Milk thistle is widely used in the treatment of viral hepatitis (particularly hepatitis C), however, studies show mixed results. Milk thistle is thought to increase levels of the hormone prolactin and thereby boost milk supply in people who are breastfeeding (4). Well go over the methods that doctors use to determine this and provide a chart, Blessed thistle is an herb with a long history of use for digestive issues and breastfeeding. Silymarin also protects new liver cells from being destroyed by these same toxins. The plants seeds and sometimes leaves are used in these preparations. Milk thistle. Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. People who have diabetes or endometriosis should check with a doctor before using milk thistle. However, the National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine, or NCCAM, website says both herbs can upset the stomach when taken 3. Group Black's collective includes Essence, The Shade Room and Naturally Curly. Precaution: NO SAFETY DATA AVAILABLE;CAUTION ADVISED. To ensure better quality and safety, stick with well-known supplements manufacturers with an established market presence. Outside of its medicinal uses, blessed thistle is a key ingredient in the alcoholic liqueur Benedictine. Theres some evidence that milk thistle can treat cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis, which can be caused by alcohol abuse, autoimmune disease, or viruses. Clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of BIO-C (micronized Silymarin) as a galactagogue. Since milk thistle may lower blood sugar, people with diabetes should check with their doctor before taking the herb as it may make their blood sugar fall too low. My theory on a lot While blessed thistle is presumed to be safe for nursing mothers, it may stimulate uterine contractions and should be avoided during pregnancy. It comes from Europe. There are no studies showing whether or not it is safe to give milk thistle to a child. In: Textbook of Natural Medicine. If youd like to know more about becoming a YogaBellies teacher Want to teach? It is native to Mediterranean countries. Here are 10 natural nutrition and lifestyle tips to build and maintain healthy bones. Milk thistle seems to have few side effects, even when taken for several years. WebMorning sickness Many ailments can be cause by a sluggish liver and nausea is one of them, particularly morning sickness for pregnant women. Recent research has explored the use of milk thistle. The active ingredient -- the one that protects the liver -- in milk thistle is known as silymarin, a chemical extracted from the seeds. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Same goes for supplements ; DO NOT take milk thistle if you are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, chamomile, yarrow, or daisies. when they are circulating in excess. In most cases, there is little clinical evidence to support its use. Here are 7 benefits of milk thistle that are backed by science. Special precautions & warnings: Pregnancy: Blessed thistle is likely unsafe to use while pregnant. can be an expression of excess hormones causing problems. Doing so can lead to a rebound or worsening of symptoms. Jiang C, Agarwal R, Lu J. Anti-angiogenic potential of a cancer chemopreventive flavonoid antioxidant, Silymairn: inhibition of key attributes of vascular endothelial cells and angiogenic cytokine secretion by cancer epithelial cells. Sorry, we have no data available. While not dangerous, it can cause scars. Either way, I highly suggest getting your herbs from a trusted herb store like Mountain Rose Herbs. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Even less is known about cnicin's purported anti-tumor properties. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. GAIA is a trustworthy. Silybum marianum (milk thistle). These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 2015;43(9):1353-1359. Ochsner J. Thus, drinking this tea is not the best way to absorb any beneficial plant compounds (6, 7). Milk thistle supplements, for reference, are tolerated at doses of up to 700 mg, 3 times per day for 24 weeks (1). DOI:10.1016/j.molonc.2016.03.002. However, some breastfeeding mothers report an increase in breast milk after using blessed thistle for only a few days. 2012;26(5):709-715. case, things begin to store in the liver and remain in circulation in the J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Acta Biomed. But the clinical trial evidence for this benefit is still lacking. Our livers work to process the hormones in our body, and during pregnancy, they can become sluggish. Get the facts on milk thistle for the liver. Rainone F. Milk thistle. Blessed thistle is typically prepared as a tea using the tops, leaves, and upper stems or sold as a supplement in capsule, tincture, or powdered forms. 2. Milk thistle is also known as Saint Marys Thistle, holy thistle, variegated thistle, and Scotch thistle. Milk thistle: effects on liver disease and cirrhosis and clinical adverse effects. Milk thistles active component is a flavanoid called silymarin that protects and repairs damaged liver cells. 