Experts believe silymarin is the primary active ingredient of the herb. The most studied benefit of milk thistle is its potential to promote liver health. Gastroenterology. Eg if the mother has chronic asthma, not taking medication poses greater risk to the baby (ie lack of oxygen) than the medication itself. All rights reserved. Blessed thistle also exerts a mild diuretic effect and should be used with caution if you are taking a pharmaceutic diuretic ("water pill") like Lasix (furosemide). Antivir Ther. Overall, more high-quality research is needed to define the doses and clinical effects of this fascinating herb. It might be able to fight off bacterial infections in the body, and possibly even be an anti-carcinogen. People who have diabetes or endometriosis should check with a doctor before using milk thistle. However, as this is the only study, more high-quality research is needed. Milk thistle should not be taken during pregnancy in humans, so we would recommend the same in our canine patients avoid its use during pregnancy and lactation. However, many of the studies are small and have methodological flaws, which makes it difficult to give firm guidance on this supplement or confirm its effects (46). 2016;15(12): 2633-40. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Doing so can lead to a rebound or worsening of symptoms. Group Black's collective includes Essence, The Shade Room and Naturally Curly. Milk thistle may also be poorly absorbed in tea form. A systematic review found that silymarin supplements significantly reduced fasting blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Drug Metab Dispos. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects, and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. Blessed thistle might cause an allergic reaction in some people. Milk Thistle has also been found to ease depression and may be a helpful support in preventing the baby blues. If you have breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis or uterine fibroids, consider avoiding milk thistle. Its unclear if milk thistle has the same effects in people without diabetes. My theory on a lot Liver disease can be life threatening. The milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum) is part of the Asteraceae family and is native to the Mediterranean. Generally, its safe to take milk thistle in recommended doses. Most studies show milk thistle improves liver function and increases survival in people with cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis. To be safe, take blessed thistle four hours before or four hours after an antacid dose. Acta Biomed. Sorry, we have no data available. (I took fenugreek, blessed thistle and domperidone, managed to nurse him until 18 months but had to pump relentlessly and POST PARTUM GALLSTONES OR GALLBLADDER ISSUESFirstly I went into this very blindly, not knowing what a gallbladder was or that I had one ( yes I did not do biology in school) Never knew that you can have issues postpartum. Effects of Silybum marianum on serum hepatitis C virus RNA, alanine aminotransferase levels and well-being in patients with chronic hepatitis C. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. Blessed thistle, also known as holy thistle, has been used since the Middle Ages to treat bubonic plague, promote digestive health and prevent infection. Children: Milk thistle is possibly safe when taken by mouth for up to 9 months in children 1 year of age and older. 2009;24(2):395-405. 2006;26(6B):4457-4498. Review. People who have alcohol-related liver disease should avoid alcohol extracts. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. S Afr J Bot. Since milk thistle may lower blood sugar, people with diabetes should check with their doctor before taking the herb as it may make their blood sugar fall too low. It is known to increase circulation and treat hormone imbalance. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Silymarin is an antioxidant compound taken from milk thistle seeds. The purported health benefits of milk thistle are thought to be connected to silymarins antioxidant properties. How much Milk Thistle do you recommend? The seed of the plant is used in herbal preparations, so you may find Milk thistle seed extract or capsules. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Silymarin for HCV infection. The active ingredient -- the one that protects the liver -- in milk thistle is known as silymarin, a chemical extracted from the seeds. By contrast, milk thistle has been shown to be beneficial in promoting lactation in a number of smaller studies, including a 2008 trial from Italy in which the use of S. marianum increased breastmilk production in nursing mothers by 64.43% compared to 22.51% in the placebo group.. The studies have not found any hazardous effects in animals, but studies in women are lacking. Ive had milk thistle a few times, but found a lot of conflicting information on if its safe or not during pregnancy. To ensure better quality and safety, stick with well-known supplements manufacturers with an established market presence. Amyloid plaques are sticky clusters of amyloid proteins that can build up between nerve cells as you age. The main component of this group is called silybin (2). Boston, Massachusetts: Element Publishing. DOI: 10.4314/tjpr.v15i12.14. It may have protective effects on the liver, preventing damage. Since blessed thistle can increase stomach acid, it may interfere with antacids and other heartburn medications (including proton pump inhibitors and H2 blockers). 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. Group Leaders communicate with staff moderators and escalate potential violations for review, but they dont moderate discussions. