Milk Thistle Treatment

Milk thistle is also sometimes called silymarin. The plant can grow up to six feet tall and is native to Europe, North Africa and parts of Asia. It has also spread to North America. It is widely used for its medicinal properties, particularly its effects on liver health. However, it's important to keep in mind that the FDA has not evaluated or approved the use of milk thistle for medicinal purposes. The recommended dosage for adults is between 200 and 400 milligrams, taken one to three times daily. Children should not use milk thistle.

Liver Health

• Take milk thistle to support the healthy function of your liver. Your liver is responsible for processing and eliminating harmful toxins, such as alcohol and cigarette smoke, from your body.

  Taking milk thistle after you take pain medications like acetaminophen may help the liver repair and protect itself. It can also protect your liver if you take it within 24 hours of exposure to deathcap mushroom poisoning. If you take milk thistle within 10 minutes of deathcap poisoning, milk thistle can completely reverse the effects of poisoning.

Gallbladder Health

• Your gallbladder, located next to the liver, is like a reservoir for the bile the liver produces. Bile is used in the intestines to break down the fats you consume. Bile also helps your body eliminate waste from the intestines. By taking the milk thistle, you can help your liver produce more bile. This can help prevent gallstones from forming.

Cancer

• Milk thistle may possibly even aid cancer patients in fighting off their disease. Milk thistle may help prevent cancer cells from multiplying and spreading to healthy tissues. It may also help your body cope with the effects of chemotherapy and other cancer drugs, such as Cyclosporine. Milk thistle may also help your body starve tumors by reducing the blood that is available to them.

Side Effects

• As with any herbal supplement, discuss adding milk thistle to your diet with your health care provider, especially if you are on any medications. Milk thistle may interact with certain medications, including anti-psychotics, seizure medications, anti-anxiety drugs, cholesterol medications, anti-coagulates, allergy medications, Halothane, and a few cancer drugs. Additionally, you should not take milk thistle if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Mild side effects may include diarrhea and an upset stomach. If you have an allergy to ragweed, marigolds or artichokes, you may also be allergic to milk thistle.