Milk Thistle Directions

For nearly 2,000 years, holistic healers have turned to milk thistle as a natural treatment for common diseases and ailments. In modern naturopathy, practitioners still recommend milk thistle to people suffering from digestive upset, diabetes, liver disease and gallbladder dysfunction. Expert opinions vary regarding the best way to use milk thistle. Doses and treatment methods will depend upon your weight, your overall health and your own reason for using the herb.

Instructions

• 1

  Consult your primary health care provider. Although the National Institutes of Health regards milk thistle as "likely safe" for most adults, it can be dangerous to certain individuals. If you are taking medication or have a medical condition, it is especially critical to talk to your practitioner about the benefits and risks associated with milk thistle supplements. Expert guidance is essential for using any medicinal herb.

• 2

  Take standardized milk thistle extract, which contains guaranteed quantities of the medicinal compound silymarin. For diabetes, use 200 mg of silymarin three times daily, once with each meal,. Note any changes in your blood sugar readings. Silymarin is valuable to people with high blood sugar, but it may cause sharp or dangerous reductions in glucose. Your health care provider may suggest that you check your blood sugar more frequently to check for signs of hypoglycemia.

• 3

  Take 1 ml of Iberogast three times daily for four weeks. Iberogast is a herbal formula containing milk thistle, peppermint leaf, German chamomile, caraway, licorice, clown's mustard plant, celandine, angelica and lemon balm. When used appropriately under a health care provider's guidance, Iberogast appears to effectively treat heartburn and indigestion.

• 4

  Take 280 to 450 mg of dried, unaltered milk thistle per day as a complementary treatment for liver disease. Divide this daily intake into two or three doses, preferably taken with meals. Herbalists may recommend this dose as an adjunct therapy for liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. However, there is only limited evidence that milk thistle treats these disorders effectively. Always defer to an expert's treatment guidelines.

• 5

  Schedule a follow-up consultation with your health care provider. Depending on your reason for using milk thistle, your health care provider may check your liver function, blood sugar or bowel sounds to make sure that the herb is working properly. Report any side effects or symptom changes to your physician.