Milk thistle (silybum marianum), a short broad thorny plant, is also commonly known as St. Mary’s thistle, lady’s thistle, Marian’s thistle, wild artichoke and by several other names. Milk thistle seed extract is gaining popularity as the source of a herbal remedy for liver diseases. Milk thistle seed extract has antioxidant property that enables liver to function normally and stay healthy.

Silybum marianum is a biblical plant as it is mentioned in the records of Theophrastus in the 4 century BC. For 2000 years, Europe has been using this herbal treatment for diseases related to the liver.

The special hybrid milk thistle seeds are used as the main source of herbal supplement. Milk thistle extract contains 70 to 80% of the class of flavonolignen known as silymarin, a powerful antioxidant that is 10 times as potent as Vitamin E. There are three compounds in the silymarin class: the silybinin, silydrarin and silychrislin; these are the specialized substances that produced therapeutic effects in the preparation of the milk thistle seed extract.

Legitimate medical benefits have been proven by various studies and research. It was observed that very low dosage of silymarin is not very effective as compared to a large dosage which brings about biological active therapeutic effect. Milkthistle prevents and repairs damage to the liver due to toxic chemicals and medication. Workers, exposed to toxic chemical environment, were given milk thistle seed and immediately they showed significant improvement in their liver infection.

Amanita mushroom poisoning (death cap) was controlled with the addition of silibronin to the penicillin treatment. Severe liver damage due to amanita poisoning was hindered with the administration of silybin within 48 hours of intake.

Benefits of milk thistle for liver disease treatment claims also include:

1. Milk thistle seed extract was used as an oral steroid for body building and/or in the hope of reducing or eliminating liver damage.
2. It is effective in lowering cholesterol level.
3. It has the potency to reduce the insulin resistant in people with 2 types of diabetes and cirrhosis.
4. Milk thistle supplements reduce the growth of cancer cells in the breasts, cervix and prostrate.
5. It is used as a cleansing product to reduce the effect of hangover.
6. Milk thistle detox helps individuals in the acute withdrawal stage from opiate drugs (heroin, morphine, oxycontin, codeine, methadone, and others).
7. It cushions the effects of oral steroids.

The herbal extract has very limited adverse effects; it may cause a slight stomach irritation or mild laxative effect. Since herbal supplements are not supervised by FDA regulation, it is advisable to seek the opinion of your health care provider before taking any form of milkthistle.

In the 16th century, the whole plant was a popular source of food. The roots were eaten uncooked or boiled or par-boiled. In spring time, the young shoots were cut down up to the roots and boiled. It was eaten dabbed with butter. The spring bracts on the flower head were eaten like globe artichoke. After peeling, the stem were soaked overnight to remove bitterness and stewed. The leaves were trimmed of thorns and boiled as spinach substitute or eaten raw as salads. Milk thistle seed was used to begin the cycle again.

The United States National Library of Medicine has catalogued more than 300 scientific studies of Milk Thistle Seed Extract and its active compounds in their medical database.