Has Anti-Aging Effects
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. ...
Improves Bone health
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.
Treats Asthma
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.
Boosts Immunity
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.
Anti-fungal Activity
What are the healing properties of milk thistle?
Is it worth taking milk thistle?
What happens if I take too much milk thistle?
What are the risks of taking milk thistle long term?
What is milk thistle used for?
Why do milk thistles have purple flowers?
Does milk thistle cause diarrhea?
Is milk thistle good for acne?
Is silymarin good for cancer?
Is milk thistle absorbed by the brain?
Can milk thistle be used for Alzheimer's?
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Can milk thistle harm your liver?
Milk thistle is often suggested as a treatment for alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis, but scientific studies show mixed results. Most studies show milk thistle improves liver function and increases survival in people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis.
How long should you take milk thistle for?
There is no standardized dosage or recommended intake for milk thistle tea, but it's generally considered safe if consumed in moderation. Milk thistle supplements, for reference, are tolerated at doses of up to 700 mg, 3 times per day for 24 weeks ( 1 ).
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.
Should I take milk thistle in the 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.
Who needs milk thistle?
Milk thistle is often promoted for its liver-protecting effects. It's regularly used as a complementary therapy by people who have liver damage due to conditions like alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis and even liver cancer ( 1 , 5 , 6 ).
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...
Does milk thistle hurt kidneys?
Milk thistle (Silymarin marianum) is a well-known herbal therapeutic commonly used for liver support. It supports detoxification through enhancing liver as well as kidney and pancreatic function.
Does milk thistle affect sleep?
Sleep quality also improves. The effect of taking milk thistle by itself is not known.
Milk Thistle: Benefits and Side Effects
SOURCES: Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database: "Milk Thistle Monograph." National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): "Milk Thistle," “Herbs at a Glance: Milk thistle.”
Milk thistle Uses, Side Effects & Warnings - Drugs.com
What is milk thistle? Milk thistle is a plant also known as Artichaut Sauvage, Cardo Lechoso, Cardui Mariae, Carduus marianus, Chardon Argenté, Chardon de Marie, Épine Blanche, Holy Thistle, Lady's Thistle, Lait de Notre-Dame, Legalon, Marian Thistle, Mariendistel, Mary Thistle, Shui Fei Ji, Silibinin, Silybe de Marie, Silybum, Silymarin, and other names.
Milk thistle - Mayo Clinic
Research on milk thistle use for specific conditions shows: Diabetes. Milk thistle might lower blood sugar in people who have type 2 diabetes, but more studies are needed to confirm its benefits.
Does Milk Thistle Help Your Liver? - WebMD
Milk thistle, also known as silymarin, has been used for hundreds of years as an herbal remedy for liver problems. What is it? And can it really help your liver?
Why is milk thistle used for liver problems?
You can see why liver problems and poor liver function can create so many problems! Milk thistle has been historically used for a variety of liver diseases, including: alcoholic liver disease. acute and chronic viral hepatitis. toxin-induced liver diseases.
How to grow milk thistle?
If you purchase or grow a milk thistle plant, cut off the entire head and hang the plant upside down for about one week to draw out the seeds. You can then crush the seeds and steep them, along with the leaves, to make tea, eat them raw or dry them into powder form.
What is the silymarin in milk thistle?
About 50 percent to 70 percent of the silymarin molecules present within milk thistle are the type called silybin , also known as silibinin. This antioxidant stimulates protein synthesis and changes the outside layer of healthy cells, keeping them protected from damage and mutation.
How long has milk thistle been around?
The milk thistle plant is a popular herb that has actually been used for over 2,000 years. In fact, Greek physician and botanist Dioscorides was the first to describe milk thistle’s healing properties back in the year 40 A.D.
What is the role of insulin in the body?
Insulin is responsible for managing blood sugar levels in the blood , which is especially important for those with diabetes. 5. May Help Prevent Gallstones. The liver is a major digestive organ, which helps process nutrients and toxins that enter our body through foods, water and air.
What is glutathione used for?
Glutathione’s biggest role is to help fight oxidative stress that leads to such diseases as cancer, diabetes, heart disease and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. It can help prevent damage to important cellular components caused by reactive oxygen species, such as free radicals.
Can you eat milk thistle seeds?
There are a variety of milk thistle products available, and the seeds and leaves of the milk thistle plant can be consumed either in pill, powder, tincture, extract or tea form. The seeds can actually be eaten completely raw, too, but usually people prefer to take a milk thistle extract or supplement in order to consume a higher dose ...
Where is Milk Thistle native to?
Milk thistle (silymarin) is a flowering herb related to the daisy and ragweed family. It is native to Mediterranean countries. Some people also call it Mary thistle and holy thistle.
