Milk Thistle Medicines: Overview, Benefits, Side effects & Risk factors

Team AckoJun 27, 2024

Throughout history, humans have always turned to natural remedies like herbs and spices to treat illnesses before modern medicine was introduced. However, these traditional treatments were eventually dismissed by doctors with the rise of evidence-based medicine. Today, there is a resurgence in interest in these natural remedies as more people seek alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs. 

One such natural remedy gaining popularity is Milk Thistle (MT), known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. While herbalists have been advocating for its health benefits for years, modern researchers are only beginning to understand its potential benefits. 

Current studies primarily focus on Silymarin, the active component of Milk Thistle. Delve deeper into this article to discover in detail the benefits, side effects, and more about milk thistle. 

Contents

• What is Milk Thistle?
• Health benefits of Milk Thistle
  • 1. Helps protects your liver
  • 2. May inhibit the age-related deterioration of the brain
  • 3. Supports bone health
  • 4. May improve the cancer treatment
  • 5. Help improve the production of breast milk
  • 6. Promotes skin health
  • 7. Helps manage blood sugar levels
  • 8. Strengthens the immune system
  • 9. Aids weight loss
  • 10. Lowers cholesterol
  • 11. Reduces allergic asthma
• Can Milk Thistle Be Used for the Liver?
• Is Milk Thistle Good for People with Diabetes?
• Is Milk Thistle Beneficial for the Heart?
• Is Milk Thistle safe?
• Interactions with other drugs
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is Milk Thistle?

Milk Thistle is a Mediterranean plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family. Silybum Marianum is the botanical name for MT. The ripe seeds are the plant's medicinal components. The active ingredient in MT seed extract is Silymarin, a flavonoid with antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant properties.

Milk Thistle (MT), or Silybum Marianum, is a bright pink flowering plant that grows in the wild of northern Africa, southern Europe, and the Middle East. For almost more than 2,000 years, it has been used to treat the liver and spleen. MT is now utilised as a herbal medicine to relieve indigestion and for its liver-protective properties. It is available in the form of capsules, pills, and tea.

It is used in herbal medicine to treat liver illnesses such as liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, and jaundice. It is also helpful in treating gallbladder disease and is said to protect the liver against snake bites, alcohol, and other environmental poisons.

According to studies, MT can be used to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) since it is as effective as fluoxetine, which is typically used for the treatment of OCD. As per clinical research, Silybum Marianum inhibits hepatitis C virus (HCV) cell culture infection in human hepatoma cultures. 

Additionally, Silymarin helps treat the liver by scavenging harmful free radicals, protecting the cell membrane, preventing toxins from entering the liver cells, regenerating destroyed cells, and neutralising toxins that tend to damage the liver, such as alcohol.

Health benefits of Milk Thistle

Here are some potential health benefits of Milk Thistle.

1. Helps protects your liver

Milk Thistle is often used as a supplemental therapy by people with liver damage. It is also used for protecting the liver against toxins such as amatoxin, which is generated by the death cap mushroom and is fatal if consumed.

Studies show that it may help minimise liver inflammation and damage. MT is considered to prevent liver damage caused by free radicals, which are generated when your liver metabolises toxic chemicals.

2. May inhibit the age-related deterioration of the brain

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of MT are neuroprotective in nature and may help prevent the deterioration of brain function caused by ageing. It has been used as a traditional medication for neurological illnesses such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease for over two thousand years.

Silymarin has been demonstrated to reduce oxidative damage to brain cells, which may aid in the prevention of mental decline. Amyloid plaques are sticky amyloid protein clumps that can form between nerve cells as you age. They are found in high concentrations in the brains of persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease, which means MT can be used to help treat this challenging illness.

3. Supports bone health

In experimental test-tube animal studies, it was found that the MT may accelerate bone mineralization and perhaps protect against bone loss. 

4. May improve the cancer treatment

According to certain research, Silymarin's antioxidant properties may have some anticancer effects, which may be beneficial to cancer patients. According to animal studies, MT may be effective in reducing the negative effects of cancer treatments. It may also improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy against some tumours and, in certain cases, even eliminate cancer cells.

5. Help improve the production of breast milk

Milk Thistle has been shown to increase breast milk production in breastfeeding mothers. It is considered that MT works by increasing the level of prolactin hormone in your body, thereby improving breast milk production in lactating mothers. Although the evidence is limited, one randomised trial revealed that women who took 420 mg of Silymarin for 63 days made 64 percent more milk than those who took a placebo.

6. Promotes skin health

Milk Thistle may benefit skin health. According to a 2015 study, when applied to the skin of mice, it was discovered that MT helped treat inflammatory skin disorders. A 2019 study on cells indicated that MT components may protect your skin against the negative effects of sun exposure and may slow down skin ageing.

7. Helps manage blood sugar levels

One of the components in Milk Thistle performed similarly to several diabetes medicines by improving insulin sensitivity and lowering blood sugar. In fact, a recent study discovered that those who took Silymarin on a regular basis had a considerable drop in their fasting blood sugar levels and HbA1c.

8. Strengthens the immune system

According to research, milk thistle has been shown to boost the immune system and combat chronic inflammation. Studies have found that a compound called silymarin in milk thistle can stimulate the immune system and reduce inflammation. 

