Milk Thistle

Other Names: Artichaut Sauvage, Blessed Milk Thistle, Cardo Lechoso, Cardui Mariae Fructus, Cardui Mariae Herba, Carduus Marianum, Carduus marianus, Chardon Argenté, Chardon de Marie, Chardon de Notre-Dame, Chardon Marbré, Chardon-Marie, Épine Blanche, Holy Thistle, Lady's Thistle, Lait de Notre-Dame, Legalon, Marian Thistle, Mariendistel, Mary Thistle, Our Lady's Thistle, Shui Fei Ji, Silibinin, Silybe de Marie, Silybin, Silybum, Sylibum, Silybum marianum, Silymarin, Silymarine, St. Mary Thistle, St. Marys Thistle



Milk thistle is a plant. The above ground parts and seeds are used to make medicine. The seeds are more commonly used.

Special Precautions of Milk Thistle

• Side effects may include indigestion, headache and itching. Rarely, milk thistle may result in heartburn, gas, diarrhea, joint pain and sexual dysfunction.
• People with allergies to daisies, artichokes, kiwi, common thistle or plants in the aster family may also be allergic to milk thistle. There have been several reports of anaphylactic shock in people who have used milk thistle products.
• The safety of milk thistle in pregnant or nursing women is unknown.
• Theoretically, milk thistle may lower blood sugar levels, so it should be used with caution by people with diabetes, hypoglycemia and those taking medications or supplements that affect blood sugar levels.
• There is a theoretical risk that milk thistle could have an estrogen-like effect, so people with hormone-sensitive conditions such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids or cancers of the breast, uterus and ovaries should avoid milk thistle, particularly the above ground parts of the plant.
• Milk thistle may reduce the effectiveness of oral contraceptives. One constituent of milk thistle can inhibit an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase, which is involved in the activity of oral contraceptives.

The benefits of Milk Thistle are

• Cirrhosis : Preliminary studies suggest milk thistle supplements may be beneficial for people with cirrhosis. It may improve liver function. More research is needed, however, because many of the studies conducted so far on milk thistle and cirrhosis have been poorly designed.
• Detox : Protection From Liver Damage (Liver Diseases : Milk thistle may protect the liver against toxicity from acetaminophen (Tylenol), alcohol and other drugs. In Europe, milk thistle is reportedly administered to patients when they are given medications known to cause liver problems.
• Milk thistle has also been explored for cancer prevention and high cholesterol.
• Other research has indicated that key constituents in Milk Thistle also promote healthy prostate function and a strong gastrointestinal tract by resolving free radical damage.
• Lower cholesterol levels, which improves cardiovascular health
• Decrease the proliferation of cancer cells in breast, lung, colon,prostate, cervical and renal cancers : the silymarin compound in milk thistle may help prevent and treat cancer.
• Lessen cell damage caused by chemotherapy and radiation treatments
• Prevent Alzheimer's disease
• Stabilize blood sugar levels
• Defend against premature aging
• Protect against sun damage and other problematic skin conditions
• Fight free radical damage with its antioxidant properties
• Treat menopausal symptoms
• Remedy intestinal and indigestion issues
• Constipation : Milk thistle produces a laxative effect by encouraging the production of bile, which is responsible for breaking down fats and cholesterol in the intestines—and stimulating bowel movements.
• Treat the symptoms of death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides)poisoning
• milk thistle also decreases the risk of developing gallstones by increasing bile production.