Milk Thistle

carduus marianus
silybum marianum

Background: The main active ingredient, silymarin,
is found in the seeds of this prickly leafed,
purple-flowered plant.

Medicinal Claims: Milk thistle affects
primarily the liver, spleen, and kidneys.
It increases production of protein
by the liver and stimulates regeneration of liver tissue.
It is claimed to protect the liver from toxic substances
(such as viruses, alcohol, and the toxin
from death cap mushrooms) and from certain drugs
(such as the analgesic acetaminophen

Some Trade Names TYLENOL the antidepressant amitriptyline
Some Trade Names ELAVIL ENDEP, and the antibiotic erythromycin
Some Trade Names E-MYCIN ERYTHROCIN ILOSONE).
Thus, milk thistle is used to prevent and treat mushroom
poisoning and other liver disorders,
such as cirrhosis and hepatitis C.

Two well-controlled studies of milk thistle in people
with cirrhosis had mixed results.
In reports that have collected information about many
individual patients with mushroom poisoning,
milk thistle reduced the death rate.

Possible Side Effects: Brief stomach upset and mild allergies,
but no serious side effects, have been reported.
Milk thistle may intensify the effects of drugs
that decrease blood sugar levels (hypoglycemic drugs).


The Benefits of Milk Thistle - Silybum Marianum


SOURCE(S)
Merck

Complementary Medicine


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