Ciulin

Milk thistle is available in a variety of pharmaceutical and food forms, designed to meet the needs of different user groups. The most common are capsules and tablets containing milk thistle seed powder or standardised extract, with varying concentrations of silymarin. 

Milk thistle is also available as milk thistle tea or cold-pressed oil, which can be used in cooking, for example to dress salads.

Manufacturers: Swanson, NOW Foods, Natur Planet, PharmoVit, Doctor Life, etc.

Milk thistle supplements are recommended to support liver detoxification and maintain normal liver function. 

They can be used as an adjunct during periods of liver overload, associated with an unbalanced diet, alcohol consumption, exposure to pollutants or the administration of drugs metabolised by the liver.

Milk thistle for the liver helps to stimulate the body’s antioxidant activity, promote the synthesis of glutathione – the body’s main endogenous antioxidant – and support digestion. 

The dosage varies depending on the form of the product and the concentration of active ingredients. 

For capsule supplements, the usual recommendation is 1 capsule two or three times a day, taken with water, preferably with meals.

For concentrated formulas containing standardised silymarin extract, the dosage can be reduced to one capsule per day, thanks to the high content of active ingredients. Milk thistle oil can be consumed as is, in small quantities, according to the manufacturer’s instructions, or used for external application. 

Milk thistle is generally well tolerated, but is contraindicated for people with known hypersensitivity to plants of the Asteraceae family. Its use is not recommended for children and adolescents, as there is insufficient data on safety.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as people with severe liver, biliary or endocrine disorders, should only use milk thistle-based products on medical advice.

Milk thistle supplements are intended exclusively for adults and must not replace prescribed medication for diagnosed liver conditions. 

As these are herbal supplements, there may be natural variations in colour and flavour, without this affecting the quality of the product. 

Adverse reactions are rare and, as a rule, mild. Minor digestive disturbances, such as bloating or abdominal discomfort, may occur, particularly at high doses. Allergic reactions are possible, though rare, and may manifest as skin rashes or itching.

If any unusual symptoms occur, stop taking the product and consult a doctor.

Milk thistle may affect the activity of liver enzymes involved in the metabolism of certain medicines. Caution is therefore advised when taken alongside long-term treatments, particularly with hepatotoxic medicines or those metabolised by the liver.

No significant food interactions are known, and taking it with meals may improve digestive tolerance.

No serious cases of milk thistle overdose have been reported. Taking excessive amounts may exacerbate digestive side effects. Adherence to the doses recommended by the manufacturer or a healthcare professional is sufficient to prevent risks.

Milk thistle products should be stored in a cool, dry place, protected from light and moisture, in their original packaging. Once opened, the bottle must be kept tightly closed. Keep out of reach of children and do not use if the seal is broken.

• NIH, Milk thistle
• PubMed, Silybin, a major bioactive component of milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Gaernt.) — Chemistry, bioavailability and metabolism
• MDPI, Dietary intake of milk thistle seeds as a source of silymarin and its influence on lipid parameters in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• PubMed, Milk thistle for the treatment of liver diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis