Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a medicinal plant from the Asteraceae family that is native to Southern Europe, Central Asia, and Ethiopia; it is known for its distinctive white-veined leaves and ability to grow up to 6 feet tall. It blooms from June to August and produces black seeds that are harvested for medicinal use, and its extracts contain 70% to 80% of the compound silymarin.
What is milk thistle?
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a medicinal plant from the Asteraceae family that is native to Southern Europe, Central Asia, and Ethiopia; it is known for its distinctive white-veined leaves and ability to grow up to 6 feet tall. It blooms from June to August and produces black seeds that are harvested for medicinal use, and its extracts contain 70% to 80% of the compound silymarin.
What are milk thistle’s main benefits?
Milk thistle's main benefits are primarily attributed to its bioactive extract, silymarin. For detailed information on silymarin's benefits, refer to the specific silymarin page.
What are milk thistle’s main drawbacks?
The main drawbacks of milk thistle are not extensively covered because research has primarily focused on its bioactive extract, silymarin. For detailed information on silymarin's drawbacks, refer to the specific silymarin page.
How does milk thistle work?
Milk thistle works primarily through its main bioactive extract, silymarin. For detailed mechanisms of action, refer to the silymarin page.
What are other names for Milk Thistle?
Note that Milk Thistle is also known as:
- Marian thistle
- Mary thistle
- St Mary’s thistle
- Our Lady’s thistle
- Holy thistle
- Sow thistle
- Blessed Virgin thistle
- Christ’s crown
- Venue thistle
- Heal thistle
- Variegated Thistle
- Wild Artichoke
- Carduus Marianus
- Silybum marianum
Milk Thistle should not be confused with:
- Artichoke Extract (despite Milk Thistle being known as 'Wild Artichoke')
- Sphaeranthus Indicus (East Indian Thistle)
Dosage information
Milk thistle supplements are sold in the form of capsules, tablets, and tinctures and also exist as intravenous solutions (only available in hospital settings).
The recommended daily dosage of any given milk thistle supplement depends on both the treatment purpose and the supplement’s silymarin content.
When silymarin is used for hepatoprotection, the recommended daily dosage typically falls in the range of 420 mg to 600 mg of silymarin per day, usually taken in three split doses.[1][2]
Frequently asked questions
What is milk thistle?
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a medicinal plant belonging to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. It is native to Southern Europe, Central Asia, and Ethiopia[3] and grows particularly well on the sunny slopes of the Mediterranean countries. Milk thistle’s leaves have characteristic white, “milky” veins, and the plant can grow up to 6 feet tall. It typically blooms from June to August, after which its black seeds are harvested to be used for medicinal purposes. Milk thistle can now be found throughout California, South America, Africa, Australia, and Asia.[4][1]
Although the terms milk thistle and silymarin are often used interchangeably, silymarin is a complex extracted from the dried seeds and fruits of milk thistle.[4][5][6] Milk thistle extracts are typically odorless and contain 70–80% of silymarin.[7]
What are milk thistle’s historical uses?
Quick answer:
Milk thistle has a long history of medicinal use that dates back to ancient times, when it was used to treat serpent bites and liver issues. Its reputation for promoting liver health has persisted through the centuries, and it continues to be a popular supplement today.
Milk thistle has a rich history of medicinal use dating back to ancient times. The physician and pharmacologist Dioscorides (40–90 AD) was among the first to report using milk thistle to treat serpent bites. Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD) also documented its use for removing bile when milk thistle was mixed with honey.[5]
During the Middle Ages, milk thistle gained a reputation for having positive effects on liver health and as an antidote for liver toxins. This perspective persisted through various historical periods, with figures like the British herbalist Culpepper recommending it for liver obstructions. Physicians Felter and Lloyd also noted its potential benefits for liver "congestion." Today, milk thistle remains a popular supplement widely used by healthcare practitioners.[5]
What are milk thistle’s main benefits?
Milk thistle's main benefits are primarily attributed to its bioactive extract, silymarin. For detailed information on silymarin's benefits, refer to the specific silymarin page.
Research on milk thistle is primarily focused on its main bioactive extract, silymarin. Please refer to the silymarin page for a description of silymarin’s main benefits.
What are milk thistle’s main drawbacks?
The main drawbacks of milk thistle are not extensively covered because research has primarily focused on its bioactive extract, silymarin. For detailed information on silymarin's drawbacks, refer to the specific silymarin page.
Research on milk thistle is primarily focused on its main bioactive extract, silymarin. Please refer to the silymarin page for a description of silymarin’s main drawbacks.
How does milk thistle work?
Milk thistle works primarily through its main bioactive extract, silymarin. For detailed mechanisms of action, refer to the silymarin page.
Research on milk thistle is primarily focused on its main bioactive extract, silymarin. Please refer to the silymarin page for a description of silymarin’s mechanisms of action.
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