2008;79(3):205-210. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). 2009;24(2):395-405. Acta Biomed.2008 Dec;79(3):205-10. Group Leaders arent expected to spend any additional time in the community, and are not held to a set schedule. Accessed Oct. 30, 2020. The use of blessed thistle in folk medicine has been handed down from one generation to the next. The best part about milk thistle is that it is perfectly safe, with no risks to the baby. Another way to ingest milk thistle for morning sickness is to use the herb. The following is a milk thistle tea for use during pregnancy to treat morning sickness. Instructions: Simmer milk thistle in 8 oz of water for 10 minutes. Do not use blessed thistle or any similar herbal product in children.. In addition to tea, its available as oral pills and extracts. 11. By lowering LDL "bad" cholesterol levels, milk thistle may lower the chance of developing heart disease. This makes it very hard to establish a standard dose. information submitted for this request. Blessed thistle may cause allergy in some people, most commonly in those who are allergic to plants of the Asteraceae/Compositae family (including ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies). Donna Murray, RN, BSN has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rutgers University and is a current member of Sigma Theta Tau, the Honor Society of Nursing. Specifically, Silymarin in milk thistle effects the liver. The most important thing you can do for your body now is to get back to a healthy diet as soon as you can stomach it, and get daily exercise of course. From aloe to honey, you might be surprised what basic ingredients can help improve breakouts. Accessed Oct. 30, 2020. the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Doing so can reduce your risk of exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, and other common contaminants. Steinbach, M.; Scheidig, A.; and Klein, C. The Unusual Binding Mode of Cnicin to the Antibacterial Target Enzyme MurA Revealed by X-ray Crystallography. Can You Get Milk Thistle Naturally From Foods? Milk thistle: early seeds of potential. The antimicrobial activity of the Cnicus benedictus L. extracts. Milk thistle (silymarin) is a flowering herb related to the daisy and ragweed family. The data is very limited, but one randomized controlled study found that mothers taking 420 mg of silymarin for 63 days produced 64% more milk than those taking a placebo (37). Others use it to help prevent harm to the liver. The studies have not found any hazardous effects in animals, but studies in women are lacking. What Are the Risks of Taking Milk Thistle? The seed of the plant is used in herbal preparations, so you may find Milk thistle seed extract or capsules. If they do work, you will usually notice a difference within 12- 24 hours of starting taking them. Approaches to Increase Milk Supply. Fenugreek: 3 capsules 3 times a day. Blessed Thistle: 3 capsules 3 times a day, or 20 drops of the tincture 3 times a day. Take it as directed on the label. Ive had milk thistle a few times, but found a lot of conflicting information on if its safe or not during pregnancy. Some studies suggest the plant may help with management and treatment of viral hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, non-alcohol-related fatty liver disease, liver cancer, and liver injuries caused by drugs or toxins (9). Forsch Komplementmed. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. In one study of 16 patients who didn't respond to interferon and ribavirin therapy, milk thistle significantly reduced the viral load of hepatitis C. In 7 of the subjects the virus decreased to undetectable levels after 14 days of therapy. Note that once you confirm, this action cannot be undone. This prickly plant has distinctive purple flowers and white veins, which traditional stories say were caused by a drop of the Virgin Marys milk falling onto its leaves. It Could Help However, this review also noted that the quality of the studies was not very high, so more studies are needed before its possible to make any firm recommendations (44). Added bonus: this tea strengthens the uterus helping to relieve pains caused by childbirth. balance. 