Milk Thistle Studies

Milk thistle is a popular dietary supplement primarily used for liver disorders such as hepatitis, jaundice and cirrhosis. It may also be effective as an antidote to mushroom poisoning, and in other conditions such as cancer, upset stomach, gallbladder problems, spleen disorders and uterine and menstrual irregularities. Laboratory studies suggest that the active ingredients in milk thistle benefit the liver by promoting cell growth, strengthening cell membranes against toxic chemicals and inhibiting inflammation. Additional research is needed to confirm these findings, so consult your physician regarding its usefulness for your condition.

Background

Despite a current lack of overwhelming scientific evidence pointing to its therapeutic properties, milk thistle has been used as a treatment for liver and gallbladder diseases since the Greco-Roman era. Milk thistle was first used in the United States in the 19th century to treat varicose veins, menstrual problems and liver and kidney ailments.

Side Effects

Milk thistle is considered to be a relatively safe supplement to use with few known side effects. Occasionally you may experience mild nausea, diarrhea, intestinal gas, bloating and indigestion after taking it. Serious toxicity is rare, although if you are allergic to plants in the daisy family, such as ragweed, marigolds and daisies, do not use milk thistle. Avoid its use if you have endometriosis; uterine fibroids; or cancer of the breast, uterus or ovaries.

Evidence exists that silymarin, one of the active components in milk thistle, may interfere with the liver's metabolism of some drugs, such as acetominephen, Elavil, Lipitor, digoxin, Valium, Celebrex, Advil, Motrin, Dilantin, tamoxifen, Tolinase, Coumadin and others. Silymarin may also aid in estrogen breakdown, potentially lessening the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. Because of the potential for interaction with so many medications, seek guidance from your physician as to the safety of its use for you. There are no known adverse interactions when milk thistle is taken with food.

Recommendations

Clinical evidence for milk thistle treatment for cancer, liver or kidney disease can only be considered preliminary. Unfortunately most of the studies done to date have been either in the lab or performed on animals. Human clinical research has shown conflicting results for the herb's efficacy due to the poor quality of both study design and reporting. Atif Zaman, M.D., M.P.H., an associate professor at Oregon Health and Sciences University, says, "The current scientific body of literature shows that milk thistle has no clinically positive impact on liver disease, but it does not appear to harm the liver."

Summary

Despite the studies done to date, the mode of action for milk thistle still remains unknown. Research indicates that milk thistle may have therapeutic usefulness, especially for liver ailments. Despite this, be sure to consult a health care practitioner familiar with your medical history before using milk thistle.