Asteraceae
Milk Thistle
Silybum marianum
✓ Generally Safe
Consult Doctor
Native to: Mediterranean, Southern Europe
Also known as: Holy Thistle, Lady's Thistle, Variegated Thistle
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA
Parts Used
Seed
Therapeutic Uses
Liver disease (cirrhosis, hepatitis, fatty liver), toxic liver damage (mushroom poisoning antidote), alcohol-related liver damage, gallbladder support. Extensive clinical evidence for liver protection.
Herbal Actions
Hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, galactagogue, cholagogue
Active Constituents
Silymarin complex (silybin, silydianin, silychristin — 70–80% silybin), flavonolignans, fatty acids, tocopherols
Preparation Methods
💊 Capsule🏺 Tincture☕ Herbal Tea
Traditional Preparation Notes
| Herbal Tea | 1 tsp crushed seeds per 250ml, steep 15 min, 3x daily (limited absorption as tea) |
| Tincture | 4–6 ml (1:5, 70% ethanol), 3x daily |
| Notes | Standardized extract (70–80% silymarin): 140–420mg 3x daily is standard clinical dose. Tea has poor bioavailability — capsules preferred. Effects require 3+ months for chronic liver conditions. |
Safety Information
Safety Rating
✓ Generally Safe
Pregnancy
Consult Doctor
Drug Interactions
Possible — consult doctor
Contraindications: Avoid in Asteraceae allergy. May interact with CYP2C9/3A4 substrates. Estrogen-sensitive conditions — use cautiously (mild estrogenic activity).
Side Effects: Mild laxative effect. Rare allergic reaction. Generally one of the safest liver herbs with excellent tolerability.