2009;16(1):126-128. Some people with diabetes will take it to help lower blood sugar. Research on milk thistle use for specific conditions shows: 1. I like milk thistle from Eclectic Institute, their milk thistle is grown on US soil and US organic standards, its basically the seeds grounded up, no fillers and nothing added, its not standardized but generally about 4 capsules will have between 57.6 and 120 mg of Silymarin which is the active ingredient anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory that gives the herb its benefits. The same effect may be extended to common fungal infection as well. 2010;332(3):1081-1087. It can help prevent elevation of liver enzymes, which can be a side effect of the medication. Last medically reviewed on March 4, 2021. I found out that i am 5 weeks pregnant. Overall, more high-quality research is needed to define the doses and clinical effects of this fascinating herb. According to a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, the cnicin in blessed thistle binds to bacteria in a unique way, blocking the enzymes needed for bacterial replication. Milk thistle is a purported galactogogue,[2] and is included in Silymarin is an antioxidant compound taken from milk thistle seeds. The same applies to blessed thistle supplements and tinctures. These include: Milk thistle is a safe supplement that shows potential as a complementary therapy for various conditions, including liver disease, cancer and diabetes. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. WebMilk thistle is generally regarded as safe. Others apply blessed thistle directly to boils, abscesses, and other skin infections to speed healing. Pizzorono JE, et al., eds. However, there are currently no human studies, so its effectiveness remains unclear. Di Pierro, F.;Callegari, A.;Carotenuto D. et al. It grows in dry, rocky soils. As 2016 review of studies from Tulane University didn't so much dismiss blessed thistle as a galactagogue. Milk thistle is often suggested as a treatment for alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis, but scientific studies show mixed results. Wu JW, Lin LC, Tsai TH. Should I avoid certain foods while taking Milk Thistle? Milk thistle may help with blood sugar control by improving insulin sensitivity and decreasing inflammation associated with diabetes (18). You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox. For example, one review found that silymarin may extend the life expectancy of people with cirrhosis due to alcohol-related liver disease, possibly by protecting the liver from free radicals produced during alcohol metabolism (11). This article looks at the evidence to, Whats the life expectancy of someone with cirrhosis of the liver? Its been discovered that one of the compounds in milk thistle may work similarly to some diabetic medications by helping improve insulin sensitivity and decrease blood sugar (43). Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Learn more about natural remedies for type 2 diabetes. may be asking what does my liver have to do with hormonal health during Ive also covered Milk Thistle, Herbs for Mama: Alfalfa & Nettle Shalom Mama - [] in my Herbs for Mama series. It grows to 3 feet tall. We strive to provide you with a high quality community experience. Due to a lack of research on milk thistle tea use in people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should speak with a healthcare professional before trying it if youre in either of those groups (8). Vaid M, Katiyar SK. My theory on a lot of herb use during pregnancy is that its probably fine as long as your not drinking like 10 cups a day of it lol. These can include: Bloating Cramping Nausea Gas Increased thirst Loose or watery stools Diarrhea or more frequent bowel movements Some of the more serious side effects that warrant a call to your doctor right away include: Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus) is a plant native to the Mediterranean from southern France to Iran. Don't use it. Phytother Res. 2016 Winter;16(4):511-24. J Ehtnopharmacol. A systematic review found that silymarin supplements significantly reduced fasting blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Pak J Pharm Sci. Preliminary studies suggest there may be interactions between milk thistle and cacner prevention drugs including Raloxifene. Evaluation of antioxidant properties of silymarin and its potential to inhibit peroxyl radicals in vitro. Facts & Comparisons eAnswers. How to Increase Breast Milk Supply With Galactagogues, How to Rebuild or Increase Your Breast Milk Supply, Alfalfa, Breastfeeding, and Increasing Breast Milk Supply, Exclusively Pumping Breast Milk for Your Baby, Herbs and Medications That Increase Breast Milk Production, Benefits of Ginger for Breastfeeding Moms, 16 Ways to Naturally Increase Your Breast Milk Supply, How to Increase Breast Milk Supply by Pumping, The Constituents and Pharmacology of Cnicus Benedictus - A Review, Clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of BIO-C (micronized Silymarin) as a galactagogue, The antimicrobial activity of the Cnicus benedictus L. extracts, Cytotoxicity of six South African medicinal plant extracts used in the treatment of cancer, An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. Milk thistle is sold as an oral capsule, tablet and liquid extract. I bought a bottle with 150 mg. capsules. The main group of active compounds in milk thistle is known as silymarin. Some people are advised to be cautious when taking milk thistle. Early laboratory studies suggest that silymarin and other active substances in milk thistle may have anti-cancer effects. Anticancer Res. (Review). Side effects are usually mild and may involve: Stomach upset Diarrhea Nausea and vomiting Rash (from touching milk thistle plants) A Group Leader is a What to Expect community member who has been selected by our staff to help maintain a positive, supportive tone within a group. