Safety of Milk Thistle Extract

Milk thistle, taken as an extract, has been used for centuries as a natural way to cure a variety of ailments. It has been most often taken as a way to protect the liver against exposure to toxins. Alcoholics and hepatitis patients have used milk thistle extract as a way to protect the liver against the damage caused by their conditions. You will want to review the safety of milk thistle extract with your physician prior to using it.

Background

• Milk thistle is sold as an extract through nutritional supplement stores as well as online vitamin retailers. Most manufacturers recommend that you take one to two milliliters three times a day as a supplement. The Vitamin Shoppe sells its own brand of milk thistle extract online in 2-oz. containers. You can add the extract to water or juice if you are not fond of the taste.

Side Effects

• When reviewing the safety of an herbal supplement, like milk thistle extract, you should first review the reported side effects. In most cases, you will not develop serious side effects from ingesting milk thistle. You can get a slight headache from milk thistle exposure as well as stomach upset, vomiting and diarrhea. Some people use milk thistle as a mild laxative since it can often bring on a bowel movement.

Emergency Symptoms

• If you develop any severe allergic reaction symptoms from milk thistle, discontinue use and contact a medical professional immediately. These symptoms include hives, swelling, difficulty breathing and dizziness. The side effects will likely come on within a few hours of milk thistle extract exposure.

Drug Interactions

• Another safety concern of milk thistle supplementation is potential interactions with other medications you may be taking. Don't take milk thistle without speaking to your doctor if you take allergy pills, cholesterol controlling drugs, anti-anxiety medications, blood thinners and certain cancer treatment drugs. This is due to the fact that these drugs and milk thistle are often broken down by the same liver enzymes. Anti-psychotic drugs, seizure medicines and anesthetics should also not be taken at the same time as milk thistle extract.

Considerations

• Make sure the milk thistle extract that you use is free of alcohol. Alcohol can harm the liver, and if you are using the supplement to help liver function, you won't want this ingredient included.