Products
Preparations from the fruits of milk thistle are commercially available in the form of tablets, capsules, and tincture, among others. The medicinal drug is available in pharmacies and drugstores. Not all medicines are approved for the same indications.
Stem plant
Milk thistle, a member of the daisy family (Asteraceae), is native to southern Europe.
Medicinal drug
Milk thistle fruits (Cardui mariae fructus, Silybi mariani fructus) are usually used as a medicinal drug. These are the ripe fruits of the plant, freed from the pappus. The pharmacopoeia requires a minimum content of silymarin. More rarely, milk thistle herb (Cardui mariae herba) is also used.
Ingredients
The flavonolignans are primarily considered to be the relevant constituents. The mixture silymarin consists of silibinin (= silybin), isosilybin, silychristin and silydianin. Silibinin is the main component.
Effects
Preparations from the fruits of milk thistle (ATC A05BA03) have antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antihepatotoxic, choleretic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Liver-protective and antitoxic effects have been demonstrated in numerous liver injury models.
Indications for use
- For supportive treatment of chronic inflammatory liver disease, cirrhosis and toxic (caused by liver toxins) liver damage.
- For the treatment of digestive complaints such as bloating, belching and flatulence, especially after high-fat meals.
Silibinin is additionally approved as an antidote for poisoning with green tuberous-leaf mushroom.
Dosage
According to the package insert. Intake depends on the drug and the indication. Primarily, ready-to-use medicines are used. Teas are less common.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity
- Children under 12 years
Full precautions can be found in the drug label.
Adverse effects
Possible adverse effects rarely include digestive disturbances such as mild diarrhea (soft stools) and nausea, and rarely hypersensitivity reactions.
