its oil fractions have a protective effect against heart and brain damage induced by gamma ray.
13. Improving Nervous System Function
Silymarin has been useful in prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative (nerve wrecking) and neurotoxic (toxic effect on nerves) processes due to its antioxidant effects. Silymarin can protect dopaminergic neurons against nerve toxicity originated by lipopolysaccharide in brain effectively.
Silymarin in dose of 200 (mg/ kg/ daily) reduced protein oxidation in hippocampus and cortex of old rats compared with young rats. Silymarin can be used as a choice compound against Alzheimer in which protein oxidation is an important early occasion. According to previous studies, silymarin has antioxidant activities in central nervous system which enters central nervous system through brain-blood barrier.
14. Improving Kidney Function
Silymarin helps in maintaining normal renal function. Silymarin effect in rats with diabetes mellitus induced by alloxan was examined. Alloxan produces active oxygen species which damage renal tissue. Silymarin was consumed for 20 days after 9 weeks treatment with alloxan which was effective in kidney tissue damages. This compound has antioxidant effect through increasing gene expression of antioxidant enzymes and increasing some of most important protective mechanisms against damages of free radicals containing superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase. Therefore, silymarin can be used as a drug for treating diabetic nephropathy.
15. Increasing Fertility
In 2015 a study with the purpose of investigating the effect of silymarin on reproductive variables in male Wistar rats with liver fibrosis originated by carbon tetrachloride was done and its results was published in The American Journal Innovative Research and Applied Sciences. The results of the study showed that liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride reduces some reproductive variables in male rats. This effect happens because of hypogonadism (producing small and a few amount of hormone by gonads) due to decrease in testicular spermatogenic, steroidogenic functions, and decrease in the plasma level of pituitary gonadotropin (FSH and LH). Significant reduction has been observed in change of cell arrangement in testicles area in the group that has been treated by silymarin.
16. Increasing Bile Secretion
Liver protective effect of silymarin on bile secretion regarding secretion of bile salts in Wistar rats was studied. Silymarin in doses of 25, 50, 100 and 150 (mg/kg/daily) for 5 days caused a dose dependent increase in bile flow and secretion of bile salts. The most effect was observed in dose of 100 (mg/kg/daily). According to the results, silymarin increases bile secretion.
What Are Milk Thistle Side Effects?
1. When taken by mouth: No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with the proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages. So, milk thistle is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth for most adults.
Note: In some people, taking milk thistle extract can cause diarrhea, nausea, intestinal gas, fullness or pain, loss of appetite, and possibly headache. For example, Episodes of severe sweating, abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and weakness were recently reported in Australia, but the reaction was found to be due to a substance in the Milk Thistle product other than silybin.
2. When applied to the skin: Milk thistle extract or oil is POSSIBLY SAFE when applied directly to the skin for short periods of time.
3. Pregnancy : There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking milk thistle if you are pregnant. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
4. Breast-feeding: Before taking milk thistle, consult your healthcare provider.
5. Diabetes: Certain chemicals in milk thistle might lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. Dosing adjustments to diabetes medications might be necessary.
6. Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Milk thistle extracts might act like estrogen. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don't use these extracts.
7. Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Milk thistle may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking milk thistle.
Generally, every person may be allergic to certain herbs and spices. This sensitivity must be first diagnosed by the person and secondarily by the physician. However, these allergic reactions do not cause chronic or acute side effects, and after identifying the allergenic plant and removing it from the diet, allergy-related complications will be eliminated. No company or product can be aware of the allergic reactions of different bodies in advance. The body's incompatibility with one or more specific herbs rarely occurs, but consumers may encounter it anyway.
Milk Thistle Daily Dosage
1- Milk thistle infusion: Pouring boiling water over 1/2 teaspoonful of the herb and then straining after 5 to 10 minutes. The average dose of the infusion is 2 to 3 cups daily.
2- Milk thistle oil: Take one to two teaspoons (5 to 10 ml) daily.