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Ive also covered Red Raspberry Leaf, Ladys Mantle and Milk Thistle. Silymarin also protects new liver cells from being destroyed by these same toxins. Drug-drug interactions of silymarin on the perspective of pharmacokinetics. How long does it take for blessed thistle to work? Get the facts on milk thistle for the liver. kidneys for excretion. Photo Credit:. If you feel a message or content violates these standards and would like to request its removal please submit the following information and our moderating team will respond shortly. Najm W, Lie D. Dietary supplements commonly used for prevention. There is no standardized dosage or recommended intake for milk thistle tea, but its generally considered safe if consumed in moderation. Milk thistle may help with blood sugar control by improving insulin sensitivity and decreasing inflammation associated with diabetes (18). 2000;(21):1-3. Siegel A, Stebbing J. Jiang C, Agarwal R, Lu J. Anti-angiogenic potential of a cancer chemopreventive flavonoid antioxidant, Silymairn: inhibition of key attributes of vascular endothelial cells and angiogenic cytokine secretion by cancer epithelial cells. Brantley SJ, Oberlies NH, Kroll DJ, Paine MF. All rights reserved. Milk thistle tea is easy to make at home. However, there are no studies on milk thistle tea in particular. The chemist told me it is not safe to take it during pregnancy as blackmores said that it is not safe I wonder if i harm my baby as i have taken milk thistle during conception and for 2005-2023Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. So I started taking dandelion/ milk thistle/nettle capsules and also took a homeopathic remedy, sulfur tablets, and I was amazed, only about a few days, and my horrific rash began to fade and the itching completely subsided. KB says: I had PUPPPs twice. Some studies suggest the plant may help with management and treatment of viral hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, non-alcohol-related fatty liver disease, liver cancer, and liver injuries caused by drugs or toxins (9). The side effects of milk of magnesia during pregnancy can be the same as those for the non-pregnant population. pregnancy? DOI:10.1016/j.molonc.2016.03.002. There is little evidence that blessed thistle can prevent or avert the course of the common cold, flu, or other viral infections. And it may help the liver repair itself by growing new cells. But studies on heart benefits have only been done in people with diabetes. Ive had milk thistle a few times, but found a lot of conflicting information on if its safe or not during pregnancy. WebMilk Thistle List of Precautions What should I Know Regarding Pregnancy, Nursing and Administering Milk Thistle to Children or the Elderly? Milk thistle. the liver removes hormones, drugs, and other molecules. It grows to 3 feet tall. Sadava D, Kane SE. Research on milk thistle use for specific conditions shows: 1. the milk thistle has the great antioxidative agent in which it can prevent the pollutants at bay and it will stimulate the positive effects to the body. This makes it very hard to establish a standard dose. Throughout history, milk thistle has also been used to treat liver and gallbladder issues. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem. blood the result is feeling off, fatigued, unwell. Milk thistle: early seeds of potential. GAIA is a trustworthy. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). They are seen in very high numbers in the brains of people with Alzheimers disease, meaning that milk thistle could potentially be used to help treat this difficult condition (21). WebMilk thistle is an annual or biennial plant. In this situation, I don't think the potential benefits of supplementing outweigh the potential risks, but ultimately it's your decision. As milk thistle helps to reduce toxicity of the liver; thus If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could Outside of its medicinal uses, blessed thistle is a key ingredient in the alcoholic liqueur Benedictine. Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if blessed thistle is safe to use when breast-feeding. 2001;7(3):36-47. More research will help confirm just how much this herb can really do. I found out that i am 5 weeks pregnant. It increases the hormone prolactin hence in turn increasing the breast milk. Milk thistle is sold as an oral capsule, tablet and liquid extract. Milk thistle is a purported galactogogue,[2] and is included in Its unclear what benefits, if any, it may have in the body, but its sometimes used as a natural treatment for things including cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis, and gallbladder disorders. People may also find it painful and worry about its effects on their appearance. By Donna Murray, RN, BSN One of the active ingredients in milk thistle called silymarin is extracted from the plant's seeds. It is not known whether milk thistle will harm an unborn baby. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of J Ehtnopharmacol. WebPregnancy and breast-feeding: There isnt enough reliable information to know if milk thistle is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Milk thistle tea is considered safe in moderation. This is great for cleansing the liver. Milk thistle is a plant with white-veined leaves that has traditionally been used to treat liver issues and stimulate breast milk production, among other applications. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Flushes excess hormones and toxins from the liver. Side effects are usually mild and may involve: Stomach upset Diarrhea Nausea and vomiting Rash (from touching milk thistle plants) DO NOT take milk thistle if you are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, chamomile, yarrow, or daisies. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, second edition, 2004. Prim Care. Here are 7 benefits of milk thistle that are backed by science. It is native to Mediterranean countries. Donna Murray, RN, BSN has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rutgers University and is a current member of Sigma Theta Tau, the Nursing Honor Society. 2006;72(4):630-633. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2006.02.004, Ulbricht C, Basch E, Dacey C, Dith S, Weissner W. An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. milk thistle safe or not during pregnancy: Ive been taking milk thistle for 2 yrs as i have a fatty liver. 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