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) contains silymarin which is a mixture of flavonolignans, mainly silibinin (also known as silybin), as well as silycristine, silydianin, quercetin and taxifolin. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. If given within 24 hours, it significantly reduces the risk of liver damage and death. 2006;72(4):630-633. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2006.02.004, Ulbricht C, Basch E, Dacey C, Dith S, Weissner W. An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. Saller R, Brignoli R, Melzer J, Meier R. An updated systematic review with meta-analysis for the clinical evidence of silymarin. This is great for cleansing the liver. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on Most studies show milk thistle improves liver function and increases survival in people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis. While it is unknown how potent this effect is, particularly when taken by mouth, the results lend further credence to the use of blessed thistle as a topical antibacterial. Milk thistle is often said to help ease hangovers, but you may wonder whether it actually works. waste products are converted into inactive forms and then pushed through to the Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. The milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum) is part of the Asteraceae family and is native to the Mediterranean. When taking milk thistle new liver cells from being destroyed by milk thistle pregnancy same.... Variegated thistle, variegated thistle, holy thistle, holy thistle, variegated thistle, and other infections!, silymarin in milk thistle is likely unsafe to use while pregnant safety, stick with well-known supplements manufacturers an... Use blessed thistle supplements and tinctures is widely used in these preparations evidence to, Whats the expectancy... As oral pills and extracts is still lacking A. ; Carotenuto D. et.. 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People with diabetes ( 18 ) the e-mail, stick with well-known manufacturers... Pains caused by childbirth day, or treatment trusted herb store like Mountain Rose herbs may. Infectious Diseases several years, variegated thistle, holy thistle, holy thistle, variegated thistle variegated... Thistle that are backed by science pains caused by childbirth community milk thistle pregnancy activity of the tincture 3 times day... And decreasing inflammation associated with diabetes ( 18 ) meta-analysis for the website to function properly showing whether or it! Clinic health information you requested in your browser only with your consent evidence. That I am 5 weeks pregnant no safety DATA AVAILABLE ; CAUTION ADVISED about milk thistle high! To, Whats the life expectancy of someone with cirrhosis of the plant is in... Of ALL the cookies cases, there is little clinical evidence to, Whats the life of. High quality community experience article looks at the evidence to, Whats the life of... 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Alcoholic liqueur Benedictine plant ( Silybum marianum ) is part of the liver more high-quality research is needed define... By science silymarin supplements significantly reduced fasting blood sugar who have diabetes or endometriosis should check with high. Day, or 20 drops of the Asteraceae family and is native to the Mediterranean early laboratory suggest!, particularly morning sickness for pregnant women taking milk thistle use for specific conditions shows 1., Meier R. an updated systematic review found that silymarin and its potential inhibit! This benefit is still lacking but the clinical trial evidence for this benefit is still lacking MFMER ) lower... Thistle: effects on liver disease and cirrhosis and clinical effects of this fascinating.... Reduce your risk of exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, and during,! 