Milk thistle is distinctive in its healing effects on the liver and, in fact, milk thistle extract is the only antidote for Amanita mushroom poisoning, which causes severe liver damage. It has been used medicinally for thousands of years and continues to be used today for treating a variety of ailments. However, more scientific information is needed to determine the efficacy of milk thistle for these uses. Use milk thistle with supervision from a health-care professional.
Identification and Dosing
Milk thistle is also called bull thistle, lady's milk, St. Mary's thistle, lady's thistle, silymarin and silybum. Milk thistle is named for the milky sap that exudes from the leaves when they are broken and for the legendary white marks on the leaves thought to be the Virgin Mary's milk. The chemical in milk thistle called silymarin is thought to be primarily responsible for the medicinal effects of milk thistle. The seeds are used to make milk thistle extract.
Uses
Milk thistle is commonly used for liver problems such as cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, jaundice, chemically induced injury from alcohol or drugs and chronic inflammatory liver disease. It is also used for appetite loss, upset stomach, depression, gall bladder ailments, spleen disorders, diabetes, malaria and prostate cancer. Other uses include treating elevated cholesterol, breast cancer and cervical cancer. Women use milk thistle for starting menstruation, uterine problems and enhancing flow of breast milk.
Effectiveness
The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, or NMCD, reports that milk thistle is possibly effective for treating upset stomach when used in combination with other herbs, such as peppermint, chamomile, caraway, licorice, clown's mustard plant, celandine, angelica and lemon balm. Milk thistle is also possibly effective for lowering blood glucose in type 2 diabetics. More scientific information is needed to rate the effectiveness of milk thistle for other uses.
Considerations
According to the NMCD, milk thistle is generally safe when taken in usual dosages. However, milk thistle can cause side effects such as increased stools, nausea, diarrhea, gas, upset stomach and appetite loss, says the NMCD. Milk thistle may also cause allergic reactions, especially in the presence of existing allergy to ragweed and related plants. Milk thistle should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
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