How to Use Milk Thistle Supplements

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a Mediterranean flowering herb that has been used for thousands of years for the treatment of the liver. Also known as blessed thistle, Mary thistle, its active component is silymarin. Crushed seeds from the plant is sold as capsules, extracts and as medicinal herbal teas. The National Center for Complementary Medicine (NCCAM) at the National Institutes of Health is conducting a study using milk thistle in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C.The NCCAM states milk thistle has been used for “protective effects” on the liver, in the treatment of cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis and gallbladder diseases. It has also been used to help lower cholesterol levels and reduce insulin resistance in people with Type 2 diabetes.

Things You'll Need

• Milk Thistle, 200 mg daily

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Instructions

• 1

  Purchase milk thistle online or at your health food store. Select an option that is standardized to 80 percent potency and with 200 mg per capsule.

• 2

  Take 1 capsule of 200 mg per day. If you are under a physician’s care, take milk thistle as directed.

• 3

  Notice if you have any side effects from this relatively low dose. Milk thistle is generally used to treat cirrhosis, other liver disorders, hepatitis and gallbladder disease.

• 4

  Report any blood in your urine or stool immediately to your doctor. Taking large doses of milk thistle can damage the liver or cause it to fail which is fatal.