All About Other Nutrients

Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum)
   print page print the page   Email email the page Follow VitalHealthZone on Twitter Bookmark and Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why milk thistle is good for you

Milk thistle is a plant that is native to the Mediterranean region and has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient Greek times for many health problems (including and especially liver disease).

The active part of the plant (silymarin) is in the flower seeds and is a powerful antioxidant.

Milk thistle has only been recently studied (the last 20 years) for its liver and gall bladder protection effects.

Milk thistle grows as thistle plant which branches at the top, growing up to 3 metres (10 feet) high. The leaves are wide with white veins and the flowers are reddish-purple in colour. The fruit is hard-skinned, brown and shiny. The plant matures in less than a year and grows in dry and sunny areas.

Advertisement


Important milk thistle facts

 

^ top



Types of milk thistle supplementation

Milk thistle is available in the following forms:

  • Tablet - silymarin is extracted and formed into a powder and compressed into tablet form
  • Capsule - silymarin powder is added to a capsule
  • Tincture - silymarin extract is added to ethanol

People who wish to take a milk thistle supplement should talk to a medical professional BEFORE taking it.

 

^ top



Milk thistle supplementation checklist

 

Milk Thistle and health

People who wish to take a milk thistle supplement should talk to a medical professional BEFORE taking it.

Advertisement


^ top



Milk Thistle in food

Milk thistle is only found in one plant - milk thistle!

^ top



How to take milk thistle

Dosage of milk thistle depends on the condition that is being treated. A medical doctor and/or alternative health care provider can advise on individual cases - this information is provided as a guide only:

lifestage age Amount (per day)
INFANTS 0-12mths Not recommended
CHILDREN 1-8yrs Not recommended
CHILDREN 9-18yrs
Seek medical advice before taking it
ADULTS 19-50yrs
For liver protection:
120mg tablets 2-3 times a day
SENIORS 51+yrs For liver protection:
120mg tablets 2-3 times a day
PREGNANT   Not recommended
LACTATING   Not recommended


People who wish to take an milk thistle supplement should talk to a medical professional BEFORE taking it.

^ top



Milk Thistle works best with

 

 

Overdosage, toxicity and cautions for milk thistle

Milk thistle very rarely causes side effects and only in extremely rare circumstances.

The rare and mild sides effects that have been reported include:

Extremely rare side effects that have been very rarely reported are:

People with allergies to the aster family, daisies, artichoke, common thistle or to the active ingredients in milk thistle (silymarin, silibinin, silydianin, silymonin, silyandrin) should NOT take milk thistle.


CAUTIONS


Follow VitalHealthZone on Twitter Bookmark and Share

 


^ top

Last reviewed: 27 September 2007 || Last updated: 17 June 2009

 

Related Articles
  • Antioxidant (glossary)
  • Cholesterol (glossary)
  • Hepatitis (health conditions)
  • Liver disease (health conditions)

 

references

 

^ top



NOTE: Mega doses of vitamins, minerals or other nutrients cannot cure illnesses and in fact can be very dangerous and produce toxic side effects and interfere with medicine you are taking. Always ensure you consult your doctor before taking any type of nutrient supplement.
Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. For any treatment or diagnosis of illness, please see your doctor.