Milk Thistle Benefits and Uses
- Liver Cirrhosis. Milk Thistle can be used in the management of several liver disorders such as cirrhosis. ...
- Hepatitis. Milk Thistle is commonly used in the management of infective and inflammatory disorders of the liver such as hepatitis.
- Milk thistle for Cancer. The use of Milk Thistle can be beneficial in the management of cancer. ...
- Milk Thistle Protects Your Liver. ...
- It May Help Prevent Age-Related Decline in Brain Function. ...
- Milk Thistle Could Protect Your Bones. ...
- It May Improve Cancer Treatment. ...
- It Can Boost Breast Milk Production. ...
- It Could Help Treat Acne.
What are the healing properties of milk thistle?
What Is Milk Thistle Used For?
- Liver Disease. Some preliminary studies have suggested that silymarin may improve liver function by keeping toxic substances from binding to liver cells.
- Chronic Hepatitis C. Milk thistle is sometimes used by people with chronic hepatitis C (a viral infection characterized by the progressive scarring of the liver).
- Type 2 Diabetes. ...
Is it worth taking milk thistle?
Taken in appropriate doses, oral use of milk thistle appears to be safe. Milk thistle can cause: Gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting and abdominal bloating. Itchiness. Headache. If you have diabetes, use milk thistle with caution, since the supplement might lower blood sugar.
What happens if I take too much milk thistle?
What happens if i take too much milk thistle? In fact, in studies where high doses were used for long periods, only about 1% of people experienced side effects ( 1 ). When reported, side effects for milk thistle are generally gut disturbances like diarrhea, nausea or bloating. Some people are advised to be cautious when taking milk thistle.
What are the risks of taking milk thistle long term?
What Are the Risks of Taking Milk Thistle? Risks. Milk thistle can trigger allergic reactions. People who are allergic to artichokes, kiwi, ragweed, daisies, marigolds, and chrysanthemums are at higher risk. People who have diabetes or endometriosis should check with a doctor before using milk thistle.
What does milk thistle do for the body?
It's unclear what benefits, if any, it may have in the body, but it's sometimes used as a natural treatment for things including cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis, and gallbladder disorders. Some claim milk thistle may also: Provide heart benefits by lowering cholesterol levels.
What are the negative side effects of milk thistle?
Side effects of milk thistle include:Abdominal bloating/pain.Allergic reactions.Diarrhea.Gas.Indigestion.Itching.Loss of appetite.Nausea.More items...
Can milk thistle harm your liver?
Medical research on milk thistle and liver health has led to mixed results. Studies show that silymarin may help ease inflammation and promote cell repair. This may help ease symptoms from liver diseases like jaundice, cirrhosis, liver cancer, and fatty liver disease.
How much milk thistle should you take a day?
Dosage forms The available forms of Milk thistle are capsules, tablet, tincture and intravenous solution. Adult dosage in terms of hepatoprotection is 420 mg/day of extract (standardized to 70-80% silymarin) three times a day for 6-8 weeks. Maintenance dose is 280 mg/day.
Who should not take milk thistle?
Milk thistle should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women. People with a history of hormone-related cancers, including breast, uterine, and prostate cancer, should not take milk thistle. DO NOT take milk thistle if you are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, chamomile, yarrow, or daisies.
Is it OK to take milk thistle every day?
Milk thistle is generally considered safe for most people at dosages up to 420 mg 3 times a day. However, it may cause allergic reactions, such as itching, headaches, and joint pain, or gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea or diarrhea.
What is the best drink to flush your liver?
6 Detox Drinks to Cleanse Your LiverCoffee. Coffee is good for the liver, especially because it protects against issues such as fatty liver disease. ... Ginger and lemon drink. ... Oatmeal drink. ... Tumeric drink. ... Green tea. ... Grapefruit drink.
When should I take milk thistle morning or night?
Milk thistle is generally tolerated well by the body, meaning you can take it pretty much whenever you want. It won't keep you awake at night, it can be taken on an empty stomach or combined with meals as an added ingredient, and there isn't a particular time of day where it's more potent or effective.
Does milk thistle affect sleep?
Sleep quality also improves. The effect of taking milk thistle by itself is not known.
Does milk thistle cause weight gain?
One recent study evaluated the effects of using milk thistle extract on mice with obesity. Despite consuming similar quantities of food, the mice that received milk thistle lost about 5% of their weight, while the control group continued gaining weight throughout the study ( 4 ).
Does milk thistle make you poop?
Milk thistle can cause: Gastrointestinal issues, such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea, vomiting and abdominal bloating. Itchiness. Headache.
How long does it take for milk thistle to work?
Early research shows that taking milk thistle extract by mouth for up to one year, or taking a product containing the milk thistle constituent silybin plus phosphatidylcholine by mouth for 1 week, improves liver function tests.
What Is Milk Thistle Used for?
Possible Side Effects
- Milk thistle may trigger a number of side effects, including headache, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and gas. Less commonly, muscle aches, joint pain, and sexual dysfunction have been reported. Allergic reactions are also possible. People with allergies to ragweed, daisies, artichokes, kiwi, or plants in the aster family may also be allergic to milk thistle. On rare occasio…
Dosage and Preparation
- There are no guidelines directing the appropriate use of milk thistle. Milk thistle supplements are commonly sold as in capsule form but are also available as tablets, tea bags, and oral tinctures. Doses range from 175 milligrams to 1,000 milligrams. Generally speaking, the higher the dose, the greater the risk of side effects. Combination remedies such as Iberogast drops (used to treat dy…
What to Look For
- Dietary supplements in the United States do not need to undergo the rigorous testing and research and testing that pharmaceutical drugs do. Because of this, the quality can vary from one supplement to the next. To ensure quality and safety, choose products that have undergone testing and certification by an independent certifying body like the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), Co…