What effect does milk thistle have?
Extracts from milk thistle fruits are known primarily for their liver-protecting and liver-regenerating effects. In traditional medicine, the medicinal plant has been used in the treatment of liver diseases since ancient times.
Liver diseases
According to studies, the reputed positive effect on the liver is based on the fact that milk thistle extracts stabilize cell membranes and thus prevent cell toxins such as alcohol from penetrating into the liver cells.
In addition, they are said to stimulate cell regeneration and have an antioxidant effect – that is, they scavenge cell-damaging free radicals (aggressive oxygen compounds).
According to the European Umbrella Organization of National Societies for Phytotherapy (ESCOP), standardized preparations of milk thistle fruit can be used for:
- toxic liver damage (e.g. due to alcohol or toxins from tuberous leaf fungus)
- for supportive treatment in chronic inflammatory liver diseases (such as hepatitis) and liver cirrhosis
The classification as a traditional medicinal product means that, although the efficacy for this area of application has not been sufficiently proven by clinical studies, it is plausible. In addition, milk thistle has been used safely for this purpose for at least 30 years.
Before taking milk thistle on its own, a serious liver disease must be ruled out by a doctor! You should always discuss the appropriate therapy for liver problems with a health care professional.
Cancer
There are indications that an ingredient in milk thistle (silibinin) may be effective against tumors. Some small studies also suggest that the herb may protect against cell damage resulting from cancer treatment (chemotherapy, radiation therapy).
However, the possible efficacy of milk thistle in cancer needs to be researched in more detail before any firm conclusions can be drawn.
Acne
Milk thistle may have a positive effect on the skin. Since the medicinal plant has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, it may help with acne.
Digestive complaints
Again, the assessment is based on the long-standing traditional use of the medicinal plant against such symptoms.
Ingredients of milk thistle
One of the most important ingredients of milk thistle is silymarin. This is a mixture of various so-called flavonolignans (such as silibinin).
How is milk thistle used?
There are standardized medicines based on milk thistle. Some people also use milk thistle tea.
Milk Thistle Medicines
The liver-protecting and liver-regenerating properties are in the fruits of the plant. Probably only finished medicines containing milk thistle extract, which has a very high silymarin content, are truly effective as liver protectors.
Available products include capsules, tablets, juice, drops and tonic of milk thistle.
For the correct way to use milk thistle medicines, see the respective package insert. Your doctor or pharmacist can also advise you on this.
The HMPC expert panel points out that only adults should take milk thistle medicines.
Milk Thistle Tea
A milk thistle tea made from the dried fruits provides too little silymarin and therefore has no liver-protective effect. However, it can alleviate symptoms caused by impaired bile flow in the liver. Bloating, flatulence, heartburn or other digestive complaints improve as a result.
To prepare the tea, crush one teaspoon each of fennel seeds and milk thistle fruit in a mortar and pour an eighth of a liter of hot water over them. Allow the infusion to steep, covered, for ten minutes before straining the plant parts.
You can drink one cup three to four times a day – after each meal. The addition of fennel is recommended because the pure milk thistle tea tastes quite greasy.
Home remedies based on medicinal plants have their limits. If your symptoms persist for a long period of time, do not get better or even get worse despite treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
What side effects can milk thistle cause?
After taking milk thistle preparations, sometimes mild side effects develop in the digestive system such as stomach irritation and diarrhea.
Here’s what you should keep in mind when using milk thistle.
- For digestive problems due to impaired bile production by the liver, milk thistle tea or a finished preparation such as milk thistle drops or capsules containing the medicinal plant will help.
- Severe liver diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis C or acute tuberous-leaf mushroom poisoning may only be treated concomitantly with medicines containing milk thistle and always under medical supervision.
- In case of suspected tuberous-leaf mushroom poisoning, you must call the emergency doctor!
- Refrain from taking milk thistle if you are allergic to daisy plants such as arnica or chrysanthemum.
- Milk thistle can lower blood sugar levels. People with diabetes should be aware of this.
- Discuss the use of milk thistle during pregnancy and breastfeeding as well as in children and adolescents with your doctor or pharmacist first.
How to obtain milk thistle products
You can obtain dried milk thistle fruits as well as ready-to-use medicines such as capsules and tablets containing milk thistle extract from your pharmacy or drugstore. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice on the use of milk thistle and also read the relevant package leaflet.
What is milk thistle?
The annual or biennial milk thistle (Silybum marianum) belongs to the daisy family. It is native to Southern Europe, Caucasus countries, Asia Minor and the Near East, as well as North Africa and the Canary Islands. It is naturalized in many other countries.
Milk thistle likes to grow in warm and dry places. It grows 60 to 150 centimeters tall. Its large, green-white marbled leaves have spear-shaped yellow spines on the edge.
Also typical of milk thistle is the spherical inflorescence with purple tubular flowers perched on spear-shaped bracts.
The flowers develop into brown-spotted fruits (colloquially called milk thistle seeds). They have a hard shell and a silky, shiny white corolla of hairs (pappus). The latter serves as a flight organ for the fruits.
