Milk thistle may trigger a number of side effects, including headache, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and gas. Less commonly, muscle aches, joint pain, and sexual dysfunction have been reported. Allergic reactions are also possible. People with allergies to ragweed, daisies, artichokes, kiwi, or plants in the aster family may also be allergic to milk thistle.
On rare occasion, milk thistle can cause a potentially life-threatening, all-body allergy known as anaphylaxis. Call or seek emergency care if you experience shortness of breath, rash, hives, rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness, or swelling of the face, tongue, or neck after taking milk thistle.
If left untreated, anaphylaxis can lead to shock, coma, cardiac or respiratory failure, or death. Milk thistle may reduce your blood sugar, so it needs to be used with caution as it may trigger hypoglycemia low blood sugar in people on diabetes medications. Milk thistle can change the way that your body metabolizes certain drugs in the liver, triggering interactions with:.
Other interactions are possible. To avoid complications, always advise your healthcare provider about any supplements or herbal remedies you are taking. There are no guidelines directing the appropriate use of milk thistle.
Milk thistle supplements are commonly sold as in capsule form but are also available as tablets, tea bags, and oral tinctures. Doses range from milligrams to 1, milligrams. Generally speaking, the higher the dose, the greater the risk of side effects. Combination remedies such as Iberogast drops used to treat dyspepsia and Barberol tablets formulated for diabetics are considered effective with milk thistle doses of 10 milligrams and milligrams, respectively. Higher doses don't necessarily correspond to better results.
Dietary supplements containing milk thistle are sold in natural foods stores, drugstores, and stores specializing in herbal products. You can also purchase milk thistle products online. Dietary supplements in the United States do not need to undergo the rigorous testing and research and testing that pharmaceutical drugs do.
Because of this, the quality can vary from one supplement to the next. To ensure quality and safety, choose products that have undergone testing and certification by an independent certifying body like the U. As an added layer of safety, opt for brands that have been certified organic under the regulations of the U.
Be wary of dried whole milk thistle or milk thistle seeds, both of which are vulnerable to fungal contamination, according to research published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology. By contrast, fungal contamination is rare in milk thistle tea bags, extracts, capsules, tablets, and soft gels. Yes, you can grow your own milk thistle. Milk thistle is a hardy plant that grows well in most environments, although it prefers high temperatures and dry conditions.
The soil also needs to be well drained. Silymarin is a compound from milk thistle seeds that is said to offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. One study on silymarin found that it interfered with the accumulation of liver fat, which means it could aid in the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Possible side effects of milk thistle can include headache, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and gas. Some reports have mentioned muscle aches, joint pain, and sexual dysfunction as well. Milk thistle can also cause an allergic reaction in some people. If you have an allergy to ragweed, daisies, artichokes, kiwi, or plants in the aster family, it might be smart to avoid milk thistle. Yes, milk thistle supplements can come in the form of tea bags to brew your own tea.
The supplement is also sold as a tablet, capsule, and oral tincture. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Milk Thistle. Updated September Milk thistle in liver diseases: past, present, future.
Phytother Res. It may not be safe to forgo your conventional medical treatment and rely only on a natural health product.
This is especially important for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. When using natural health products, keep in mind the following:. Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Learn how we develop our content. To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Top of the page. Topic Overview What is milk thistle? What is milk thistle used for? When using natural health products, keep in mind the following: Like conventional medicines, natural health products may cause side effects, trigger allergic reactions, or interact with prescription and non-prescription medicines or other natural health products you might be taking.
A side effect or interaction with another medicine or natural product may make other health conditions worse. From absorbing nutrients to detoxifying the body, humans depend heavily on this vital organ. Everything consumed passes through the liver. This includes alcohol, prescription drugs, pesticides, processed foods, and heavy metals found in water.
These factors mean the liver works harder than ever before. The liver works in two detoxifying stages. The first stage transforms enzymes passing through into free radicals. Then the antioxidant glutathione attaches to the free radicals. This helps the body remove dangerous compounds naturally. Silymarin helps regenerate and maintain high levels of glutathione. This, in turn, helps detox the liver itself.
Diseases including hepatitis, psoriasis, and jaundice, have been linked to liver damage. Studies show a silymarin extract helps treat conditions like hepatitis C. Silymarin helps protein synthesis and creates a protective layer on cells to prevent future damage.
Similar research revealed pre-treatment with silymarin prevented liver damage by several harmful toxins. Milk thistle helps stop oxidative stress and free radical damage in the liver. Research shows milk thistle restores damaged cells.
Silymarin also protects the liver against damage from alcohol and some prescription drugs.
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