Can milk thistle be taken with statins?
It’s unclear if milk thistle has the same effects in people without diabetes. Milk thistle can also be taken with cholesterol-lowering medications, like statins. It can help prevent elevation of liver enzymes, which can be a side effect of the medication. Find out more on the side effects of statins.
Does milk thistle lower cholesterol?
By lowering LDL "bad" cholesterol levels, milk thistle may lower the chance of developing heart disease. But studies on heart benefits have only been done in people with diabetes. People with diabetes often have high cholesterol. It’s unclear if milk thistle has the same effects in people without diabetes.
Does milk thistle help with liver disease?
There’s some evidence that milk thistle can treat cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis, which can be caused by alcohol abuse, autoimmune disease, or viruses. But experts say that the evidence isn’t conclusive.
Can milk thistle be used for any condition?
The best doses of milk thistle have not been established for any condition it may be used to treat. Quality and active ingredients in supplements may vary widely from maker to maker. This makes it very hard to establish a standard dose. Ask your doctor for advice.
Does milk thistle cause diarrhea?
Side effects. Milk thistle seems to have few side effects, even when taken for several years. Some people have nausea, diarrhea, itching, and bloating. Interactions. If you take any medicines regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using milk thistle.
Can milk thistle cause allergies?
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 is milk thistle used for?
Different parts of the milk thistle plant may be used to treat various health conditions. The most common use of milk thistle is for liver problems. Some claim it can help treat: cirrhosis. jaundice. hepatitis. gallbladder disorders.
Does milk thistle lower cholesterol?
It is mainly used to treat liver problems, but some people claim it can lower cholesterol and help manage type 2 diabetes. This article explores 10 potential milk thistle benefits and examines whether there is any scientific evidence to support its use.
Does milk thistle help with cancer?
Milk thistle may help to stop the spread of certain types of cancer. A 2016 review#N#Trusted Source#N#found that milk thistle extract inhibited the growth of cancerous cells in colorectal cancer.
Does milk thistle help with inflammation?
The active ingredient in milk thistle can help to reduce inflammation. A 2012 study#N#Trusted Source#N#found that silymarin helped to protect against inflammation in the airways of mice with allergic asthma.
Does milk thistle oil help with skin?
Milk thistle oil may be used topically to improve skin health. Milk thistle may help to promote healthy skin. A 2015 study. Trusted Source. found that milk thistle helped improve inflammatory skin conditions when applied to the skin of mice.
Is milk thistle good for liver?
Scientists think this creates a detoxifying effect, which is why it is milk thistle may be beneficial for liver problems. Until more research is carried out, however, milk thistle is not recommended as the primary treatment option for liver problems. But it may be a helpful complementary treatment to try. 2.
Is milk thistle a plant?
Share on Pinterest. Milk thistle is available in a range of forms, and is most popular as a supplement or in tea. Milk thistle is a flowering plant that comes from the same family of plants as the daisy. It grows in Mediterranean countries and is used to make natural remedies.
What is milk thistle used for?
Trusted Source. ). In fact, it has traditionally been used to treat liver and gallbladder disorders, promote breast milk production, prevent and treat cancer and even protect the liver from snake bites, alcohol and other environmental poisons. Here are 7 science-based benefits of milk thistle. 1.
Why do milk thistles have purple flowers?
This prickly plant has distinctive purple flowers and white veins, which traditional stories say were caused by a drop of the Virgin Mary’s milk falling onto its leaves. The active ingredients in milk thistle are a group of plant compounds collectively known as silymarin ( 1. Trusted Source.
Does milk thistle cause diarrhea?
Trusted Source. ). 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.
Is milk thistle good for acne?
Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, milk thistle may be a useful supplement for people with acne. Interestingly, one study found that people with acne who took 210 milligrams of silymarin per day for 8 weeks experienced a 53% decrease in acne lesions ( 42 ).
Is silymarin good for cancer?
It’s been suggested that the antioxidant effects of silymarin may have some anticancer effects, which could be helpful for people receiving cancer treatment ( 9. Trusted Source. ). Some animal studies have shown that milk thistle could be useful for reducing the side effects of cancer treatments ( 26. Trusted Source.
Is milk thistle absorbed by the brain?
Moreover, it’s unclear whether milk thistle is well enough absorbed in people to allow adequate amounts to pass through the blood-brain barrier. It’s also unknown what doses would need to be prescribed for it to have a beneficial effect ( 18. Trusted Source. ).
Can milk thistle be used for Alzheimer's?
They are seen in very high numbers in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease, meaning that milk thistle could potentially be used to help treat this difficult condition ( 21. Trusted Source. ).
