Aloe and milk thistle are two very commonly used medicinal herbs. The two plants come from very different locations and belong to different plant families, yet they both may be a benefit in treating liver conditions. Milk thistle is often thought of as a weed that grows in Western Europe and all over the United States, says Medicinal Herb info. Aloe is from East and South Africa as well as from the West Indies. Both are also cultivated for medicinal use. Before using either of these herbs medicinally, seek the advice of your health care provider.
Milk Thistle & the Liver
The University of Maryland Medical Center or UMMC website says that milk thistle has long been used mainly as a treatment for liver and gall bladder ailments. The site lists certain compounds contained in milk thistle such as a flavonoid called silmarin help to protect the liver from toxins. This compound is considered a strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and helps the liver grow new cells to repair itself. The site lists liver disease from alcohol, liver damage from medications such as Tylenol, viral hepatitis, food poisoning and cancer as conditions that are particularly benefitted by milk thistle use. The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center or MSKCC website adds cancer prevention and indigestion to the list of uses for milk thistle. The website for the National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine or NCCAM reports that milk thistle is useful in lowering cholesterol levels as well.
Aloe & the Liver
The MSKCC website reports that aloe is also a powerful antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. The site says that aloe contains a compound, emodin, which has shown promise in stopping the growth of liver cancer cells. More research needs to be done to confirm this effect, but it does appear to be promising as a future liver cancer treatment. The site adds that aloe is commonly used to treat minor skin burns, herpes or cold sores and other skin conditions, constipation, diabetes, colitis, dry skin and inflammation. The NCCAM says that it is also used to treat sunburns, osteoarthritis, psoriasis, asthma and epilepsy.
Milk Thistle Research
Research described on the PubMed.gov website says that so far, milk thistle is the most researched herbal treatment for liver disease. The site reports that the herb seems successful in treating liver damage from medications such as Tylenol, alcoholic liver disease, toxin-induced liver diseases and chronic viral hepatitis.
The NCCAM website gives examples of research trials that have tested the use of milk thistle for treating liver damage, hepatitis and liver disease. The studies seem to suggest that milk thistle is effective in treating these conditions. The NCCAM is currently funding research to see if milk thistle is an effective treatment for leukemia patients with chemotherapy-related liver damage.
Aloe Research
The NCCAM website describes several research studies of aloe's effectiveness in treating burns and abrasions with promising results. However there is little clinical study to support its use for other conditions.
Possible Side Effects
Aloe is considered to be quite safe when used as a topical treatment on the skin, says the UMMC website. Some people may experience an allergic reaction to it, though. The site warns that taking aloe orally may cause diarrhea and severe intestinal cramps. The NCCAM site warns that people taking medications for diabetes should avoid taking aloe orally. This site says that ingested aloe can decrease the absorption of many drugs due to the laxative effects.
The UMMC website says that taking milk thistle is generally considered safe. Side effects are unusual but may include an upset stomach or diarrhea. The NCCAM website discourages diabetics from using milk thistle because it may reduce blood sugar levels. This site warns that some people have allergic reactions to milk thistle as well.
The NCCAM website cautions pregnant or breast-feeding women to avoid taking either aloe or milk thistle due to a lack of information about how they may affect the unborn or nursing baby.
Potential Interactions
The NCCAM website warns of possibly harmful interactions between combinations of medicinal herbs. When comparing the potential side effects of both aloe and milk thistle, combining them to treat the liver would more than likely intensify the potential for intense abdominal cramps, diarrhea and gastrointestinal distress, or in other words, cause interactions. You should consult your pharmacist of health care provider before combining them.
The UMMC website cautions people that take medications for diabetes, heart conditions or diuretics not to take aloe orally. The site also advises people who take antipsychotic drugs, allergy medications, some cancer medications, seizure medications, cholesterol-lowering drugs, anti-anxiety medications or blood thinners not to take milk thistle due to possible interactions.
Forms Used
The freshest and easiest way to get aloe to use topically is to break off a leaf of a live plant and use the clear gel inside, according to the UMMC website. The site also says that aloe is available in juice, tablet, capsule, gel, ointment, lotion and cream forms. The UMMC site also says that milk thistle is available in standardized dried herb capsules, tincture, liquid extract and as Silymarin supplements.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Listings for Milk Thistle & Aloe
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Listings for Milk Thistle & Aloe
- National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine: Listings for Milk thistle & Aloe
- Medicinal Herb Info: Listings for Milk Thisle & Aloe
- PubMed.gov: Milk thistle in liver diseases: past, present, future.
