Milk Thistle

Native to the Mediterranean region of Europe, milk thistle has a long history of use as both a food and a medicine. As a food, its leaves have been used like lettuce, the stalks like asparagus, and the roasted seeds like coffee. Milk thistle has also been used medicinally for well over 2,000 years to treat jaundice and increase breast milk production. Although there is no proof that milk thistle helps with breast-feeding, it has shown dramatic results in modern times in healing liver problems.

How It Works

The active substance in milk thistle is actually a combination of chemicals collectively called silymarin that not only protects the liver from toxins or disease but also can regenerate liver tissue that's already been damaged. According to research, silymarin seems to have a membrane-stabilizing activity that prevents toxins from getting into the cells either by competing for the receptors or through antioxidant action and free radical scavenging. Silymarin also stimulates the synthesis of ribosomal RNA, an important step in cell regeneration.

What It Might Do For You

Although there is a significant amount of research regarding the use of milk thistle as a treatment for liver disease, it is not advised that you self-treat any kind of liver problem. Discuss the use of milk thistle as part of your treatment program with your health care provider to see if it's right for you.

Preliminary double-blind studies of people with chronic viral hepatitis have found that milk thistle can produce significant improvement in symptoms such as fatigue, reduced appetite, and abdominal discomfort, as well as results on blood tests for liver inflammation. However, studies conducted on those with acute viral hepatitis have shown mixed results.

As for cirrhosis and alcoholic liver disease, milk thistle seems to improve liver histology as well as significantly reduce mortality. In addition, preliminary evidence suggests that milk thistle might protect against liver toxicity caused by drugs such as acetaminophen, Dilantin (phenytoin), alcohol, and phenothiazines (drugs used in the treatment of schizophrenia).

Potential Side Effects

Milk thistle has no reported side effects. In very rare cases, gastrointestinal upset has occurred.

Herb-Drug Interactions

If you are taking oral contraceptives, milk thistle may reduce its effectiveness.

Principal Author:

Stefanie Perelman, M.S., R.D., holds a B.A. in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a master's in clinical dietetics from New York University. A registered dietitian, she presently works at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx and is available for private consultation.

Nutrition Editor:

Donna Tinnerello MS, RD, CD/N is registered dietitian with more than 10 years experience in HIV and nutrition. She works in lower Manhattan at Cabrini Medical Center, the community and in private practice. Her subspecialties are cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal disease, diabetes and weight loss. Donna is available for private consultation by referral only.