Hi Folks,

Is anyone currently taking Milk Thistle? If so, what dose do you take? Is it effective and, above all, is it OK to take Milk Thistle at the same time as doing TSM?

Any additional information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in anticipation.

V.

Hi, I take Milk Thisle also, not sure of the dosage but it will not hurt you at all, usually twice a day, if I remember. Very popular here in the states!

I'm planning to start taking it for liver function support. As far as I've read there seem to be no problems taking it with anything unlike some of the other plant extracts where care may be needed (e.g. St John's Wort, which has warnings against being used with alcohol).

Hi 8, I've been taking Milk thistle for years when I first found out that it helped the liver. My last liver test believe it or not was great and I think that was the only reason my doc wrote a prescription for Nal. If it helps there's a liver cleansing you can do as well, it's 100% unsweetened cranberry juice (you can get it a trader's joe's) mix a quarter of juice to three quarters of water and add a sweetener to it for taste, it really works.

I've been taking it twice a day for 6 years now. Not sure if it's saved my liver or not, but as long as I have no alcohol in my system for 24 hours before getting the blood draw for the test, my numbers have come back in the normal range. It's hard to believe, considering how much I drank for so long. So, I think it's been working for me. No harm in taking it, so I'd recommend it to anyone.

I do use milk thistle and I have eaten in salads, dandelion greens.

I had, about two years ago, a compromised liver test, not too bad, but not perfect nor great numbers.

I started a daily regiment of milk thistle drops, (how much?) and a salad at lunch with a nice amount of dandelion greens.

After three to four months, I retested my liver, and lo and behold, perfect numbers.

I do believe, in both of these to help with our liver, and it has been time proven.

Go to your local herbalist or shop and they will tell you how much you are allowed to ingest.

As for the dandelion greens, eat a little every day, but not too excess because you do not want to make it be a chore.

LUCK TO YOU!

I tried to take it but it made me terribly congested. Allergies, I think.

Hi Folks,

Many thanks for all the feedback, which I have just read.

It looks as though I should give Milk Thistle a try. I wonder if it's ever been subject to a clinical trial or something similar. It would be good to see some scientific evidence that it does the trick but perhaps that's being a bit too hopeful.

Once again, thanks!

V.

Here's an article I pulled from Johns Hopkins Sheridan libraries. I'm unsure of it's bias or accuracy but it was deemed most relevant by the search engine in a search for "Milk Thistle" :

"Milk Thistle
This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb milk thistle—common names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. Milk thistle is a flowering herb that is native to the Mediterranean region. It has been used for thousands of years as a remedy for a variety of ailments, especially liver problems.
Common Names—milk thistle, Mary thistle, holy thistle. Milk thistle is sometimes called silymarin, which is actually a mixture of the herb’s active components, including silybinin (also called silibinin or silybin).
Latin Name—Silybum marianum
What It Is Used For
Milk thistle is believed to have protective effects on the liver and improve its function. It is typically used to treat liver cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis (liver inflammation), and gallbladder disorders. Treatment claims also include:
•
Lowering cholesterol levels
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Reducing insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes who also have cirrhosis
•
Reducing the growth of cancer cells in breast, cervical, and prostate cancers.
How It Is Used
Silymarin, which can be extracted from the seeds (fruit) of the milk thistle plant, is believed to be the biologically active part of the herb. The seeds are used to prepare capsules, extracts, and infusions (strong teas).
What the Science Says
•
There have been some studies of milk thistle on liver disease in humans, but these have been small. Some promising data have been reported, but study results at this time are mixed.
•
Although some studies conducted outside the United States support claims of oral milk thistle to improve liver function, there have been flaws in study design and reporting. To date, there is no conclusive evidence to prove its claimed uses.
•
Recent NCCAM-funded research includes a phase II study to better understand the use of milk thistle for chronic hepatitis C. Additional research, cofunded by NCCAM and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, includes studies of milk thistle for chronic hepatitis C and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (liver disease that occurs in people who drink little or no alcohol).
•
The National Cancer Institute and the National Institute of Nursing Research are also studying milk thistle for cancer prevention and to treat complications in HIV patients.
Side Effects and Cautions
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In clinical trials, milk thistle generally has few side effects. Occasionally, people report a laxative effect, upset stomach, diarrhea, and bloating.
•
Milk thistle can produce allergic reactions, which tend to be more common among people who are allergic to plants in the same family (for example, ragweed, chrysanthemum, marigold, and daisy).
•
Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
Sources
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Milk Thistle: Effects on Liver Disease and Cirrhosis and Clinical Adverse Effects. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment no. 21. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2000. 01E024. Also accessible at http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/milktsum.htm.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New York, NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:467-482.
Milk thistle. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on July 3, 2007.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum), silymarin. Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturalstandard.com on June 28, 2007.
Milk thistle fruit. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:257-263.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Hepatitis C and Complementary and Alternative Medicine: 2003 Update. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Web site. Accessed at http://nccam.nih.gov/health/hepatitisc/ on July 5, 2007.
For More Information
Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view:
•
What’s in the Bottle? An Introduction to Dietary Supplements at nccam.nih.gov/health/bottle/
•
Herbal Supplements: Consider Safety, Too at nccam.nih.gov/health/supplement-safety/
NCCAM Clearinghouse
Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226 TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615 E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov
CAM on PubMed
Web site: nccam.nih.gov/camonpubmed/
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov
This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.
NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM.
National Institutes of Health ♦♦♦ U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
D285
Created September 2005
Updated March 2008"

Hi Lo0p,

Thanks for digging out the Johns Hopkins Sheridan libraries reference list. Some of the stuff makes for interesting reading.

All the very best.

V.