Milk thistle is an ancient herb with as many nicknames as uses. Perhaps you are familiar with its botanical name, Silybum marianum. It also is known as Marian, St. Mary's, Our Lady's Thistle or more commonly, as its key constituent, silymarin.

Since the 15th century, this herb has been used to treat gall stones, liver, spleen and gallbladder disorders, indigestion, coughs, varicose veins and much more. Today, however, milk thistle is best known as a prime component in the natural treatment of liver and gallbladder disorders.

David Hoffmann, author of An Elder's Herbal, asserts that milk thistle is "possibly the most important herb for treating and preventing liver damage due to toxins or liver disease." It has been applied in this regard for years, and Hoffmann points out that research now supports this traditional use, showing that it contains constituents that protect liver cells from chemical damage. 

Milk thistle's therapeutic effects are attributed to substances known as flavonids. The most potent flavonoids, says Daniel Mowrey, Ph.D. in Herbal Tonic Therapies, is a group collectively known as silymarin. He contends that "its amazing properties continue to astound the scientific world." Also, he says, the best milk thistle contains a standardized amount of silymarin. 

Varro E. Tyler, Ph.D., explains in his book, The Honest Herbal, that studies in small animals have shown that silymarin displays a protective effect for the liver against a variety of toxins. Research on humans also has been "encouraging" for several ailments, including hepatitis and cirrhosis of various origins, he says.

Numerous studies, he continues, have suggested that silymarin "has considerable therapeutic potential, protecting intact liver cells or cells not yet irreversibly damaged by acting on the cell membranes to prevent the entry of toxic substances."

It also has been shown to stimulate protein synthesis, Tyler says, so it works to accelerate the regeneration process and the production of liver cells. He adds that this positive information led German health authorities to endorse the use of this herb as a "supportive treatment for inflammatory liver conditions and cirrhosis."
 
Earl Mindell, in Earl Mindell's Herb Bible explains the function of the liver, an organ that plays a critical role in maintaining good health. "It produces bile, which is necessary for the breakdown of fats," he says. It also detoxifies "poisons" that can enter the bloodstream, such as nicotine, alcohol, and pollutants such as carbon monoxide, by breaking them down so they are less destructive to the body. The liver also is the storage site for vitamins such as A, D, E, and K, he adds, so optimal function is important. And milk thistle has been shown, Mindell points out, in numerous European studies to enhance overall liver function.

Aside from its helping to promote the flow of bile, milk thistle helps to tone the spleen, gallbladder and liver, says Elizabeth Lipski, M.S., C.N.N. in Digestive Wellness. "An excellent detoxifier, milk thistle also has been shown to have a positive effect on psoriasis," she adds. Lipski recommends a dosage of three to six capsules of 175 mg standardized 80% milk thistle extract daily with water before meals.

Nancy Beckham, author of Family Guide to Natural Therapies, points out that extracts and tinctures of milk thistle are available, but that they are preserved with alcohol. She recommends tablet to powder forms for the treatment of liver problems. When a powdered form is used, she advises 10 grams of powdered seeds simmered in three glasses of water, taken throughout the day, combined with a dessertspoon full of apple cider with vinegar or lemon juice. For palatability, she suggests flavoring the mixture with pear or apple juice.
 
Tyler points out, however, that silymarin is poorly soluble in water, so a tea form of the tea is not effective. He adds that it also is poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, so oral use requires a concentrated product. A food supplement in capsule form delivering 200 mg of a concentrated extract representing 140mg of silymarin may be most effective, he says.

The herb has shown no toxicity in animal studies, Mowrey says, and testing in humans "showed that high doses of milk thistle extract were well tolerated both subjectively and in view of objective measurement." He warns, however, that a few people may experience minor gastrointestinal discomfort upon first taking the herb, as it stimulates a cleansing action. 

Mindell recommends milk thistle for people suffering from hepatitis or inflammation of the liver, cirrhosis of the liver, as well as for smokers or others who are exposed to pollutants in the workplace. 

Reference: