Milk Thistle: Everything You Need to Know About Its Benefits and Uses

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum), also known as "wild artichoke," is a herbaceous plant that has been used since ancient Greece, particularly for its therapeutic effects on digestion and the liver. Indeed, like the artichoke, it relieves digestive disorders linked to insufficient bile production. This plant, commonly found in the Mediterranean basin and North America, can grow up to 1.50 meters tall. It is recognisable by its spiny, white-marbled leaves and its vibrant pink flowers. Let’s explore the benefits of milk thistle and how to use it. 

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What are the benefits of milk thistle?

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is used in herbal medicine, particularly to stimulate bile production by the liver. Its fruits, the achenes, are composed of flavonolignans (the major active ingredient is silymarin), flavonoids, and phenolic derivatives. Silymarin is a complex of flavonoids consisting of silychristin, silybin, and silydianin, which modifies the membrane of liver cells. These cells then become impermeable to absorbed toxins such as alcohol, "toxic" foods, or medications. 

The properties of milk thistle

Milk thistle has numerous benefits for the body, as highlighted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): 

  1. Liver protection: It contains a group of active compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus, it helps protect liver cells from damage caused by alcohol, medications, and other factors.

  2. Liver detoxification : Similarly, milk thistle (Silybum marianum) stimulates the production of glutathione, a powerful natural antioxidant in the liver, for complete detoxification. 

  3. Support for liver problems : Some studies suggest that milk thistle may help with certain liver conditions, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

  4. Anti-inflammatory: Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce inflammation in the liver.

  5. Antioxidant: It acts as a general antioxidant, helping to protect the body’s cells from oxidative damage.

  6. Cholesterol: It may also lower blood cholesterol levels.

  7. Digestive comfort: It is also believed to have beneficial therapeutic effects on digestive comfort, particularly by soothing digestive disorders of hepatic and biliary origin.

Is milk thistle good for the liver?

The presence of silymarin in milk thistle plays a crucial role in stimulating liver regeneration by promoting the synthesis of repair enzymes. As a result, this plant acts as a powerful antioxidant, helping to protect liver cells from oxidative damage. 

Chemotherapy

In some cases, milk thistle is used to prevent side effects associated with chemotherapy. However, it is important to seek medical advice before using it for this purpose, since, according to the Cancer Foundation, it may also reduce the effectiveness of certain conventional treatments, primarily due to its antioxidant effect.

How should milk thistle be taken?

Milk thistle is available in various forms: as a dietary supplement capsule, an herbal tea, vegetable oil, and more. When taking a course of supplements, it is recommended to follow the dosages listed on the packaging. 

Milk thistle tea is made from dried seeds. Steep them in a cup of hot water for about 10 to 15 minutes. Do not exceed three cups per day.  

The benefits of the oil

When cold-pressed, milk thistle seeds produce a vegetable oil with numerous benefits. 

  1. Antioxidant: rich in vitamin E (50 mg per 100 g) and sterols (500 mg per 100 g), it helps combat free radicals in the body. Additionally, the essential fatty acids it contains help combat the signs of skin aging. 

  2. Softening and nourishing: Milk thistle oil contains omega-6 fatty acids that regenerate the skin’s hydrolipidic film. As a result, the skin becomes softer and more elastic. 

  3. Regenerating and restructuring: The essential fatty acids found in this oil—which the body cannot synthesise on its own—contribute to cell reconstruction and skin recovery.

  4. Liver-protective: Just like the plant, milk thistle oil acts on the liver, detoxifying it and aiding in its regeneration. 

When should you take a milk thistle regimen?

A milk thistle regimen may be considered when you need liver support to detoxify the body (following excessive eating or alcohol consumption, such as after the holidays) or in cases of mild liver issues. A course of treatment can also be taken periodically as a preventive measure. Before starting, you should consult a healthcare professional to determine the appropriate duration and dosage based on your needs. 

How long does a milk thistle treatment last?

Depending on your needs, a milk thistle treatment course lasts between 15 and 30 days.

Side effects and contraindications

What are the side effects of milk thistle?

Some users have reported mild side effects, primarily gastrointestinal in nature. Issues such as mild stomach upset or temporary diarrhea may occur. It is important to note that these reactions are generally temporary and resolve on their own.

Breastfeeding

Although milk thistle has historically been used to promote milk production, the World Health Organization recommends that pregnant and breastfeeding women avoid milk thistle products.

Contraindications

  • Allergies to Asteraceae: People allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family, to which milk thistle belongs, should avoid using it. These allergies can trigger adverse reactions, so it is essential to check for a history of allergies before starting any treatment.

  • Bile duct obstruction: Milk thistle is not recommended for people experiencing an acute episode of bile duct obstruction. Its effects on the liver and bile ducts could worsen this condition, and it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional before use.

Spotlight on our writer: Lauréna Valette

Lauréna is a journalist and editor specialising in lifestyle, wellness and psychology. Between writing articles, she travels around the world, discovering what it has to teach us.

Published on November 14, 2023.

Photo credit: Anastasia R. on Unsplash

Bibliography

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Milk Thistle

https://www.cancer.be/complementsalimentaires/chardon-marie

2

Silybum marianum: Beyond Liver Protection

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/2156587215571116

3

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) for the treatment of liver disease

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0002927097000828

4

Silymarin, the antioxidant component, and Silybum marianum extracts prevent liver damage

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691509005936