Some animal studies have shown that milk thistle could be useful for reducing the side effects of cancer treatments (26, 27, 28). Milk thistle is often said to help ease hangovers, but you may wonder whether it actually works. If you think you have a liver problem, you should see a doctor. All rights reserved. Interestingly, one study found that people with acne who took 210 milligrams of silymarin per day for 8 weeks experienced a 53% decrease in acne lesions (42). Even though the results from existing research are promising, larger, well-designed studies are needed to investigate the use of these extracts and teas in diabetes management. Photo Credit:. It certainly helps women get pregnant. They say the daily intake of Silymarin should be about 280mg, either way, I would love to talk to pregnant women who have taken the herb during their pregnancy and the different brands they used and how their babies turned out. https://www.wolterskluwercdi.com/facts-comparisons-online/. Milk thistle may not be recommended in some situations. Milk thistle tea is an herbal drink touted to promote liver health, stimulate breast milk production, and protect against diabetes. Milk thistles active component is a flavanoid called silymarin that protects and repairs damaged liver cells. A systematic review found that silymarin supplements significantly reduced fasting blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. This article provides a detailed overview of milk thistle tea; its compounds, possible benefits, and downsides; and how to make it. As 2016 review of studies from Tulane University didn't so much dismiss blessed thistle as a galactagogue. It may also decrease inflammatory responses in your body (5). 2006;26(6B):4457-4498. Review. More studies are needed before it can be determined how silymarin might be used to support people undergoing cancer treatment. Pak J Pharm Sci. Nakagawa-Goto,K.; Chen,J.; Cheng, Y. et al. 2016;15(12): 2633-40. The silymarin extracted from milk thistle is known to have antioxidant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties (2, 3, 4). However, there have been no studies on milk thistle tea specifically, and research on other preparations such as isolated forms of the active compound silymarin is limited. Risks. Blessed thistle, also known as holy thistle, has been used since the Middle Ages to treat bubonic plague, promote digestive health and prevent infection. Thus, drinking this tea is not the best way to absorb any beneficial plant compounds (6, 7). 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Milk thistle is a useful natural home remedy for morning sickness, increasing milk supply and boosting liver function. A Review of Herbal and Pharmaceutical Galactagogues for Breast-Feeding. However, even in its tea form, it can cause stomach upset, nausea, and vomiting if consumed in excess. Although more research is needed on how it works, milk thistle is thought to reduce damage to the liver caused by free radicals, which are produced when your liver metabolizes toxic substances. Group Leaders arent expected to spend any additional time in the community, and are not held to a set schedule. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Taken in appropriate doses, oral use of milk thistle appears to be safe. If given within 24 hours, it significantly reduces the risk of liver damage and death. However, few studies back these claims (1). WebMost commonly, milk thistle was thought to be good for treating disorders of the liver and gallbladder. May ease depression and help prevent postpartum baby blues and postpartum depression. Milk thistle has few reported side effects, the most common being diarrhea. Najm W, Lie D. Dietary supplements commonly used for prevention. What are the precautions when taking this product? 3 In another If you feel it suits you, then increase the number to two cups a day and gradually to three cups a day. Boston, Massachusetts: Element Publishing. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Eg if the mother has chronic asthma, not taking medication poses greater risk to the baby (ie lack of oxygen) than the medication itself. Silybum marianum (milk thistle). The antimicrobial activity of the Cnicus benedictus L. extracts. Milk thistle is often suggested as a treatment for alcoholic hepatitis and alcoholic cirrhosis, but scientific studies show mixed results. However, it has not been found to protect against the onset of these liver conditions (9). However, the reviewers noted that the available studies were low quality and that more research is needed (17). Siegel A, Stebbing J. Evid Rep Technol Assess (Summ). Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) is a plant that naturally supports hormone balance and is considered by herbalists to be one of the best plant allies for liver health. health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements because they might interfere with your medication. Milk thistle can cause an allergic reaction, including a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is a member of the asteraceae family, which also includes sunflowers and daisies. Steep a tea bag or 1 teaspoon of loose tea in 1 cup (237 mL) of hot water for 510 minutes. Milk Thistle seed (Silybum marianum) supports hormonal balance. Its unclear if milk thistle has the same effects in people without diabetes. Zielinska-Przyjemska M, Wiktorowicz K. An in vitro study of the protective effect of the flavonoid silydianin against reactive oxygen species. Even less is known about cnicin's purported anti-tumor properties. https://www.micromedexsolutions.com. It has reddish-purple flowers. Side effects are usually mild and may involve: Milk thistle should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women. Accessed Oct. 30, 2020. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. While not dangerous, it can cause scars. Its been suggested that the antioxidant effects of silymarin may have some anticancer effects, which could be helpful for people receiving cancer treatment (9). 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Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. Review/update the A study of alternative health care use for gastrointestinal disorders. 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. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties mean that it is possibly neuroprotective and could help prevent the decline in brain function you experience as you age (14, 15). Gastroenterology. Proponents believe that taking blessed thistle with fenugreek can further increase the production of breastmilk. One constituent of milk thistle may inhibit an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase, which is involved in the activity of oral contraceptives. But the clinical trial evidence for this benefit is still lacking. This may be avoided if the supplements are taken with food. How long does it take for blessed thistle to work? WebMilk thistle is a purple-flowered plant. Group Black's collective includes Essence, The Shade Room and Naturally Curly. Milk thistle extract has a high amount of silymarin (between 6580%) that has been concentrated from the milk thistle plant. According to a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, the cnicin in blessed thistle binds to bacteria in a unique way, blocking the enzymes needed for bacterial replication. However, this review also noted that the quality of the studies was not very high, so more studies are needed before its possible to make any firm recommendations (44). Be sure to inform your doctor if you are taking milk thistle. Ultimately, more research is needed to better understand the effectiveness and safety of milk thistle preparations, including teas, in treating liver diseases. Pizzorono JE, et al., eds. Milk thistle has long been used to prevent poisoning, particularly in cases of ingestion of poisonous mushrooms. In fact, it has traditionally been used to treat liver and gallbladder disorders, promote breast milk production, prevent and treat cancer and even protect the liver from snake bites, alcohol and other environmental poisons. Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus) is a plant native to the Mediterranean from southern France to Iran. Natural remedies that are sometimes suggested for liver health include dandelion root and milk thistle. Curr Med Chem. For the best results, breastfeed more often or pump after or between feedings. Lancet Oncol. However, the results from studies have been mixed, and not all have found milk thistle extract to have a beneficial effect on liver disease. Can Milk Thistle Help People With Diabetes? The purported health benefits of milk thistle are thought to be connected to silymarins antioxidant properties. Believe it or not, Liver health is key for hormone Phosphatidylcholine is a key element in cell membranes. Milk Thistle has also been found to ease depression and may be a helpful support in preventing the baby blues. I asked my midwives, since I had cholestasis with my last pregnancy at 39 weeks. While it remains unclear how milk thistle may affect your liver, its believed that silymarin extracted from the plant may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral effects (10). livers primary responsibility is to filter toxins from the body. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Milk thistle is a plant named for the white veins on its large prickly leaves. Milk thistle tea is considered safe in moderation. Low Dog T. Traditional and alternative therapies for breast cancer. Has anyone here heard of bump dust prenatal protein? In: Textbook of Natural Medicine. It is known to increase circulation and treat hormone imbalance. How much Milk Thistle do you recommend? Longe, J., ed. The Pharmaceutical and Chemical Journal. Ferenci P, Scherzer TM, Kerschner H, et al. Whats more, the limited research has focused on extracts and pills, both of which are more concentrated than tea (8). Antioxidants protect cells against damage by free radicals, which are highly chemically active by-products of normal cell activity. 2008;269(2):352-362. Review. 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. Milk thistle is generally considered safe when taken by mouth (1, 45). It may also make chemotherapy work more effectively against certain cancers and, in some circumstances, even destroy cancer cells (9, 29, 30, 31). Effect of the flavonoid silydianin against reactive oxygen species natural home remedy morning. Has the same effects in people without diabetes 24 hours, it can cause stomach upset,,... 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