As a popular herbal supplement taken by individuals looking to treat minor diseases and health disorders from an organic approach, milk thistle offers many health benefits. However, as with most medications and herbal supplements, patients interested in starting a treatment regimen that includes milk thistle should also be aware of the possible side effects associated with the herb.
Plant Allergies
Since milk thistle derives from a flowering plant, supplement users should be aware of the possibility of allergic reaction. According to the Mayo Clinic, patients who may be allergic to plants such as daisies, artichokes, common thistle and kiwi or to any of milk thistle's constituents, including silibinin, silychistin, silydianin, silymonin and siliandrin, may have allergic reactions to milk thistle. In extreme cases, certain supplement users could experience anaphylactic shock, especially if the dosage of milk thistle is higher than normal, which is typically 50 mg a day. This type of allergic reaction can occur in these patients regardless of the method of herb consumption, including milk thistle in the form of a tea or pill.
Flu-Like Symptoms
For a small group of supplement users, the possibility of developing side effects that mimic symptoms associated with the flu can also be common. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), these symptoms can include but are not limited to nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, joint pain, excessive sweating and other minor stomach irritations, including diarrhea and indigestion. These symptoms, according to NCCAM, were more prevalent in patients who used the supplement for more than six years at the recommended dosage of 50 mg a day. In the most severe cases, supplement users may experience similar side effects immediately after starting treatment or introducing the herb into their diet.
Precautions With Diabetes
According to the Mayo Clinic, another major side effect that can cause great concern for a small group of patients includes the probability of complications associated with diabetes. Due to milk thistle's natural ability to lower blood sugar levels, patients taking prescription medication for the treatment of diabetes must practice extreme caution in order to limit the risk of serious adverse effects, such as pancreas disorders, shortly following the implementation of the herb into their diet. As a result of this blood sugar side effect, diabetes patients are strongly encouraged to stay away from using milk thistle at any time.
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