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Milk Thistle for Liver Diseases
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Dry extract 40-70:1 (w/w), 70-80% silymarin
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Swallow one capsule containing 100-200 mg of silymarin, twice daily in the morning and evening.
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Or, take one capsule containing approximately 140 mg of silymarin, two to three times daily.
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Milk Thistle for Digestive Disorders
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Decoction
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Place approximately 3.0 g seed in 150 ml cold water, bring to a boil and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, three to four times daily.
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Infusion
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Steep approximately 3.5 g seed in 150 ml boiled water for 10 to 15 minutes, three to four times daily one half-hour before meals.
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Tincture
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15-25 drops, four to five times daily; 1-2 ml, three times daily.
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Note: Silymarin is poorly soluble in water; teas have been analyzed with only about 10% of the original levels of silymarin from the fruits. Thus, for hepatic benefits, the oil or concentrated extract is recommended.
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Bioactive Compounds
The active constituents of milk thistle seed are three flavonolignans namely silibinin, silychristin, and silidianin collectively called Silymarin. Silibinin is the most biologically active. It also contains betaine, apigenin, silybonol, fixed oil (linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid), protein, tocopherol, sterols (cholesterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, sitosterol), free fatty acids and mucilage.
Best Time to Consume
1-2 hours before or after meals.
Possible Drug Interactions
1. Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates): Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver. Milk thistle might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some medications. Taking milk thistle along with some medications that are broken down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some medications. Before taking milk thistle talk to your healthcare provider if you take any medications that are changed by the liver. Some medications that are changed by the liver include amitriptyline (Elavil), diazepam (Valium), zileuton (Zyflo), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Voltaren), fluvastatin (Lescol), glipizide (Glucotrol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar), phenytoin (Dilantin), piroxicam (Feldene), tamoxifen (Nolvadex), tolbutamide, torsemide (Demadex) and warfarin (Coumadin).
2. Medications changed by the liver (Glucuronidated Drugs): The body breaks down some medications to get rid of them. The liver helps break down these medications. Taking milk thistle might affect how well the liver breaks down drugs. This could increase or decrease how well some of these medications work. Some of these medications changed by the liver include acetaminophen, atorvastatin (Lipitor), diazepam (Valium), digoxin, entacapone (Comtan), estrogen, irinotecan (Camptosar), lamotrigine (Lamictal), lorazepam (Ativan), lovastatin (Mevacor), meprobamate, morphine and oxazepam (Serax).
3. Estrogens: Milk thistle might decrease hormones in the body. Milk thistle might help the body break down estrogen pills to get rid of them. Taking milk thistle along with estrogens might decrease the effectiveness of estrogen pills. Milk thistle contains a chemical called silymarin that helps the body break down estrogens. Some estrogen pills include conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin), ethinyl estradiol and estradiol.
4. Medications used for lowering cholesterol (Statins): Milk thistle might change the levels of some medications used for lowering cholesterol (statins). This could increase or decrease how well these medications work. Some medications used for lowering cholesterol include atorvastatin (Lipitor), fluvastatin (Lescol), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), and rosuvastatin (Crestor).
5. The concomitant use of silymarin and butyrophenones or phenothiazines results in a reduction of lipid peroxidation.
Traditional Use
- Milk thistle had been used as a medicine since 4th century B. C. History of Milk thistle consumption in liver diseases dates back to 1700s and its consumption for liver treatment can be understood from Greek resources.
- Nicholas Kalper- English botanist in 17th century- in his writings had mentioned that Milk thistle is useful in treating jaundice and obstruction of the liver and spleen.
- Eclectic therapeutic system (therapeutic system according to selection of the best therapeutic method among other methods) in 19th and 20th century had used Milk thistle in treating varicose veins, menstrual pains and congestion of liver, spleen and kidney.
