According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, results regarding the efficacy of milk thistle as a treatment for liver problems are mixed. While some studies have shown remarkable improvements in patients with liver disease, other studies are inconsistent. More strict clinical trials are needed to prove milk thistle's effectiveness.
Description
Silybum marianum, best known by its common name milk thistle, is an herb found throughout the world. According to the UMMC, milk thistle has been used for more than 2,000 years to treat problems of the liver and gall bladder. The active ingredient in milk thistle is silymarin, a series of compound flavonoids. Silymarin is made into standardized supplement preparations that contain at least 80 percent of the compound.
Function
According to the UMMC, milk thistle may improve liver function and can be used to treat a number of liver problems. Although study results have been mixed, silymarin has been shown to be effective against poisoning from deathcap mushrooms. When an emergency antidote is taken within 10 minutes of consuming the mushrooms, milk thistle was shown in animal studies to completely reverse its effects. When taken within 24 hours, it significantly reduced the risk of liver damage. According to MayoClinic.com, milk thistle may also be effective in treating chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatitis.
Other Uses
According to MayoClinic.com, milk thistle has been tried as a remedy for other gastrointestinal problems as well. This includes the treatment of liver cancer, blood sugar control in cirrhotic patients, high cholesterol and dyspepsia (indigestion). According to an article written by veterinarian Katharine Hillestad and published in PetEducation.com, milk thistle also can be used to treat liver conditions in cats and dogs.
Research
A number of studies have been done on the effect of milk thistle in the treatment of liver problems. According to a 2000 study compilation published by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the potential for significant improvement was found when using milk thistle to treat chronic alcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis, hepatotoxic drugs and nonalcoholic cirrhosis. Daily use of silymarin also may normalize serum liver enzymes in people suffering from chronic liver disease, according to a 1998 article in the "Alternative Medicine Review."
Precautions and Interactions
Although milk thistle is regarded as a safe herb, the UMMC says it can cause digestive upset. Milk thistle can also interact with a number of medications, including anti-anxiety, allergy and high-cholesterol drugs. People taking antipsychotics or seizure medication should talk to their doctors before using milk thistle. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use milk thistle without medical supervision.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum)
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Milk Thistle
- "Alternative Medicine Review"; A Review of Plants Used in the Treatment of Liver Disease; Scott Luper, N.D.; 2000
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); Milk Thistle: Effects on Liver Disease and Cirrhosis and Clinical Adverse Effects; Valerie Lawrence, MD, MSc, Principal Investigator; 2000
- PetEducation.com: The Use of Milk Thistle in Dogs and Cats