In fact, there have been positive effects seen in both animal and human studies when it comes to immune response. Further research with human participants could provide more definitive evidence of the benefits of milk thistle for immunity.

9. Aids weight loss

In early animal studies, researchers discovered that silymarin led to weight loss in mice who were given a diet meant to induce weight gain. These findings hint that milk thistle could be helpful for individuals seeking to shed excess pounds. Further research is necessary to investigate the impact of milk thistle on human weight loss outcomes and to validate these initial results.

10. Lowers cholesterol

Having high cholesterol can be bad for heart health and increase the risk of stroke. Studies have shown that milk thistle might have an impact on cholesterol levels, although more research is needed to confirm this. 

One study from 2006 suggests that milk thistle could help lower cholesterol levels. Participants with diabetes who took milk thistle had lower cholesterol levels compared to those who took a placebo. 

Another study from 2016 involved feeding rats a high-cholesterol diet. Rats that received silybin, the active compound in milk thistle, at 300 and 600 mg/kg of body weight had lower total blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

11. Reduces allergic asthma

Asthma is a long-lasting inflammatory condition in which the immune system reacts excessively to environmental triggers, causing swelling in the airways. Milk thistle's active component could potentially decrease inflammation.

Can Milk Thistle Be Used for the Liver?

There is mixed data on the advantages of milk thistle for liver health. It might offer protection to the liver, possibly preventing harm. Some studies suggest that milk thistle could potentially treat cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis, which can result from alcohol abuse, autoimmune conditions, or viruses. 

However, experts note that the evidence is not definitive. Further research indicates that milk thistle could assist individuals with liver damage from exposure to industrial toxins like toluene and xylene.

Is Milk Thistle Good for People with Diabetes?

According to medical research, combining milk thistle with traditional treatment may enhance diabetes management. Studies indicate a reduction in blood sugar levels and a better cholesterol profile in individuals with type 2 diabetes. 

Researchers have also discovered that milk thistle can help with insulin resistance, an important factor in type 2 diabetes. It is advisable to consult with your healthcare provider prior to starting any supplements, as they could potentially interact with your medications.

Is Milk Thistle Beneficial for the Heart?

Lowering LDL cholesterol levels with milk thistle may reduce the risk of heart disease, especially in individuals with diabetes who typically have high cholesterol. However, its effects on those without diabetes are still uncertain. 

Milk thistle can complement cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins and prevent the increase in liver enzymes, a common side effect of such medication.

Is Milk Thistle safe?

Milk Thistle is considered safe when taken orally. According to the National Cancer Institute, MT or Silymarin have very few side effects, which may include the following.

• Nausea

• Heartburn

• A laxative effect

• Stomach disorder

• A mild allergic reaction at high doses

However, the following people need to be watchful when consuming MT supplements.

Pregnant women: Since there is no data available on its safety in pregnant women, it is generally suggested that they avoid this supplement.

People who are allergic to Milk Thistle Plant: People who are allergic to the Asteraceae family of plants may encounter an allergic reaction.

Diabetic people: Since Milk Thistle has blood sugar-lowering properties, it may put diabetic people at risk of low blood sugar.

People with specific conditions: Milk Thistle has estrogenic properties, which may augment hormone-sensitive illnesses such as some types of breast cancer.

Interactions with other drugs

Potential interactions to be aware of when taking milk thistle include: 

• If you are taking Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates like diazepam (Valium) or warfarin (Jantoven), milk thistle may impact how your body processes these drugs. This could lead to changes in the levels of these medications in your system. 

• For individuals with type 2 diabetes, milk thistle may lower blood sugar levels. It is important to closely monitor your blood sugar and consult with your doctor before incorporating milk thistle supplements into your regimen if you are on diabetes medications. 

• When taking raloxifene (Evista) for osteoporosis, milk thistle may influence how your liver metabolizes the medication. This could result in higher concentrations of the drug in your blood. It is advisable to discuss the use of milk thistle with your healthcare provider if you are taking raloxifene.

• Avoid combining milk thistle with Simeprevir, as it can lead to higher levels of the drug in your blood plasma. 

• It is also not recommended to take milk thistle with Sirolimus, as it may affect the way your body metabolizes the medication.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here’s a section featuring common questions and answers related to Milk Thistle medicines.

What happens when Milk Thistle is taken on a daily basis?

MT is usually regarded as safe for most individuals at doses of up to 420 mg three times per day. However, it may cause mild side effects like allergic reactions, itching, headaches, joint discomfort, and gastrointestinal problems like nausea or diarrhoea.

Is Milk Thistle harmful to your liver?

Several scientific studies show that the compounds in Milk Thistle, especially a flavonoid called Silymarin, help treat your liver by scavenging the harmful free radicals, protecting the cell membrane, preventing toxins from entering the liver cells, regenerating destroyed cells, and neutralising toxins that tend to damage the liver, such as alcohol.

What are the side effects of Milk Thistle?

MT is considered safe when taken orally. It can have very few side effects including nausea, heartburn, a laxative effect, stomach disorder, and a mild allergic reaction, at high doses.

Sources:

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20564545/

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26755857/

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26367736/

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2671116/

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4076489/

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851903/

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9027949/

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28125040/

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22555054/

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22352731/

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. Please consult a doctor before making any health-related decisions. Milk Thistle is written as MT in this article due to certain constraints, it is not a medical acronym.

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