- In homeopathy medicine, a tincture (aqueous-ethanol essence with 25:75 proportions) of Milk thistle seeds had been used in treating liver disorders, jaundice, bile stone, and peritoneum inflammation, bleeding, types of bronchitis and varicose veins.
- In 16th century, a short time after wars, Milk thistle had been used to help depression and emotional distress. Europeans continued Milk thistle consumption with the same purpose.
- In early 18th century, people had used Milk thistle in treating other disease such as irregular menstrual, varicose veins, kidney and spleen problems. Also today Milk thistle is used as an effective therapeutic method in treating these diseases.
- Dioscorides–physician of Roman army- had used Milk thistle in treating snakebite. Milk thistle seed had been used by Saxons as a method in treating infective diseases originated by bite of rabid animals which today is known as hydrophobia, (water phobia is considered as a symptom of rabies).
- Milk thistle seeds contain an active ingredient which has a particular effect on liver. Rademache, German physician in 19th century- prescribed a tincture of its seeds for his patients. Due to its successful effect, today this tincture exists in pharmacopoeia list named as Tinctura Cardui Mariae Rademacher.
- In Chinese traditional medicine, Milk thistle is used in heat removal and disposal of body poisons.
Some Questions about Milk Thistle
Can you eat milk thistle seeds?
Yes. The ripe seeds are medicinal parts of the plant.
What is milk thistle tea good for?
The German Commission E approved milk thistle for dyspeptic, liver, and gallbladder (including jaundice, gallbladder colic and diseases of the spleen) complaints. The herb is used as a stimulant for toxic liver damage and adjunctive treatment in hepatic cirrhosis and chronic inflammatory liver disease. Milk thistle (Silymarin) also has the following health benefits:
- Regulating blood glucose levels
- Calming anxiety and stress
- Anti-inflammatory
- Increasing antioxidant activity
- Anti-microbial & boosting immune system
- Regulating blood cholesterol levels
- Improving kidney function
Does milk thistle tea detox the liver? / Does milk thistle cleanse your liver?
Yes. The silymarin in the seed, in particular silychristin and silydianin, is responsible for its hepatoprotective properties. The compounds seem to inhibit the entrance of toxins and block toxin-binding sites through the alteration of the liver cell's outer membrane.
How do I use milk thistle seeds for my liver? / How do you drink milk thistle seeds?
In generally healthy people, it is used as infusions, decoctions, tinctures, fluid extracts, and nonconcentrated capsules for liver support or detoxification.
To make milk thistle seed infusion, pour 100 ml of boiling water over 1/2 teaspoonful of the crushed seeds and leave to infuse for 5 to 10 minutes. Drink 2 to 3 cups daily!
Also, you can eat 1-2 teaspoons (5 to 10 ml) of milk thistle oil daily.
Is silymarin good for fatty liver?
According to numerous research, silymarin is useful in treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Can silymarin hurt your liver?
There are no known health risks associated with the proper administration of prescribed therapeutic dosages.
Can I take milk thistle every day?
Yes. You can eat milk thistle oil or milk thistle seed infusion.
Can you drink too much milk thistle tea?
No. Drink 2 to 3 cups of milk thistle tea per day.
When is the best time to take silymarin? / When should I drink milk thistle tea?
The infusion can be taken whenever you want. There is no specific time of day when it is more potent or effective.
Who should not take milk thistle? / What are the side effects of milk thistle tea?
Before drinking milk thistle tea, consult your doctor if you have any of the following conditions:
During pregnancy and breast-feeding, people with hormone-sensitive conditions, and diabetic.
How do you know if you are allergic to milk thistle? / Can you take milk thistle if you have allergies?
If you are allergic to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family (such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies), milk thistle may cause an allergic reaction. Before taking milk thistle, consult your healthcare provider.
Does milk thistle help increase milk supply?
According to a study, milk thistle seed increases prolactin levels in blood circulation and it can be used to stimulate milk production by nursing mom.
Note: Before taking milk thistle, consult your healthcare provider.
