2007 Sep;10(9):1089-93. doi: 10.1038/nn1971. Milk thistle's main active component is silymarin which works by normalizing levels of both serotonin and dopamine. Milk Thistle: Benefits and Side Effects - WebMD Substances in milk thistle may reduce blood sugar, a concern for people living with diabetes. Ask a doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if it is safe for you to use this product if you have: an allergy to plants such as ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies. Milk thistle is an herbal remedy derived from the milk thistle plant, also known as Silybum marianum. Milk thistle. One study questioned the benefits of milk thistle for liver diseases. The benefits of milk thistle can be attributed to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Digestion and Depression . However, this review also noted that the quality of the studies was not very high, so more studies are needed before its possible to make any firm recommendations (44). Milk thistle may be useful in treating liver disease, cancer, and diabetes. Herbal product use by persons enrolled in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment Against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) Trial. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/milk-thistle. But the evidence is limited, and some research methodologies are flawed, so its difficult to confirm these effects. Benefits. Taken in appropriate doses, oral use of milk thistle appears to be safe. However, as this is the only study, more high-quality research is needed. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease. Telecommunications relay service (TRS): 7-1-1, Email: info@nccih.nih.gov (link sends email). This flowering plant can help control blood sugar levels and enhance bone health. Anticancer Drugs. Hepatology. lyndsey | nutrition + fertility + herbalism + birth on Instagram Take charge of your healthtalk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Epub 2013 Oct 14. Also known as Silybum marianum, milk thistle is a perennial herb native to many continents and countries across the globe, including Southern Europe, Southern Russia, Asia Minor, Northern Africa, and the Americas. By Brittany Lubeck, RD Milk thistle might also help prevent insulin resistance and slow the growth of cancer,. 8600 Rockville Pike Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions. Silymarin is an active component of milk thistle, which is not found in foods. Silibinin is one of the main flavonoids produced by milk thistle, which is reported to inhibit the inflammatory response by suppressing the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-B) pathway. Summary In animals, milk thistle has been shown to stimulate bone mineralization. Milk thistle is generally considered safe when taken by mouth (1, 45). Anxiety; Autophagy; BDNF; Depression; Silibinin. (silymarin) extract supplementation on antioxidant status and hs-CRP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, By Soraiya Ebrahimpour Koujan, Bahram Pourghassem, Gargari Majid, Published February 15, 2015, Retrieved May 5, 2019, 8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28025940, Current Drug Targets, A Mini Review on the Chemistry and Neuroprotective Effects of Silymarin, By Devi KP, Malar , Braidy , Nabavi , Nabavi, Published 2017, Retrieved May 5, 2019, 9. https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+1964, Toxnet, Valerian Root, Reviewed by SRP on 9/9/2014, Retrieved May 5, 2019, 10. https://nccih.nih.gov/research/results/spotlight/040310.htm, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Study Shows Chamomile Capsules Ease Anxiety Symptoms, Last Updated October 21, 2015, Retrieved May 5, 2019, 11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612440/, Evidence Based Complementary Medicine, Lavender and The Nervous System, Published March 14, 2013, By Peir Hossein Koulivand, Maryam Khaleghi Ghadiri, and Ali Gorji, Retrieved May 5, 2019, 12. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-437/lemon-balm, WebMD.com, Lemon Balm, Retrieved May 5, 2019, Requirements for using and reposting articles. Milk thistle is now found throughout the eastern United States, California, South America, Africa, Australia, and Asia. Milk thistle is currently used for the treatment of toxin-induced liver injury, for its inhibition of progressive hepatic fibrosis and the prevention of cirrhosis, for its antifibrogenic effects in alcohol-induced cirrhosis and for modulation of insulin resistance. Matutino Santos P, Pereira Campos G, Nascimento C. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. Epub 2023 Mar 4. The terms milk thistle and silymarin are often used interchangeably. It is not known whether milk thistle passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. 2020;31(4):/j/jbcpp.2020.31.issue-4/jbcpp-2019-0206/jbcpp-2019-0206.xml. This is especially important if you are taking any other medications for menopause or any blood thinners, such as statins. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. If you have diabetes, use milk thistle with caution, since the supplement might lower blood sugar. Summary Milk thistle may increase breast milk production in women who are lactating, though very little research has been done to confirm its effects. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. If we combine this information with your protected Consult with your healthcare provider if you experience these and other side effects to find out the best way to proceed. But studies on heart benefits have only been done in people with diabetes. Some, but not all, milk thistle supplements are vegan. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties mean that it is possibly neuroprotective and could help prevent the decline in brain function you experience as you age (14, 15). Silymarin, a milk thistle element, is reported safe at doses of 700 milligrams three times a day for 24 weeks. 2020;37(4):1279-1301. doi:10.1007/s12325-020-01251-y, Seeff LB, Curto TM, Szabo G, et al. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not use more of this product than is recommended on the label. From aloe to honey, you might be surprised what basic ingredients can help improve breakouts. 2015;22(2):290-296. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2014.12.010, Voroneanu L, Nistor I, Dumea R, Apetrii M, Covic A. Silymarin in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytomedicine. 