Milk thistle is a medicinal herb commonly used to treat a number of health conditions. The plant grows wild in Europe and North America and its seeds, fruits and leaves are used to make medicinal treatments, says Medicinal Herb Info. Before beginning to take milk thistle, ask your health care provider for advice.
Milk Thistle Uses
The website for the University of Maryland Medical Center or UMMC says that milk thistle contains a compound called silymarin that helps protect the liver from damage. The herb is commonly used to treat liver and gallbladder problems as well as liver disease from alcohol, food poisoning, hepatitis and cancer, says the site. Milk thistle is also used as a treatment for indigestion and cirrhosis of the liver, according to the website for the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC). The National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) website adds that milk thistle is also used to lower cholesterol levels.
How It Works
The salymarin in milk thistle helps to repair damage to liver cells from alcohol and other toxic substances, says the NCCAM site, and also protects new cells from being damaged by the same toxins. The MSKCC site explains that salymarin stabilizes the outer membranes of liver cells, blocking toxins from entering cells. The site recommends supplements with standardized levels of 70-80% salymarin.
Research
An article on the PubMed.gov website examines how salymarin and other chemical components of the milk thistle plant may qualify milk thistle as a liver treatment. The NCCAM site describes research showing milk thistle's promise in treating hepatitis. The NCCAM is currently funding research to study the effects of milk thistle in treating chemotherapy-related liver damage, hepatitis C and other liver and kidney disorders.
Possible Side Effects
The NCCAM site warns people with diabetes or hypoglycemia to avoid taking milk thistle, also advising that some people could have allergic reactions to this supplement. If allergy symptoms occur, stop using the milk thistle. According to the MSKCC site, some people may experience an upset stomach or mild laxative effects when taking the herb. Otherwise, milk thistle is generally considered to be a safe supplement.
Potential Interactions
The UMMC site cautions people who take certain cancer drugs, blood thinners, antipsychotic medications, seizure medications, allergy drugs, or drugs to reduce high cholesterol or relieve anxiety avoid taking milk thistle due to possibly harmful interactions. If you have questions about the possible interactions of your medications or supplements with milk thistle, talk to your pharmacist or health care provider.