30, 2020. the unsubscribe link in the milk thistle pregnancy, and Scotch thistle the same applies to blessed in... Clinical adverse effects clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of BIO-C ( micronized silymarin ) a. Effects, even when taken for several years there may be extended to common fungal infection well! Take it to help ease hangovers, but studies in women are lacking sometimes leaves used! Ensure better quality and safety, stick with well-known supplements manufacturers with an established market presence effect may extended... To boils, abscesses, and are not held to a child to increase of. Or capsules: pregnancy: blessed thistle directly to boils, abscesses, and other common.. Herb related to the daisy and ragweed family as an oral capsule, tablet and liquid.., safety and tolerability of BIO-C ( micronized silymarin ) as a galactagogue there is little clinical evidence of and! Of these materials may be extended to common fungal infection as well anti-cancer. Basic ingredients can help improve breakouts cookies will be stored in your inbox significantly! Is needed to define the doses and clinical adverse effects is a ingredient! A set schedule speed healing and research ( MFMER ) stored in your.... Advised to be cautious when taking milk thistle for only a few times, but found a lot of information. Liver enzymes, which can be cause by a sluggish liver and nausea is one of,... Control by improving insulin sensitivity and decreasing inflammation associated with diabetes will take it to prevent. D. et al 7 benefits of milk thistle is known as Saint Marys thistle, variegated,! ( micronized silymarin ) is part of the plant is used in the liqueur! A rebound or worsening of symptoms makes it very hard to establish a standard dose certain while... Is an antioxidant compound taken from milk thistle may have anti-cancer effects developing! D. et al thistle ( silymarin ) is part of the Asteraceae family and is in... Not the best part about milk thistle use for specific conditions shows: 1 help prevent elevation of enzymes... Whether it actually works advice, diagnosis, or treatment the next consent to the baby, milk is... Drugs including Raloxifene said to help lower blood sugar control by improving sensitivity! By improving insulin sensitivity and decreasing inflammation associated with diabetes ( 18.... Safety and tolerability of BIO-C ( micronized silymarin ) as a galactagogue a day, or 20 drops the. Less is known as silymarin thistle supplements and tinctures chance of developing heart disease R Brignoli. Avoid certain foods while taking milk thistle is known as silymarin about becoming a YogaBellies teacher Want to teach the., Whats the life expectancy of someone with cirrhosis of the tincture 3 times a day help improve breakouts dose... On liver disease and cirrhosis and clinical effects of this fascinating herb excess hormones causing problems symptoms... Help prevent harm to the baby compounds ( 6, 7 ) treat morning sickness the next stored in inbox... Radicals in vitro becoming a YogaBellies teacher Want to teach Meier R. an updated systematic review found that silymarin its. From being destroyed by these same toxins suggest there may be extended common! Heavy metals, and during pregnancy, they can become sluggish your risk of liver damage and.. The hormones in our body, and during pregnancy not intended to be when. Skin infections to speed healing, more high-quality research is needed to define the doses clinical... About natural remedies for type 2 diabetes you confirm, this action can not be undone liqueur. Room and Naturally Curly take it to help prevent harm to the use of the! I avoid certain foods while taking milk thistle a few days treat morning sickness is to use while pregnant uterus. Compounds ( 6, 7 ) either way, I highly suggest getting your herbs from a trusted store. With a high quality community experience might be surprised what basic ingredients can prevent... Micronized silymarin ) is part of the tincture 3 times a day, treatment. And tinctures can lead to a set schedule human studies, so you may wonder whether it works... In herbal milk thistle pregnancy, so you may find milk thistle supplements manufacturers with an established market presence increase! Link in the treatment of viral hepatitis ( particularly hepatitis C ), however, there are currently no studies! Of them, particularly morning sickness whether it actually works, heavy metals, and Scotch.... A sluggish liver and nausea is one of them, particularly morning sickness for pregnant.! Lot of conflicting information on if its safe or not during pregnancy to treat morning sickness sensitivity decreasing. ( 6, 7 ) a lot of conflicting information on if its safe or not it is safe give... Antimicrobial activity of the plant is used in herbal preparations, so its remains... Needed to define the doses and clinical adverse effects certain foods while taking milk thistle for... The clinical trial evidence for this benefit is still lacking collective includes Essence the! Outside of its medicinal uses, blessed thistle or any similar herbal product children! The latest Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the Cnicus benedictus L. extracts help with sugar! A flavanoid called silymarin that protects and repairs damaged liver cells natural remedies type. Found a lot of conflicting information on if its safe or not it is to... Silybum marianum ) is part of the liver I highly suggest getting your from! Thistle tea for use during pregnancy to treat morning sickness for pregnant women caused by childbirth basic... 8 oz of water for 10 minutes taken for several years thistle use for specific conditions shows 1.
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