Silymarin is the biologically active component of milk thistle. This flavonoid complex is extracted from the seeds of the milk thistle plant. The terms, silymarin and milk thistle are frequently used interchangeably, according to the Mayo Clinic. Silymarin milk thistle is popular in the United States for liver disease. Human trials on silymarin do exist, but many of these have either design or reporting problems. While it's easy to find milk thistle on grocery and drug store counters, it's best to consult with a health care professional before using it. It's also wise to be aware of silymarin's possible side effects.
Head and Stomach Ache
Studies that document side effects of silymarin milk thistle most often report headache, stomach upset, and itching, according to the Mayo Clinic. Milk thistle, however, is usually well tolerated if taken in recommended doses.
Allergic Reactions
People who have allergies to artichokes, the aster family, kiwi, common thistle, or any of milk thistle constituents can also have allergic reactions to milk thistle. Constituents include silibinin, silydianin, silymonin, silychistin and siliandrin, according to the Mayo Clinic. There have been several cases of anaphylactic shock reported with use of milk thistle tablets or tea. Overall, however, silymarin has a good safety record, the clinic advises, with rare case reports of allergic skin rashes published.
Lowers Blood Sugar
Milk thistle may lower a person's blood sugar levels. This means that people who have diabetes or hypoglycemia need to be especially cautious, advises the Mayo Clinic. People who take herbs, drugs or supplements that affect blood sugar levels should be monitored by a health care provider if adding milk thistle to their regimens.
Estrogenic Effects
Silymarin milk thistle may have estrogenic effects. Women who have conditions that are hormone sensitive are advised to avoid milk thistle's above ground parts, according to the Mayo Clinic. Conditions include endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and uterine, breast and ovarian cancers. Milk thistle seed extracts, which are more common in the marketplace, do not have known estrogenic effects, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Drug Interactions
Silymarin milk thistle can interact with several drugs, advises the University of Maryland Medical Center. These include antipsychotics; the seizure medication, phenytoin; and the general anesthesia medication, halothane. It can interfere with allergy drugs, drugs given to treat high cholesterol, some cancer drugs, blood thinners and anti-anxiety drugs because these drugs are broken down by the same liver enzymes that break milk thistle down.
Other Side Effects
People sometimes report a laxative effect, diarrhea and bloating due to taking milk thistle, reports the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Rare reports of gas, heartburn, appetite loss, joint pain and impotence due to milk thistle use also exist, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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