Drs. A 2012 study found that silymarin helped to protect against inflammation in the airways of mice with allergic asthma. She was awarded the Presidents Award at the 47th Annual National Conference of the Indian Dietetic Association, 2014. Although there is no documented evidence of a milk thistle overdose, that does not mean it is impossible. Milk thistle is native to the Mediterranean region. For this reason, it is important to buy milk thistle from reputable retailers. Deng JW, Shon JH, Shin HJ, et al. Effects of vitamin E on chronic hepatitis C genotype 3: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Doctors mainly use the plant to treat liver problems, but some people claim it can lower cholesterol and help manage type 2 diabetes. This stout thistle usually grows in dry, sunny areas. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease where the immune system overreacts to environmental triggers, leading to inflammation in the airways. Herbal product use by persons enrolled in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment Against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) Trial. Milk thistle. Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. A 2016 study in mice found milk thistle extract helped to reduce insulin resistance, which is a problem for people with type 2 diabetes. StyleCraze provides content of general nature that is designed for informational purposes only. Dosage: How Much Milk Thistle Should I Take? Consult with your healthcare provider if you experience these and other side effects to find out the best way to proceed. Toxicity is also possible if too much milk thistle is taken. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. A 2020 narrative review detailing silymarin's potential uses for the liver noted its antioxidant-like effects in people with cirrhosis. anti-tuberculosis drugs, as well as one of the important factors leading to poor prognosis of tuberculosis. Some of the studies have been of poor quality, too. Silymarin, found in milk thistle seeds, is a mixture that contains compounds, such as silybin, isosilybin . The common name, milk thistle, is derived from the "milky white" veins on the leaves, which, when broken open, yield a milky sap. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Click here for additional information. So, consult a doctor to understand about its long term usage. Further, while liver-related mortality was significantly reduced by milk thistle, this was not seen in any of the high-quality trials. Available evidence suggests that milk thistle has a modest effect on P-gp, at most. (silymarin) extract supplementation on antioxidant status and hs-CRP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. World J Gastroenterol. That means the amount of active ingredients advertised on the label may not necessarily match the amount actually found in each dose. A look at the apple cider vinegar detox, which is a popular cleansing diet. Others may find them inefficient, while some people swear by them. More research is necessary to understand any potential benefits and risks of milk thistle for people with a breast cancer diagnosis. Milk thistle may help to stop the spread of certain types of cancer. Certain drugs are broken down in the liver, and milk thistle might decrease how quickly this happens (11). This is not a complete list of possible side effects. But it may be a helpful complementary treatment to try if a healthcare professional approves it. Liver toxicity has been observed at very high doses (10 to 20 grams per day) of silybin, an active compound of milk thistle. More study is needed to confirm this. Included is detail on scientific studies and the potential adverse effects. There are also claims that milk thistle can change the way your liver metabolizes certain drugs, like blood thinners, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory medications. Effects of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. Taking milk thistle along with certain drugs and medications may cause minor interactions. Moderately clinically significant. In clinical trials, milk thistle appears to be well tolerated in recommended doses. Before taking milk thistle, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies; or if you have any other allergies. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a herb loaded with antioxidants and is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. The review went on to say that silymarin may be linked to lower rates of mortality in patients with cirrhosis and liver disease. 7 herbs and supplements for type 2 diabetes, Do liver cleanses work? Milk thistle (silymarin) is a flowering herb related to the daisy and ragweed family. However, consult your doctor for the best advice. Milk thistle is often combined with other ingredients to make supplements. Therefore, it is not known whether milk thistle or silymarin should be used to treat cirrhosis. hepatitis. Hepatology. Eur Endocrinol. However, more direct research is warranted in this regard. He has been in the digital media field for over eight years. According to the NIH, milk thistle supplements appear to have very few side effects. However, many of these potential benefits are not backed by science. Because milk thistle is a supplement, the FDA does not regulate it in the same way as it regulates drugs. The leaves are wide with white blotches or veins. What Is Complementary, Alternative, or Integrative Health? Milk Thistle Constituents Inhibit Raloxifene Intestinal Glucuronidation: A Potential Clinically Relevant Natural ProductDrug Interaction, Drug Metabolism and Disposition, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. Milk thistle is sold as an oral capsule, tablet and liquid extract. A systematic review (summary of medical literature on a specific topic) conducted in 2016 further concluded that using silymarin regularly may reduce fasting blood glucose and HbA1C levels, two important factors in diabetes management. Minimally clinically significant. Another study, however, found milk thistle to have no effect on digoxin pharmacokinetics, suggesting a lack of effect on P-gp. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Some such drugs may include (12): Since milk thistle affects how well the liver breaks down these medications, it can affect how well these medications can work. Milk thistle ( Silybum marianum ) is a flowering herb native to Europe but also found in parts of the United States, Australia, Asia, Africa, and South America. This suggests milk thistle may be beneficial for those looking to lose weight. Milk thistle may interfere with the following medications, because both milk thistle and these medications are broken down by the same liver enzymes: Allergy drugs -- such as fexofenadine (Allegra) Drugs for high cholesterol -- such as lovastatin (Mevacor, Altocor) Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Researchers have found benefits for several types of cancer, including: Several small studies have also found that milk thistle may decrease the side effects of cancer treatments, including radiation, surgery, and chemotherapy. Milk thistle Interactions There are 4 drugs known to interact with milk thistle . Medications known to interact with milk thistle Note: Showing generic names only. Learn, Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. Clinical practice shows that milk thistle has a good anti-liver injury effect and can be used to prevent anti-tuberculosis drug-induced liver injury. Other potential benefits include . The extract of the seeds of milk thistle contains a number of substances, collectively called silymarin. Achufusi TGO, Patel RK. Rev Diabet Stud. Over-indulging in this powerful herb may do you more harm than you know. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product. Milk thistle may help strengthen a persons immune response. It does not appear to have much effect on most CYP450 isozymes, although a small effect on CYP2C9 is possible (based on inhibition of losartan metabolism). Researchers must carry out further studies on humans to identify what benefits a person can expect from applying milk thistle to their skin. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Milk thistle is known to have several estrogen-like properties, and certain sources state that it may aggravate a few health conditions (like endometriosis, where the endometrial tissue appears outside the uterus and causes pain) sensitive to estrogen (4). Researchers found silymarin stimulated the immune system. The study looked specifically at bone loss caused by a deficiency in estrogen among rats that had their ovaries removed. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Lifestyle measures and some medications can slow the progress of diabetes. When choosing a new supplement, it is vital that you carefully read the label's ingredient list and nutrition facts panel to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking milk thistle: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. JAMA. Some people may be allergic to milk thistle. These results are consistent with other evidence suggesting that milk thistle has no effect on the pharmacokinetics of nifedipine, irinotecan, or indinavir.3 Because a majority of the drugs in use today are substrates for one or more of these 4 isozymes, this is good news. It may help treat diabetes, increase breast milk production, and improve liver functioning. For an electronic version of this article, including references, if any, visit www.hanstenandhorn.com. Steep milk thistle tea bags or loose-leaf milk thistle tea in hot water. When possible, choose a supplement that has been tested by a trusted third party, such as USP, ConsumerLabs, or NSF. 2018;9:1903. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.01903. When looking at Milk Thistle itself (prior to any extraction), the fruits or thistles contain: Silymarin at 1.5-3% of dry weight (to be elucidated later) [2] Silyhermin and both Neosilyhermin A and B [2]; Protein and Mucilage (taking up 25-30% of the herb by dry weight) [2] Quercetin and the dihydro varient known as Taxifolin [2]; Kaempferol, Dihydrokaempferol, and the 7-glucoside and 3 . Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Fitness vs. *. Can you drink alcohol while taking milk thistle? Milk thistle is native to Europe and was introduced into North America by early colonists. Milk thistle is found throughout the eastern United States, California, South America, Africa, Australia, and Asia. Taking too much milk thistle may increase the likelihood of side effects. Effect of silymarin (milk thistle) on liver disease in patients with chronic hepatitis C unsuccessfully treated with interferon therapy: a randomized controlled trial. Milk thistle had no effect on any of the drugs. This herb is native to Southern Europe and is used widely for its benefits. Milk thistle may lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. You might also get the herb at your nearest supermarket/pharmacy. Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Milk thistle is found throughout the eastern United States, California, South America, Africa, Australia, and Asia. Cymbalta side effects (more detail) Accessed at naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com on April 1, 2020. Of the total drug interactions, 3 are moderate, and 1 is minor. If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. nausea, loss of appetite. Although milk thistle may be helpful in hepatitis C, more research is needed to support these claims. It is now found throughout the world. It could help the body fight off infection as well as reduce chronic inflammation produced by the immune system. Consult your doctor before using this product. To ensure the quality of milk thistle products, check for certifications from independent third-party testing labs. The potential uses of milk thistle may be due to silymarin, an active ingredient found in the herb that is said to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Common side effects of milk thistle reported in studies include: Typically, side effects will subside once you stop using milk thistle. The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or referrals to practitioners. Dupuis ML, Conti F, Maselli A, et al. Fried MW, Navarro VJ, Afdhal N, et al. Phytother Res. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. However, there are a few side effects of milk thistle associated with its overconsumption. If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this product: conditions that are affected by estrogen (such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, cancer of the breast/uterus/ovary). Find out more. Another 2020 review of research on milk thistle concluded the compound silymarin appears to be a promising substance for the treatment of insulin resistance, including in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes. Take your next dose at the regular time. The following conditions are contraindicated with this drug. Scan J Gastroenterol. Merlin Annie Raj is a Registered Dietitian based out of Hyderabad, India. Could a monthly antibody injection be a promising endometriosis treatment? Calm an upset stomach. Certain reports also state that milk thistle can cause skin rashes and hives (3). Some people claim it can help to treat: Other potential benefits include protecting heart health by lowering cholesterol levels and helping people manage type 2 diabetes. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Loguercio C, Festi D. Silybin and the liver: from basic research to clinical practice. Milk thistle purportedly has hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Milk Thistle; Silybum marianum; St. Mary's Thistle. Milk thistle contains a chemical called silymarin, which can decrease blood sugar levels (10). But are there any proven health benefits of it? Medical research on milk thistle and liver health has led to mixed results. 2011;17(18):2288-2301. doi:10.3748/wjg.v17.i18.2288. Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Some of these estrogen pills may include equine estrogens, ethinyl estradiol, estradiol, etc (6), (7), (8). In a pharmacokinetic study, 9 healthy subjects were given 4 probe drugscaffeine, tolbutamide, dextromethorphan, and midazolam— to test for the effect of milk thistle on CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4.2 The drugs were given before and after the subjects received a standardized milk thistle extract 3 times daily for 14 days. 1997-. It needs more research to determine how milk thistle may help to fight cancer. He has written over 300 articles about ingredients and their benefits for the skin, hair, and health. Inhibition of glucuronidation by milk thistle may be the most likely mechanism for clinically important drug interactions, but supporting clinical data are needed before specific action can be recommended. 2015;22(2):290-296. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2014.12.010. All rights reserved. After fleeing from Egypt with baby Jesus, she nursed him under a grove of thistles. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission Heres our process. The most common use of milk thistle is for liver problems. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a herbal product widely used in the United States and around the world. In: StatPearls. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a flowering herb native to Europe but also found in parts of the United States, Australia, Asia, Africa, and South America. We recommend reserving action for when interactions are based only on in vitro studies. It's commonly used to detoxify the body and promote liver and gallbladder health. Limited laboratory research suggests that the compound silibinin in milk thistle may help to prevent breast cancer, according to the NIH. J Diabetes Res. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. 2005;100(11):2583-91. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2005.00262.x. Milk thistle for alcoholic and/or hepatitis B or C liver diseases--a systematic Cochrane hepato-biliary group review with meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. Its not known whether milk thistle is helpful for other conditions. Evidence and risks, Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, protecting the liver, immune system, and kidneys, providing antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties, reducing the risk of diabetes, arthritis, and obesity. Little is known about whether its safe to use milk thistle during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. To avoid complications, be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any supplements you take. 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Advertised on the label may not necessarily match the amount actually found in each.. Few side effects ( more detail ) Accessed at naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com on April 1, 2020 liver-related mortality was significantly by! In clinical trials, milk thistle associated with its overconsumption liver cleanses work, call 911.,. With other ingredients to make supplements has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble,.