Milk Thistle: Benefits, Uses, Risks, and Dosage

Herbal remedies are usually the talk of the town. Others may find them inefficient, while some people swear by them. Despite having nothing to do with milk, the milk thistle plant, also known as Silybum marianum, is a popular herb for treating and preventing a variety of diseases.

This is a European plant that was introduced by the early colonists. It is now found in the eastern United States, California, South America, Africa, Australia, and Asia, among other places. Medicine is made from the above-ground portions and seeds. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits, risks, dosage, and its extract side effects.

What Is Milk Thistle?

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a Mediterranean plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family.

The milky white veins on the leaves, as well as the white sap they release when damaged, give the plant its name. Purple blossoms adorn the plant. Saint Mary’s Thistle, holy thistle, variegated thistle, and Scotch thistle are some of the other names for thistle extract. The white veins on its leaves are thought to have come from a drop of the Virgin Mary’s breast milk spilt on them, according to folklore.

Some people believe the plant might boost breast milk production because of its milky sap and supposed connection to Mary’s milk. The supplements of this herb have long been used to treat liver and gallbladder problems. Its power to defend against neurological disorders, malignancies, diabetes, and heart disease has also been investigated in the research. It is available in a variety of forms, including capsules, tablets, liquid extracts, and tea. The seeds and, in certain cases, the leaves of the plant are utilized in these remedies.

Beneficial Compounds Of Milk Thistle

Silymarin is the main category of active chemicals found in this herb. This group’s major component is known as silybin.

Silymarin is found in the thistle’s blooms and leaves, but it’s concentrated in the seeds. The alleged benefits to human health are believed to be related to the antioxidant capabilities of silymarin. Silymarin uses may have antioxidant properties by scavenging and inhibiting the creation of reactive molecules known as free radicals, which can cause cell damage and disease. It may also help your body’s inflammatory responses.

Milk Thistle Benefits That You Should Know

Existing research related to the plant has been limited, poorly designed, or yielded mixed findings. Furthermore, the studies have mainly focused on extracts and tablets, and not on the other forms available.

Keep this in mind as you go through the list of milk thistle benefits mentioned below.

Maintains Liver Health

The ability of milk thistle liver to support its health has been the subject of much research. According to some research, the plant may aid in the management and treatment of viral hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, non-alcohol-related fatty liver disease, liver cancer, and drug- or toxin-induced liver damage. It has not, however, been demonstrated to protect against the occurrence of certain liver diseases. While it’s unknown how it affects your liver, silymarin, a compound derived from the plant, is thought to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral properties. According to one study, silymarin may help persons with cirrhosis from alcohol-related liver disease live longer, probably by shielding the liver from free radicals created during alcohol metabolism. Although studies have proved equivocal, its extracts and isolated forms of silymarin may alleviate signs of inflammation and liver damage in patients with certain liver conditions. Finally, further research is required to better understand the efficacy and safety of its products, such as teas, in the treatment of liver problems.

Promotes Milk Supply During Breastfeeding

Milk thistle is claimed to promote milk supply by increasing levels of the hormone prolactin in breastfeeding women. However, there are essentially no medical studies that support this claim, and none specifically on milk thistle tea. In one randomized controlled research, 50 breastfeeding women who took 420 mg of silymarin, the plant’s main component, every day for 63 days produced more than 60% more milk than others who consumed a placebo. More research is required to determine the safety and effectiveness of taking these supplements during the lactation stage. Before trying to use the plant while breastfeeding, consult a healthcare practitioner.

Helps In The Treatment Of Diabetes

Milk thistle is also being researched for its anti-diabetic properties. Silymarin supplements significantly lowered fasting blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes, according to a systematic study. The reviewers did caution, however, that the current studies were of poor quality and that more study was required. It may aid blood sugar control by enhancing insulin sensitivity and reducing diabetes-related inflammation. Despite the positive results of previous research, larger, well-designed trials are needed to further evaluate the effectiveness of these extracts in diabetes treatment.

May Protect Your Bones

Osteoporosis is a health issue that causes bone loss over time. It normally takes years to develop and results in weak bones that fracture readily, even after mild falls. Milk thistle has been proven to increase bone mineralization and perhaps protect against bone loss in experimental test tubes and animal experiments. As a result, experts believe it could be a viable medication for postmenopausal women who want to prevent or delay bone loss. However, no human research has been conducted, therefore its usefulness is unknown.

May Improve Cancer Treatment

It’s been proposed that silymarin’s antioxidant properties may have anti-cancer properties, which could be beneficial to cancer patients

Milk thistle has been found in animal trials to help reduce the negative effects of cancer treatments It may also improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy against certain tumors and, in certain cases, even kill cancer cells. Human studies, on the other hand, are scarce and have yet to demonstrate a clinically significant effect in humans. This could be due to people’s inability to absorb enough to have a medical impact. More research is needed until it can be established whether silymarin can help those who are receiving cancer treatment.

Can Help Treat Acne

Acne is an inflammatory skin disorder that lasts for a long time. While it is not harmful, it can leave scars. It may also be painful, and people may be concerned about the consequences on their looks.

It has been proposed that oxidative stress in the body has a role in acne formation. It may be a beneficial supplement for acne sufferers due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. One study found that taking 210 milligrams of silymarin each day for 8 weeks reduced acne lesions by 53%. However, because this is the first and only study of its kind, more high-quality research is required.

Risks & Considerations Of Milk Thistle Use

When eaten by mouth, it is usually believed to be safe. Only approximately 1% of persons reported negative effects in studies when large doses were administered for lengthy periods of time.

When its side effects are observed, they are typically stomach disturbances such as diarrhea, nausea, it, some people are recommended to be cautious. These are some of them:

• Pregnant women: Because there is no research on the supplement’s safety in expectant mothers, they are generally recommended to avoid use.
• Those who are allergic to the plant should avoid it: People with allergies to the Asteraceae/Compositae family of plants may experience an allergic response to milk thistle.
• Diabetic patients: Milk thistle’s blood sugar-lowering properties may put diabetics at danger of low blood sugar.

Milk Thistle Side Effects & Dosage

Milk thistle supplements do not have a standardized dosage or suggested intake, however, it is deemed safe when taken in moderation. For comparison, they are generally acceptable at doses of up to 700 mg three times a day for 24 weeks. Stomach trouble, nausea, and diarrhea are all possible side effects of this herb. Because there isn’t enough information on it’s use in pregnant or breastfeeding women, you should see a doctor before using it. It has been shown to help reduce blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, you should avoid drinking tea or taking supplements derived from the plant.

Conclusion

Milk thistle is a well-tolerated supplement that has shown promise as a supplementary therapy for a variety of ailments, particularly liver disease, cancer, and diabetes. However, many of the studies are tiny and have methodological shortcomings, making it impossible to provide solid recommendations or validate the supplement’s effects.

To define the dosages and clinical effects of this intriguing herb, a more high-quality study is required.