A fast-growing Mediterranean native, milk thistle, or Silybum marianum, produces spiky leaves and feathery purple flowers. This plant's name comes from the milky substance in its leaves. In the early 1900s, the English found culinary uses for milk thistle leaves, stalks, roots and seeds, while people throughout Europe have long attributed medicinal properties to the leaves and seeds.
History
Both the leaves and seeds of milk thistle have a 2,000-year history of use for treating liver and gall bladder problems, low milk production and inflammation. Interest in this folk use lead researchers to investigate milk thistle's effects on the liver. Germany's Commission E, a government agency that evaluated herbal medicines, approved milk thistle seed extract for treating liver disease in 1986.
Active Compounds
The primary health supportive compound in milk thistle is silymarin, a group of flavonoids consisting of silibinin, silidianin and silicristin, as well as several other chemicals. Of these, silibinin is the most active. Milk thistle preparations require a silymarin content of 70 to 80 percent for liver protective and detoxification effects, according to experts from the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Benefits
Although research results have been inconsistent, milk thistle shows promise for treating liver conditions including viral and alcoholic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. It may also protect the liver from damage due to medications. Taking milk thistle supplements for six months significantly increased liver antioxidant defenses in those with alcoholic liver disease, a 1990 study from Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary discovered. Some evidence suggests the herb may also protect the kidneys and control blood sugar in type II diabetes.
Use
For liver protection, take a total of 280 to 450 mg daily, dividing doses throughout the day, medical professionals from the University of Maryland Medical Center recommend. Capsules of dried herb should contain at least 120 mg of silymarin. Liquid extracts are also available. The body may more easily absorb the combination silymarin-phosphatidylcholine. If you choose this, limit dosage to one 200-mg capsule twice daily.
Warnings
Milk thistle may cause an upset stomach and diarrhea. Avoid milk thistle if you're pregnant or you've ever had breast, prostate or another hormone-related cancer. This plant may interfere with anti-anxiety, allergy and high cholesterol medications, as well as antipsychotics, blood thinners and oral contraceptives. If you take any of these or you're breast-feeding, talk to your health care provider before taking milk thistle.
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