Milk Thistle for Liver Detox

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Milk thistle is a native plant of the Mediterranean region and can be found growing in numerous areas throughout the globe. Milk thistle extract has been used as an herbal remedy for liver and gallbladder problems, as well as a treatment for other ailments for hundreds of years. It contains a specific bioflavonoid complex called silymarin, containing flavonolignans from silybum marianum which contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some health practitioners even recommend milk thistle extract for people with cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcoholism, drug addiction and viral hepatitis.

Milk thistle and its medicinal properties have been extensively studied in clinical trials and tests by medical research universities. Conclusive tests performed on animals show that milk thistle counteracts the toxic effects of mushroom poisoning by death cap mushrooms if administered within 10 minutes of ingestion. Taken within 24 hours of ingestion, milk thistle significantly reduces the risk of liver damage, or death, associated with mushroom poisoning, and thus is often used as an emergency antidote. Its healthful effects in this regard are conclusive.

Though the FDA has not evaluated the use of milk thistle, it is a highly regarded herbal remedy in European countries and studies are being conducted in the U.S. regarding its medicinal qualities and uses in the treatment of certain disease. Some laboratory studies have shown the silymarin and other active ingredients found in milk thistle may improve liver function and protect the liver from toxins and damage. Damage caused by high doses of acetaminophen may be reversed or prevented with milk thistle and it may help the liver repair itself by growing new cells.

The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of milk thistle extract continue to be widely researched in the U.S. Early studies show that milk thistle may have an anti-cancer effect by decreasing the division and reproduction of cancer cells and cutting off blood supply to tumors, though this effect is as of yet unproven on the human body, only in controlled laboratory testing. Still, the antioxidant benefits of milk thistle on the liver are strongly supported.

People suffering from liver damage due to medication, alcohol, or recreational drug use, as well as those who are readily exposed to toxins found in workplace and residential pollutants may benefit from a milk thistle supplement. The antioxidant properties of milk thistle are estimated to be 10 times more powerful than Vitamin E. Adverse side effects are rarely reported, with the most common being mild stomach irritation.

Milk thistle, sometimes known as St. Mary's thistle, is a tall, wide prickly plant that grows rapidly in sunny areas. In many areas, milk thistle is considered an invasive weed. Though its easily recognized by its mottled, prickly leaves and purplish flower, resembling the common dandy lion, milk thistle extract is derived from the plant's seeds. Milk thistle is available as an herbal supplement in capsule form. Standard preparations made from the plant's seeds contain between 70 and 80 percent silymarin.

While herbal supplements should be approached with the understanding that just because they are derived from natural sources does not mean they do not have the potential to interact with other medications or drugs. The use of milk thistle as a liver detoxification is widely known but milk thistle is also used to lower cholesterol, reduce the damage caused by oral steroids, lower insulin resistance, the treatment of mononucleosis, and occasionally as a mild laxative.

Milk thistle is recommended as an herbal supplement for the detoxification of the liver, not as a stand-alone treatment for liver disease, hepatitis, or cancer. It may be beneficial for people who have been exposed to the effects of certain drugs, as well as environmental toxins, and can promote healthy liver function. If you drink alcohol, have taken steroids, or have used acetaminophen long term, you may benefit from taking milk thistle.

Milk thistle is an edible plant and standardized preparations contain no harmful solvents. Though milk thistle has been used as an herbal remedy for centuries and has been shown to be safe for most people, some interactions with herbal supplements and medications can occur. For this reason, if you take regular medications or are under the care of a physician for a specific condition, including if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should talk to your health care practitioner before taking milk thistle. Be sure to tell your health care provider that you are taking milk thistle supplements before being prescribed any new medication as well.

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