<body><h1><strong>Milk thistle</strong></h1><h2><strong>Description:</strong></h2><p>Milk thistle (silymarin) is a flowering herb related to the daisy and ragweed family. It is native to Mediterranean countries. Some people also call it Mary thistle and holy thistle. The active ingredient in milk thistle is called silymarin. It is mainly used to treat liver problems, but some people claim it can lower cholesterol and help manage type 2 diabetes.</p><p><strong>Benefits and uses:</strong></p><p>Milk thistle is a flowering plant that comes from the same family of plants as the daisy. It grows in Mediterranean countries and is used to make natural remedies. Different parts of the milk thistle plant may be used to treat various health conditions. The most common use of milk thistle is for liver problems. Some claim it can help treat cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis, gallbladder disorders.</p><p>Other potential health benefits include protecting heart health by lowering cholesterol levels and helping people manage type 2 diabetes.</p><p>The potential health benefits of milk thistle include:</p><h2><strong>1. Supports liver health</strong></h2><p>One of the most common uses of milk thistle is to treat liver problems. A 2016 study found that milk thistle improved diet-induced liver damage in mice. More evidence is needed to prove that milk thistle benefits human livers in the same way. However, researchers theorize that it does. The active ingredient in milk thistle, silymarin, acts as an antioxidant by reducing free radical production. Scientists think this creates a detoxifying effect, which is why it is milk thistle may be beneficial for liver problems. Until more research is carried out, however, milk thistle is not recommended as the primary treatment option for liver problems. But it may be a helpful complementary treatment to try.</p><h2><strong>2. Promotes skin health</strong></h2><p>Milk thistle may help to promote healthy skin. A 2015 study found that milk thistle helped improve inflammatory skin conditions when applied to the skin of mice. Milk thistle was also found to have antioxidant and anti-aging effects on human skin cells in a laboratory environment in another study. Further research on humans is needed to identify what benefits a person can expect from applying milk thistle to their skin.</p><h2><strong>3. Reduces cholesterol</strong></h2><p>High cholesterol can lead to problems with heart health and increase a person’s chance of stroke. A 2006 study suggests milk thistle may play an important role keeping cholesterol levels down. It found that cholesterol levels were lower in people taking milk thistle to treat diabetes than those taking a placebo.</p><h2><strong>4. Supports weight loss</strong></h2><p>Initial animal research conducted in 2016 found that silymarin caused weight loss in mice that were fed a diet intended to cause weight gain. This suggests milk thistle may be beneficial for those looking to lose weight. More research into the effects of milk thistle on weight loss in humans is needed to confirm this, however.</p><h2><strong>5. Reduces insulin resistance</strong></h2><p>A study on mice found milk thistle extract helped to reduce insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a problem for people with type 2 diabetes. Although this research suggests milk thistle could play a role in diabetes management, more research is needed to confirm whether milk thistle reduces insulin resistance and supports diabetes management.</p><h2><strong>6. Improves allergic asthma symptoms</strong></h2><p>The active ingredient in milk thistle can help to reduce inflammation. A 2012 study found that silymarin helped to protect against inflammation in the airways of mice with allergic asthma. More research is needed to see if silymarin benefits asthma symptoms in humans.</p><h2><strong>7. Limits the spread of cancer</strong></h2><p>Milk thistle may help to stop the spread of certain types of cancer. A 2016 review found that milk thistle extract inhibited the growth of cancerous cells in colorectal cancer. More research is needed to determine how milk thistle may be used to help fight cancer.</p><h2><strong>8. Supports bone health</strong></h2><p>Milk thistle may play an essential role in supporting bone health. A 2013 study found that milk thistle helped to prevent bone loss. The study looked specifically at bone loss caused by a deficiency in estrogen. It is not yet clear whether milk thistle is equally beneficial for bone loss with a different cause. Further studies are needed before it is safe to conclude that milk thistle supports bone health in humans.</p><h2><strong>9. Improves cognition</strong></h2><p>A 2015 study found that milk thistle increased resistance to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a potential cause of Alzheimer’s disease. In this way, milk thistle may help improve cognition and treat degenerative conditions that affect the mind. More research on humans is needed to confirm the effects of milk thistle on cognition.</p><h2><strong>10. Boosts the immune system</strong></h2><p>Milk thistle may help strengthen a person’s immune response and help them fight off infection. A 2016 study on an animal model found that milk thistle extract improved the immunity when consumed. An older study found that milk thistle extract had a positive effect on immune response in humans. More studies with human participants are needed before scientists can say with certainty that milk thistle boosts a person’s immune system.</p><h2><strong>How to use Milk Thistle:</strong></h2><p>Milk thistle is available as a supplement from many health food stores. There is no standard dose of milk thistle, so it is best to read the dosage suggested on the packaging. Milk thistle is also available as a tea. If drinking milk thistle tea, it is best to limit intake to 6 cups a day.</p><h2><strong>Dosage:</strong></h2><p>Milk thistle is considered safe in dosages of 420 mg/day orally in divided doses for up to 41 months. One source suggests daily doses of 12 to 15 g of dry fruits for dyspepsia and disorders of the biliary system, while an extract containing 200 to 400 mg/day of silymarin is considered effective in various liver disorders.</p><p><strong>Side Effects:</strong></p><p>Usually, milk thistle causes few, if any, serious side effects. Studies show that it’s safe when taken for up to 41 months. Milk thistle may cause diarrhea. More rarely, it may cause nausea, bloating, gas, and upset stomach. Women who are breastfeeding or pregnant should avoid using milk thistle. If you have a ragweed allergy, you should also avoid milk thistle. Milk thistle may cause a rash or lead to severe allergic reaction. Since milk thistle may mimic the effects of estrogen, some women should avoid this herb. This includes women who have fibroid tumors or endometriosis. Additionally, women with breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers should not take milk thistle. Always tell your doctor of any supplement you are taking. Milk thistle may interact with certain medications.</p><h2><strong>Contraindications:</strong></h2><p>Milk thistle is contraindicated in patients with allergy to any plant in the Asteraceae family. Avoid use of the aboveground parts of the plant in women with hormone-sensitive conditions (eg, breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers; endometriosis; uterine fibroids) unless under the supervision of a physician, due to the extract’s possible estrogenic effects. The more commonly used milk thistle seed extracts are not known to have estrogenic effects.</p></body>
