Milk thistle has been in use for more than 2,000 years, according to the Natural Standard website, and is frequently used for liver and gallbladder problems. Silymarin, the herb's active constituent, purportedly protects the liver from harmful toxins. Like other dietary supplements of its nature, natural remedies that contain milk thistle are not guaranteed to be effective or safe to use.
About Milk Thistle
Milk thistle also goes by the names Mary thistle and holy thistle, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. It may also be referred to by its active constituent, silymarin, which purportedly gives this herb its medicinal properties. A native of Europe, milk thistle also grows in the U.S., where it's classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a dietary supplement, says the University of Michigan Health System. Preparations may include capsules and liquid tinctures.
Who Shouldn't Use Milk Thistle
Don't give milk thistle to children, cautions the University of Maryland Medical Center, as there's no research that shows it is safe for this population. Because milk thistle is used to address serious health concerns, such as liver problems, it's important to speak with your child's pediatrician. Avoid taking milk thistle if you're pregnant, breastfeeding or if you've had a hormone-related cancer, such as breast or prostate cancer, cautions the UMMC.
Side Effects
The UMMC says that milk thistle is considered a safe herb to use. However, you may experience mild side effects, such as an upset stomach and diarrhea. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center also says that milk thistle may stimulate menstruation. With any natural remedy, it's possible to have an allergic reaction to milk thistle supplements; the UMMC indicates that some people break out in a rash if they touch the plant.
Drug Interactions
Milk thistle may interact with certain medications, cautions the UMMC. Do not use milk thistle without first talking to your doctor if you take antipsychotic medications such as butyrophenones and phenothiazines, phenytoin for seizures or halothane, which is used during anesthesia. Milk thistle and other medications may be metabolized by the same liver enzymes. These medications include allergy drugs, medications to treat high cholesterol, drugs used to treat anxiety, anticoagulant medications and some medications used to treat cancer.
Other Concerns
Liver disease can be fatal. NCCAM is funding further study to see if milk thistle can be of benefit to treat certain liver disorders, but clinical research as of June 2010 has consisted of small trials that yield mixed results. The Natural Standard points out that most of these studies were poorly designed. As a dietary supplement, milk thistle products cannot make the claim that they treat or cure any medical condition. Please contact your doctor before using milk thistle for your health concerns.
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