Milk Thistle Extract: Benefits, Uses & Scientific Evidence

Milk thistle extract has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years. The plant originated in Europe. Silymarin is the active constituent of the extract and is found in the seeds of the plant.

Liver

• Milk thistle is said to protect the liver from damage due to acetaminophen and other medications. It has also been shown to improve liver function in cirrhosis patients.

Diabetes

• A study that was performed at the Institute of Medicinal Plants, in Tehran, Iran has shown that daily doses of milk thistle lowered fasting glucose levels in diabetic patients by 15 percent.

Mushroom Poisoning

• Milk thistle has been used for thousands of years as an antidote to mushroom poisoning. More modern use began in 1949 when it became more widely used to strengthen the liver.

Hepatitis

• Milk thistle is often prescribed in Germany for patients with hepatitis C. Studies done in America have so far been inconclusive.

Digestion

• Milk thistle can also be used to aid digestion. It is said to help metabolize carbohydrates, proteins and fats. It also helps to cleanse the body of toxins.