2017 Apr;42(4):1073-1083. doi: 10.1007/s11064-016-2141-4. It may also make chemotherapy work more effectively against certain cancers and, in some circumstances, even destroy cancer cells (9, 29, 30, 31). Review/update the I think milk thistle is often used in combo with NAC to enhance it's beneficial effects. FOIA Other studies looking at milk thistle for cirrhosis have found conflicting results. The benefits of milk thistle remain unclear for this purpose and the limited research on milk thistle and breast milk has been done primarily in animals. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. However, this is the only clinical study available. Depression, Milk Thistle, Mood, Silibum Marianum (milk thistle), Silymarin. 5th ed. Nanjan MJ, Betz J. Resveratrol for the management of diabetes and its downstream pathologies. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003620.pub3, Gillessen A, Schmidt HH. In trying to determine the proper milk thistle OCD dosage, herbalists and experts tend to recommend 200-400mg divided across two or three doses per day (5). A survey conducted in the U.S. reported that 23% of those polled used herbal supplements for their hepatitis C, with milk thistle being the most common choice. Brittany Lubeck, RD, is a nutrition writer and registered dietitian with a master's degree in clinical nutrition. Milk Thistle Benefits, Side Effects and Dosage Recommendation - Dr. Axe Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Here are 10 of the best herbs for your liver, including benefits and. However, there is a lack of . After using 2 tablets a day and 1 month, indigestion and pain in my liver disappeared. Silymarin, an active component of milk thistle, may improve liver function and reduce symptoms of cirrhosis, or scarring of the liver. Subjects were assessed with the National Institute of Mental Health Trichotillomania Severity Scale (primary outcome), the Massachusetts General Hospital Hair Pulling Scale, Clinical Global Impression scale, and measures of depression, anxiety, and psychosocial . However, the studies in humans are very limited and have yet to show a meaningful clinical effect in people (32, 33, 34, 35, 36). One reported effect of milk thistle is that it can boost breast milk production in lactating mothers. What Are the Risks of Taking Milk Thistle? Neurological Disorders Milk thistle has long been used to alleviate the inflammation commonly associated with a host of neurological disorders such as dementia, Alzheimers, and Parkinsons Disease (8). Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. I'm looking forward to my blood results. A 2010 review by researchers found that black . 2018;8:65-74. doi:10.2147/PTT.S169333. Milk thistle often is used as a galactalogue, a food or supplement that people who are chest feeding take to improve milk production. 2022 Dec 7;19(24):16426. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192416426. More research is needed before a standard dosage of milk thistle can be recommended, so check with your healthcare provider. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. People with diabetes often have high cholesterol. It is possibly effective in diabetes and indigestion (). However, research is not conclusive on its uses. Summary One study has shown that people taking milk thistle supplements experienced a decrease in the number of acne lesions on their body. 2012;308(3):274-282. doi:10.1001/jama.2012.8265, Ebrahimpour koujan S, Gargari BP, Mobasseri M, Valizadeh H, Asghari-jafarabadi M. Effects of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. In test-tube and animal studies, silymarin has been shown to prevent oxidative damage to brain cells, which could help prevent mental decline (16, 17). The .gov means its official. But experts say that the evidence isnt conclusive. Effects of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. Additionally, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of milk thistle may also be useful for reducing the risk of developing diabetic complications like kidney disease (43). Bookshelf National Cancer Institute PDQ Integrative, Alternative, and Complementary Therapies Editorial Board. 2016;2016:5147468. doi:10.1155/2016/5147468, Dietz BM, Hajirahimkhan A, Dunlap TL, Bolton JL. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCIH. The Physician Global Assessment and Body Surface Area composite tool is a simple alternative to the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index for assessment of psoriasis: post hoc analysis from PRISTINE and PRESTA. Loguercio C, Festi D. Silybin and the liver: from basic research to clinical practice. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. It can be consumed in supplement form or as a tea. Over the Counter & Complementary Therapies | Parkinson's Foundation Certain people should take precautions when using milk thistle, and others may need to avoid it altogether. Antidepressive Effect of Natural Products and Their Derivatives Targeting BDNF-TrkB in Gut-Brain Axis. 2023 Jan 14;19:133-151. doi: 10.2147/NDT.S376380. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. Get the facts on milk thistle for the liver. Its main functions include antioxidant . Small Business Research Grant Program (SBIR), About Research Training and Career Development, Training Grant Application, Review, and Award Process, Integrative Medicine Research Lecture Series, Division of Extramural Research Sponsored by NCCIH, Division of Intramural Research Conducted at NCCIH, Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact, Know the Science: How To Make Sense of a Scientific Journal Article, How To Find Information About Complementary Health Approaches on PubMed, Dietary Supplements: What You Need To Know. Milk Thistle. Abstract Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease regulated by coordination of T-helper2 (Th2) type cytokines and inflammatory signal molecules. Not available for orders containing UltraNourish. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Exercise caution and start slow. Read our. 2018;9:1903. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.01903, Soleimani V, Delghandi PS, Moallem SA, Karimi G. Safety and toxicity of silymarin, the major constituent of milk thistle extract: An updated review. Did you know that milk thistle has recently been touted as a natural remedy to help manage the debilitating symptoms of OCD? Also notable is the fact that, of the 40 subjects that completed this trial, none had any adverse events or side effects with milk thistle supplementation (7). When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies.