GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Milk thistle has been used medicinally for
more than 2,000 years. The well-known 17th century pharmacist Nicholas Culpeper recommended the
plant for the treatment of jaundice as well as citing its
use for opening “obstructions” of the liver and spleen. The
parts of the plant used in medicine are the seeds of the dried flower. These seeds contain a
bioflavonoid complex known as silymarin. Three compounds
make up the silymarin complex: silibinin, silidianin, and
silicristin. Silibinin is the most active and is
largely responsible for the medicinal powers of silymarin.
ROLE FOR ANTI-AGING:
Many people take milk thistle regularly to
protect their livers from the effects of alcohol,
heavy metals, and drugs, and as needed after exposure to solvents, pesticides, bacteria from
food poisoning, and other toxins. Studies since the 1930s,
conducted mainly in Germany, confirmed that silymarin works
to stabilize liver cell membranes and act as an antioxidant to protect liver cells from free radical damage. It
also helps regenerate healthy liver
cells and boosts the organ’s ability
to filter toxins from the blood. Most recently,
researchers found that the antioxidant activity of milk
thistle seed extract reduced the liver damage typically seen
in patients who take prescription anti-psychotic
drugs for extended periods. Long-term placebo- controlled clinical trials have shown milk thistle
extracts to be effective in treating patients with
liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis B,
and diabetes due to cirrhosis of
the liver.
THERAPEUTIC DAILY AMOUNT:
Milk thistle comes in capsules, liquids, and
teas; silymarin (the chemical constituent thought to be responsible for milk thistle’s medical
benefits) does not dissolve well in water, so the teas are
very weak. The most popular products are standardized
extracts of silymarin. An average dose is 200mg of an
extract standardized for 70-80% silymarin.
MAXIMUM SAFE LEVEL: Not established
SIDE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Taking milk thistle products does not seem to
cause any adverse effects either immediately or over the long term. In fact, the plant’s young
(non-spiny) leaves and stems were once consumed as food in
Europe. In some individuals Milk Thistle, may have a mild,
transient laxative effect.
