Milk thistle is a natural herb with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Enter other medications to view a detailed report. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a flowering herb native to Europe but also found in parts of the United States, Australia, Asia, Africa, and South America. However, the extracts in milk thistle could act like estrogen. More studies with human participants could allow scientists to say with certainty that milk thistle supports a persons immune system. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved milk thistle for the treatment of cancer. 2008;47(2):605-12. doi:10.1002/hep.22044, Voroneanu, L.; Nistor, I.; Dumea, R. et al. Although research is still emerging, milk thistle may be beneficial for conditions relating to the liver and gallbladder. 2019;33(6):1627-1638. doi:10.1002/ptr.6361. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Tajmohammadi A, Razavi BM, Hosseinzadeh H. Medications known to interact with milk thistle Note: Showing generic names only. If you have any of the following health problems, consult your doctor or pharmacist before using this product: conditions that are affected by estrogen (such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, cancer of the breast/uterus/ovary). Olive Oil Vs. Loguercio C, Festi D. Silybin and the liver: from basic research to clinical practice. 1997-. Effects of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. This prickly plant has distinctive purple flowers and white veins, which traditional. Although milk thistle may be helpful in hepatitis C, more research is needed to support these claims. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The study looked specifically at bone loss caused by a deficiency in estrogen among rats that had their ovaries removed. Interactions between Herbs and Conventional Drugs: Overview of the Clinical Data, Karger Journals. Website: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/. In some studies, silibinin, an active component of milk thistle, has been shown to have estrogen-like effects. [1] Silymarin is a standardized preparation extracted from the fruits (seeds) of milk thistle. Small studies mainly performed on cells in laboratories have found that milk thistle can slow cancer cell and tumor growth and possibly increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Researchers must carry out more studies on humans to confirm the effects of milk thistle on cognition. Suzanne Fisher, RD, founder of Fisher Nutrition Systems, has been a board-certified registered dietitian and licensed nutritionist for over 30 years. increased sweating. It is native to Mediterranean countries. Studies of milk thistle coadministered with various drugs in humans suggest it is unlikely to affect the most common cytochrome, the P450 (CYP450) isozyme. There are no guidelines regarding a standard dose of milk thistle. Milk thistle is a traditional Chinese medicine extract derived from the mature fruit of Silybum marianum. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Cymbalta side effects (more detail) These results are consistent with other evidence suggesting that milk thistle has no effect on the pharmacokinetics of nifedipine, irinotecan, or indinavir.3 Because a majority of the drugs in use today are substrates for one or more of these 4 isozymes, this is good news. Milk thistle has a range of potential health benefits due to its active ingredient, silymarin, which is an antioxidant. gallbladder disorders. Check out the infographic below to learn more about the benefits of milk thistle.SaveIllustration: StyleCraze Design Team. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); February 20, 2022. The effects of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) on human cytochrome P450 activity. Current studies on milk thistle use a wide range of doses. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. The extract of the seeds of milk thistle contains a number of substances, collectively called silymarin. It may not be safe for people with hormone-sensitive breast cancer. This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. In one such study, a 45-day course of silymarin, the active component of milk thistle, increased antioxidant capacity and reduced generalized inflammation in adults with type 2 diabetes compared with a placebo. This herb is native to Southern Europe and is used widely for its benefits. It is unknown if this product passes into breast milk. J Diabetes Res. High cholesterol can lead to problems with heart health and increase a persons chance of stroke. Calm an upset stomach. StyleCraze provides content of general nature that is designed for informational purposes only. Milk thistle is thought to be safe for most people, but precautions should be taken as side effects are possible. Mulrow C, Lawrence V, Jacobs B, et al. Milk thistle might also decrease hormone levels in the body (5). CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The most common use of milk thistle is for liver problems. A 2013 study found that milk thistle helped to prevent bone loss. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist. Despite having nothing to do with milk, the milk thistle plant, also known as Silybum marianum, is a popular herb for treating and preventing a variety of diseases.. The following two tabs change content below. The therapeutic potential of milk thistle in diabetes, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. Accessed at naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com on April 1, 2020. Adv Ther. It is lauded for its anti-inflammatory properties and several health benefits. nausea, loss of appetite. For guidance from NCCIH on using PubMed, see How To Find Information About Complementary Health Approaches on PubMed. 3 are moderate, and 1 is minor. 2018;9:1903. doi:10.3389/fimmu.2018.01903. These side effects may be mild or severe. Therefore, it is not known whether milk thistle or silymarin should be used to treat cirrhosis. (silymarin) extract supplementation on antioxidant status and hs-CRP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Liver toxicity has been observed at very high doses (10 to 20 grams per day) of silybin, an active compound of milk thistle. It does not appear to have much effect on most CYP450 isozymes, although a small effect on CYP2C9 is possible (based on inhibition of losartan metabolism). J Med Assoc Thai. Similar supplements to milk thistle include: Please talk with your healthcare provider about the best supplement for you. Little is known about whether its safe to use milk thistle during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. When looking at Milk Thistle itself (prior to any extraction), the fruits or thistles contain: Silymarin at 1.5-3% of dry weight (to be elucidated later) [2] Silyhermin and both Neosilyhermin A and B [2]; Protein and Mucilage (taking up 25-30% of the herb by dry weight) [2] Quercetin and the dihydro varient known as Taxifolin [2]; Kaempferol, Dihydrokaempferol, and the 7-glucoside and 3 . For centuries, this herb has been used in fighting hangovers (9). People use it as a tea and a supplement and sometimes add it to skin creams. Drs. 1982;17:51721. Over-indulging in this powerful herb may do you more harm than you know. We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Some people may be allergic to milk thistle. Nanjan MJ, Betz J. Resveratrol for the management of diabetes and its downstream pathologies. Does milk thistle cause any side effects? Historically, people have used milk thistle for liver disorders and gallbladder problems. Copyright 2011 - 2023 IncNut Stylecraze Private Limited. Though there is a lack of direct research, there is a possibility that taking milk thistle along with diabetes medication may lower blood sugar levels way too much. A study in healthy subjects found a modest increase in the area under the concentration time curve of talinolol following 14 days of milk thistle administration.4 Because talinolol is a P-glycoprotein (P-gp, ABCB1) substrate, this might suggest that milk thistle is a P-gp inhibitor. This document does not contain all possible interactions. Milk thistle is an herbal remedy derived from the milk thistle plant, also known as Silybum marianum. Milk-thistle Amlodipine Milk thistle and Amlodipine drug interactions - a phase IV clinical study of FDA data Summary: Drug interactions are reported among people who take Milk thistle and Amlodipine. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in F more. Milk thistle is available as a supplement from many health food stores. Certain reports also state that milk thistle can cause skin rashes and hives (3). Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. A 2015 study found that it helped to improve inflammatory skin conditions when applied to the skin of mice. Yes, you can drink alcohol while taking milk thistle. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Rambaldi A, Jacobs BP, Gluud C. Milk thistle for alcoholic and/or hepatitis B or C virus liver diseases. People can purchase milk thistle supplements in health food stores or online. All rights reserved. Find out more. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Herb-drug Interactions: A Literature Review, US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. Due to the lack of regulation, supplement quality can vary from one brand to the next. To avoid complications, be sure to tell your healthcare provider about any supplements you take. Some people claim it can help to treat: cirrhosis. Milk thistle is native to Europe and was introduced into North America by early colonists. A double-blind controlled study. Side effects are always possible when taking supplements. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2000. Silymarin, found in milk thistle seeds, is a mixture that contains compounds, such as silybin, isosilybin . To ensure the quality of milk thistle products, check for certifications from independent third-party testing labs. What Are the Side Effects of Milk Thistle? 2012;308(3):274-282. doi:10.1001/jama.2012.8265. Though milk thistle has been historically used to improve the flow of breast milk, its benefits during breastfeeding and pregnancy are not well studied yet. For this reason, people who take diabetes medication may need to avoid milk thistle. The FDA has not approved milk thistle to treat any health conditions. (silymarin) extract supplementation on antioxidant status and hs-CRP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Regardless, interactions are still possible. Milk thistle. Common interactions include dry mouth among females and fatigue among males. Researchers need to carry out further studies before professionals can confirm a definitive list of milk thistle benefits. Enter other medications to view a detailed report. In a 2016 study, researchers fed rats a high-cholesterol diet. The review went on to say that silymarin may be linked to lower rates of mortality in patients with cirrhosis and liver disease. Nouri-Vaskeh M, Malek Mahdavi A, Afshan H, Alizadeh L, Zarei M. Effect of curcumin supplementation on disease severity in patients with liver cirrhosis: a randomized controlled trial. Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates. Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. Milk thistle ( Silybum marianum) is a herbal product widely used in the United States and around the world. The study looked specifically at bone loss caused by a deficiency in estrogen among rats that had their removed... Pharmacist promptly silymarin, which traditional has distinctive purple flowers and white veins, which is antioxidant!: from basic research to clinical practice Europe and is in the public domain one. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and share the list with doctor! Which is an herbal remedy derived from the mature fruit of Silybum marianum as Silybin, isosilybin of and... 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