How much milk thistle a day

Please check with your GP before trying any remedies. Sources 1. Milk Thistle 2. European Medicines Agency. European Union herbal monograph on Silybum marianum L. As Source 1 4. Vargas-Mendoza N, et al. Hepatoprotective effect of silymarin 5. Lovelace ES, et al. Pharmacology of Silymarin 7. Milk thistle has been shown in experimental test-tube and animal studies to stimulate bone mineralization and potentially be protective against bone loss 22 , As a result, researchers suggest that milk thistle may be a useful therapy for preventing or delaying bone loss in postmenopausal women 24 , Some animal studies have shown that milk thistle could be useful for reducing the side effects of cancer treatments 26 , 27 , It may also make chemotherapy work more effectively against certain cancers and, in some circumstances, even destroy cancer cells 9 , 29 , 30 , However, the studies in humans are very limited and have yet to show a meaningful clinical effect in people 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , More studies are needed before it can be determined how silymarin might be used to support people undergoing cancer treatment.

One reported effect of milk thistle is that it can boost breast milk production in lactating mothers. However, this is the only clinical study available. More research is needed to confirm these results and the safety of milk thistle for breastfeeding mothers 38 , 39 , Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition.

While not dangerous, it can cause scars. People may also find it painful and worry about its effects on their appearance. Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, milk thistle may be a useful supplement for people with acne.

In fact, a recent review and analysis found that people routinely taking silymarin experienced a significant reduction in their fasting blood sugar levels and HbA1c, a measure of blood sugar control Additionally, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of milk thistle may also be useful for reducing the risk of developing diabetic complications like kidney disease Milk thistle is generally considered safe when taken by mouth 1 , When reported, side effects for milk thistle are generally gut disturbances like diarrhea, nausea or bloating.

Milk thistle is a safe supplement that shows potential as a complementary therapy for various conditions, including liver disease, cancer and diabetes. However, many of the studies are small and have methodological flaws, which makes it difficult to give firm guidance on this supplement or confirm its effects Overall, more high-quality research is needed to define the doses and clinical effects of this fascinating herb. Fatty liver, or hepatic steatosis, is a broad term that describes the buildup of fats in the liver.

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Several smaller studies have suggested that milk thistle may benefit people with mild, subacute symptom-free liver disease. An early study from Finland found that a four-week course of silymarin supplements lowered key liver enzymes in people with subacute disease, suggesting the liver was functioning more normally. Despite the positive findings, subsequent studies have been unable to replicate the results or demonstrate that milk thistle prescribed on its own would render the same effects.

Milk thistle is sometimes used by people with chronic hepatitis C a viral infection characterized by the progressive scarring of the liver. In fact, a survey funded by the National Institutes of Health reported that 23 percent of 1, people with hepatitis C used herbal supplements, with milk thistle being by far the most common.

According to the survey, people with hepatitis C reported fewer symptoms and a "somewhat better quality of life" when taking milk thistle despite having no measurable change in viral activity or liver inflammation. Despite being well-tolerated in the study participants, silymarin prescribed thrice-daily in or milligram doses had no tangible effect on liver enzymes. Given these contradictions, many scientists believe that milk thistle delivers something of a placebo effect in which a person feels an improvement in symptoms despite having no change in their clinical condition.

Several studies have suggested that milk thistle may be beneficial for people with diabetes, most notably in those with type 2 diabetes. According to research published in Phytomedicine , a day course of silymarin increased the antioxidant capacity and reduced generalized inflammation in adults with type 2 diabetes better than a placebo.

According to the study's authors, the findings suggest that silymarin may reduce the oxidative stress typically associated with diabetes complications. A systematic review conducted in further concluded that the routine use of silymarin appears to reduce the fasting blood glucose and HbA1C levels, although the authors warned that the quality of the reviewed studies was poor.

Milk thistle may trigger a number of side effects, including headache, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and gas.

Less commonly, muscle aches, joint pain, and sexual dysfunction have been reported. Allergic reactions are also possible. People with allergies to ragweed, daisies, artichokes, kiwi, or plants in the aster family may also be allergic to milk thistle. On rare occasion, milk thistle can cause a potentially life-threatening, all-body allergy known as anaphylaxis. Call or seek emergency care if you experience shortness of breath, rash, hives, rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness, or swelling of the face, tongue, or neck after taking milk thistle.

If left untreated, anaphylaxis can lead to shock, coma, cardiac or respiratory failure, or death. Milk thistle may reduce your blood sugar, so it needs to be used with caution as it may trigger hypoglycemia low blood sugar in people on diabetes medications. Milk thistle can change the way that your body metabolizes certain drugs in the liver, triggering interactions with:.

Other interactions are possible. To avoid complications, always advise your healthcare provider about any supplements or herbal remedies you are taking.

There are no guidelines directing the appropriate use of milk thistle. Milk thistle supplements are commonly sold as in capsule form but are also available as tablets, tea bags, and oral tinctures. Doses range from milligrams to 1, milligrams. Generally speaking, the higher the dose, the greater the risk of side effects. Combination remedies such as Iberogast drops used to treat dyspepsia and Barberol tablets formulated for diabetics are considered effective with milk thistle doses of 10 milligrams and milligrams, respectively.

Higher doses don't necessarily correspond to better results. Dietary supplements containing milk thistle are sold in natural foods stores, drugstores, and stores specializing in herbal products.

You can also purchase milk thistle products online. Dietary supplements in the United States do not need to undergo the rigorous testing and research and testing that pharmaceutical drugs do. Because of this, the quality can vary from one supplement to the next. To ensure quality and safety, choose products that have undergone testing and certification by an independent certifying body like the U. As an added layer of safety, opt for brands that have been certified organic under the regulations of the U.

Be wary of dried whole milk thistle or milk thistle seeds, both of which are vulnerable to fungal contamination, according to research published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology. By contrast, fungal contamination is rare in milk thistle tea bags, extracts, capsules, tablets, and soft gels. Yes, you can grow your own milk thistle.

Milk thistle is a hardy plant that grows well in most environments, although it prefers high temperatures and dry conditions. The soil also needs to be well drained. Silymarin is a compound from milk thistle seeds that is said to offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. One study on silymarin found that it interfered with the accumulation of liver fat, which means it could aid in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Possible side effects of milk thistle can include headache, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and gas.