Milk Thistle









Milk Thistle


Natural product category
Herb
What is this natural product used for?
Milk thistle has antioxidant properties that appear to provide benefit for people who have various types of liver disease. It may also have a protective effect for individuals taking medications that might cause liver damage.
How does it work?
The activity of milk thistle is reported to be derived from a compound called silymarin. Silymarin apparently prevents toxic substances from getting into certain vulnerable liver cells, thereby offering protection. It may also help reduce the amount of damage and inflammation certain chemicals may cause in the liver.
How is it best taken?
  • Take this product with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Take this product with a full glass of water.
  • Take this product at a similar time every day.
  • Since the effects of this product may take several weeks of regular use, use it for a minimum of 1 month before determining whether it has been effective.
What do I do if I miss a dose?
  • To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
What are the precautions when taking this natural product?
  • Check medicines and natural products with healthcare provider. This natural product may not mix well with other medicines or natural products.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).
  • Use with caution if you have an allergy to the Asteraceae/Compositae family of plants (ragweed, daisy, aster, chrysanthemum) and/or other pollens.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicines or natural products. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
What are the possible side effects of this natural product?
  • Belly pain and cramps.
  • Diarrhea, more of a mild laxative effect. Yogurt, Bifidobacterium bifidum , or Lactobacillus acidophilus may help.
What should I monitor?
  • Check liver function tests. Talk with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Severe nausea or vomiting.
  • Severe diarrhea.
  • Nausea, vomiting, belly pain, feeling tired, dark urine, yellow skin or eyes, not hungry.
How should I store this natural product?
  • Store in original container at room temperature.
  • Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
Plant part used
Seed
Dosage forms
Oral
Drug interactions
None known that have a negative consequence. Milk thistle may provide benefit when combined with certain medications that have the potential to damage the liver. Examples include the phenothiazines, phenytoin, alcohol, acetaminophen, and others. However, talk with healthcare provider before combining this herb with any medications.
General statements
Under current law in the United States, herbal supplements are classified as dietary supplements and fall under the regulations of the food service industry. This includes the manufacturing practices imposed by the local agriculture departments for food manufacturers. Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) are currently not required by the FDA, yet many companies follow GMPs, and the industry is improving self-imposed practices. Use herbs with extreme caution in the following groups:
  • Children younger than 2 years of age
  • Pregnant or lactating women; some herbs are contraindicated in pregnancy, make sure to observe warnings.
  • If you are taking pharmaceutical medications (prescription and others), always review for potential herb-drug interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • If you are taking other natural products, always review for potential herb-herb, or herb-natural product interactions with your healthcare provider.
  • Individuals having known allergies to plants. If you fall into this category, speak with your healthcare provider before using an herbal product. Both large doses of herbs and herbs taken over a long period of time may increase the risk for adverse effects. Many herbs, due to a variety of their chemical ingredients, may cause temporary adverse effects such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach distress.
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