Milk thistle has been used for medicinal purposes for about 2, 000 years. It's most often recognized for its apparent ability to restore the liver and treat gallbladder problems. An antioxidant contained in milk thistle called silymarin may help the liver repair itself by stimulating new cell growth, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC). The term silymarin is often used to refer to milk thistle. Overall, silymarin appears to be safe and well tolerated.
Background
Milk thistle has been used in Europe as a liver restorative, according to the American Cancer Society. Today, milk thistle is commonly suggested as a treatment for liver diseases such as hepatitis C and cirrhosis.
Milk thistle supplements are made from the ripe seed of the plant. Supplements are available as a capsule, tablet, powder and liquid extract. The flower, roots and stalk of the milk thistle plant contain minimal amounts of silymarin and are not typically used in supplements.
Side Effects
Milk thistle appears to have few side effects when taken as directed, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). In some instances people have reported headaches, diarrhea nausea and bloating. There have been rare reports of heartburn, joint pain and impotence from consuming milk thistle.
Allergic Response
People who are allergic to daisies, artichokes, ragweed, marigold or kiwi may have allergic reactions to milk thistle, according to the NCCAM. The Mayo Clinic says a severe allergic response called anaphylactic shock from milk thistle tea or tablets has occurred in a number of patients.
Precautions
People with diabetes or hypoglycemia should use caution when taking milk thistle because it can theoretically lower blood sugar levels, according to the Mayo Clinic.
People with a history of hormone-receptive cancers, including breast and prostate cancer, should not take milk thistle because milk thistle plant extract might have estrogenic effects.
It's unclear whether milk thistle is safe to take during pregnancy, so the Mayo Clinic advises against it.
Interactions
Certain medications may interact with milk thistle because both substances are broken down by the same liver enzymes, according to the UMMC. They inlcude allergy medications such as fexofenadine (Allegra), cholesterol-lowering drugs including lovastatin (Mevacor, Altocor) and anti-anxiety drugs such as diazepam (Valium). Antipsychotics including butyrophenones (haloperidol) and phenothiazines (chlorpromazine) may also interact with milk thistle.
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