Milk thistle Silybum marianum has been used for 2, years as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly liver, kidney, and gall bladder problems. Several scientific studies suggest that substances in milk thistle especially a flavonoid called silymarin protect the liver from toxins, including certain drugs, such as acetaminophen Tylenol , which can cause liver damage in high doses. Silymarin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
And it may help the liver repair itself by growing new cells. Although a number of animal studies demonstrate that milk thistle can be helpful in protecting the liver, results in human studies are mixed.
Milk thistle is often suggested as a treatment for alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis, but scientific studies show mixed results. Most studies show milk thistle improves liver function and increases survival in people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis. But problems in the design of the studies such as small numbers of participants and differences in dosing and duration of milk thistle therapy make it hard to draw any firm conclusions.
Milk thistle is widely used in the treatment of viral hepatitis particularly hepatitis C , however, studies show mixed results. Some studies found improvements in liver function, while others did not.
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. Based on traditional use, milk thistle has been used as an emergency antidote for poisoning by death cap mushroom Amanita phalloides. Animal studies have found that milk thistle extract completely counteracts the toxic effects of the mushroom when given within 10 minutes of ingestion.
If given within 24 hours, it significantly reduces the risk of liver damage and death. Early laboratory studies suggest that silymarin and other active substances in milk thistle may have anti-cancer effects. These substances appear to:. Some studies suggest silymarin may favorably supplement sunscreen protection and may help reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Other studies suggest milk thistle acts synergistically with chemotherapy. More studies are needed to show whether milk thistle has any effects in the body not just in test tubes.
Be sure to inform your doctor if you are taking milk thistle. Preliminary studies suggest there may be interactions between milk thistle and cacner prevention drugs including Raloxifene. Milk thistle is native to the Mediterranean region. It is a member of the asteraceae family, which also includes sunflowers and daisies. It is now found throughout the world. This stout thistle usually grows in dry, sunny areas. Spiny stems branch at the top and reach heights of 5 to 10 feet. The leaves are wide with white blotches or veins.
Milk thistle gets its name from the milky white sap that comes from the leaves when they are crushed. The flowers are red purple. The small, hard-skinned fruit is brown, spotted, and shiny. Milk thistle spreads quickly it is considered a weed in some parts of the world , and it matures in less than a year.
The active ingredient -- the one that protects the liver -- in milk thistle is known as silymarin, a chemical extracted from the seeds.
Silymarin is actually a group of flavonoids silibinin , silidianin , and silicristin , which are thought to help repair liver cells damaged by alcohol and other toxic substances. Silymarin also protects new liver cells from being destroyed by these same toxins.
It reduces inflammation which is why it is often suggested for people with liver inflammation or hepatitis and is a strong antioxidant. Capsules of standardized dried herb each capsule contains about mg to mg of silymarin Liquid extract Tincture Silymarin phosphatidylcholine complex A few studies show that a silymarin-phosphatidylcholine complex may be absorbed more easily than regular standardized milk thistle.
Phosphatidylcholine is a key element in cell membranes. It helps silymarin attach easily to cell membranes, which may keep toxins from getting inside liver cells. People who have alcohol-related liver disease should avoid alcohol extracts. Pediatric There are no studies showing whether or not it is safe to give milk thistle to a child.
Liver problems can be serious and should be diagnosed by a physician. Talk to your child's doctor before giving milk thistle to a child. If you think you have a liver problem, you should see a doctor. Liver disease can be life threatening. The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects, and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care practitioner.
People with a history of hormone-related cancers, including breast, uterine, and prostate cancer, should not take milk thistle. But are there any proven health benefits of milk thistle? The active ingredient in milk thistle is called silymarin. Milk thistle is also known as Mary thistle or holy thistle. It is mainly used to treat liver problems, but some people claim it can lower cholesterol and help manage type 2 diabetes.
This article explores 10 potential milk thistle benefits and examines whether there is any scientific evidence to support its use. It also looks at how to use milk thistle and whether there are any risks to consider. Milk thistle is a flowering plant that comes from the same family of plants as the daisy. It grows in Mediterranean countries and is used to make natural remedies. Different parts of the milk thistle plant may be used to treat various health conditions.
The most common use of milk thistle is for liver problems. Some claim it can help treat:. Other potential health benefits include protecting heart health by lowering cholesterol levels and helping people manage type 2 diabetes. One of the most common uses of milk thistle is to treat liver problems. A study found that milk thistle improved diet-induced liver damage in mice. More evidence is needed to prove that milk thistle benefits human livers in the same way. However, researchers theorize that it does.
The active ingredient in milk thistle, silymarin, acts as an antioxidant by reducing free radical production. Scientists think this creates a detoxifying effect, which is why it is milk thistle may be beneficial for liver problems. Until more research is carried out, however, milk thistle is not recommended as the primary treatment option for liver problems. But it may be a helpful complementary treatment to try. Milk thistle may help to promote healthy skin.
A study found that milk thistle helped improve inflammatory skin conditions when applied to the skin of mice. Milk thistle was also found to have antioxidant and anti-aging effects on human skin cells in a laboratory environment in another study.
Further research on humans is needed to identify what benefits a person can expect from applying milk thistle to their skin. A study suggests milk thistle may play an important role keeping cholesterol levels down. It found that cholesterol levels were lower in people taking milk thistle to treat diabetes than those taking a placebo. Initial animal research conducted in found that silymarin caused weight loss in mice that were fed a diet intended to cause weight gain.
This suggests milk thistle may be beneficial for those looking to lose weight. More research into the effects of milk thistle on weight loss in humans is needed to confirm this, however. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised.
A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Milk thistle. Products and services. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.
Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Milk thistle. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Accessed Oct. IBM Micromedex. Natural Medicines.
0コメント