MILK THISTLE
January 3rd, 2007 Posted by: Dr. Cox
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QUESTION:
What can you tell me about milk thistle?
ANSWER:
Milk thistle is a herbal remedy that has been used for the prevention and treatment of a wide range of liver problems. The milk thistle plant is native to the Mediterranean, but is now grown in many areas, including Eastern Europe, Asia, the eastern United States, and California. The seeds of this plant and, to a lesser extent, the leaves and stems contain a group of active substances known as “silymarin”. The liver-protecting and liver-repairing properties of silymarin arc thought to be due to its ability to block damage causing toxins from getting into the liver (antioxidant) and by its ability to increase the production of proteins by liver cells leading to liver repair. Milk thistle has been used for chronic liver and gallbladder disorders, and for protection against liver damage caused by harmful drugs, chemicals, alcohol abuse, or hepatitis. It has also been used to treat poisoning from the death cup mushroom (Amanita phalloides).
In Germany, the use of milk thistle has been endorsed as a non-prescription drug for chronic inflammatory liver disease and cirrhosis. It should be noted, however, that liver problems require a physician’s attention and self-treatment is not advised. Milk thistle is marketed in the U.S. in the form of capsules or an oral liquid. The recommended dose of silymarin is 100 mg to 200 mg twice daily. Milk thistle appears to be well tolerated, but nau