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What is Milk Thistle?

Milk thistle (Latin name Silybum marianum), also called silybum, holy thistle and silymarin, is a member of the Asteraceae or daisy family. Its use dates back thousands of years to the time of the ancient Greeks and Romans. {Note: Milk thistle is NOT the same as milkweed. They are two distinctly different plants.}

Other common names are Marian thistle, Mediterranean thistle, Mary thistle, variegated thistle and blessed milk thistle.

The compounds in milk thistle, which are dominantly flavonoids (Wikipedia), include silymarin, silybin, isosilybin and silibinin.

Silymarin is the primary active ingredient in milk thistle and is responsible for its antioxidant and liver-protecting effects.

Silymarin protects liver cells from toxins by inhibiting the release or the synthesis of certain enzymes toxic to liver tissue, and by altering liver cell membranes to prevent toxins from passing through the cell.

Silymarin promotes liver cell protein synthesis and decreases the oxidation of glutathione as well. In addition, milk thistle contains betaine hydrochloride, a hepatoprotector which strengthens the protective properties of milk thistle.

Health Benefits of Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is a powerful antioxidant, rivaling vitamin C and vitamin E in protecting the cells of the liver from free radical damage. Milk thistle has been extensively studied for use in supporting liver function in the body. Silymarin, one of the compounds found in milk thistle, supports the liver by improving concentration of glutathione, an amino acid-like compound involved in liver detoxification, by up to 35%.

Milk thistle has been commonly used to treat liver poisoning induced by eating Amanita phalloides mushrooms (death caps), and to keep toxins from damaging the liver. Several European studies have demonstrated that silymarin neutralizes this poisonous mushroom much better than activated charcoal, the treatment prescribed in conventional medicine.

Purity and Concentration of Milk Thistle

This pharmaceutical-grade milk thistle is a pure extract assayed by the manufacturer to contain at least 80% silymarin. It contains no fillers, additives or anti-caking agents.

Suggested Use of Milk Thistle

The suggested serving size for milk thistle is 250 milligrams a day, depending on individual needs. You can see the full bulk density/volumetric conversion chart for Milk Thistle here. A serving size of 1/32 teaspoon is equal to 83 milligrams, so 3/32 teaspoon will give a serving size of 249 milligrams.

Potential Side Effects of Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is safe at suggested serving sizes. It is best to take this product with meals. Although side effects are extremely rare, some people may experience stomach irritation when starting the herb.

References & Further Research

University of Maryland Medical Center: Milk Thistle

WebMD: Milk Thistle

NOTE: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The information at Purebulk.com is NOT a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not use any dietary supplement as a replacement for conventional care, or as a reason to postpone seeing a doctor about a medical problem. Tell all your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates herbal and other dietary supplements differently than conventional medicines. The standards for supplements are found in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), a federal law that defines dietary supplements and sets product-label­ing standards and health claim limits. To learn more about DSHEA, visit the FDA Web site.