Milk thistle, from the thistles of the flowering daisy family, are annual or biennial plants that are native the Mediterranean, the Middle East and northern Africa. Its seeds contain the flavonoid silymarin (silibinin, silidianin, and silicristin) and have been prized by herbalists as a liver tonic for thousands of years. Milk thistle may be given as capsules containing the herb or as a tincture, liquid extract or silymarin phosphatidylcholine complex.
Liver Disorders
Milk thistle primarily is thought to help protect the liver against toxins and improve liver function while lowering enzyme levels. It's commonly used to treat cirrhosis of the liver, liver damage that's induced by toxins and chronic hepatitis, although some studies contradict its effectiveness. It also may be used to protect the liver against toxicity from high doses of acetaminophen, alcohol and drug use.
Gallbladder Disorders
Milk thistle is believed to be a demulcent and is thought to stimulate the flow of bile, so it has been used to treat symptoms---such as inflammation and stagnation---associated with gallbladder disorders, but only when no gallstones are present.
Bowel Issues
Because it's thought to increase bile production, milk thistle may be prescribed as a mild laxative to lubricate and soften stools as well as to bring balance to those suffering between alternate bouts of constipation and diarrhea.
Mushroom Poisoning
Milk thistle has been used as an antidote to death cap mushroom poisoning to counteract its toxicity. When given within 10 minutes of ingesting amanita phalloides, milk thistle counteracts the poison; within 24 hours, it greatly lowers the risk of death and damage that would otherwise occur in the liver.
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