The active ingredients in milk thistle are a group of plant compounds collectively known as silymarin (1). In fact, in studies where high doses were used for long periods, only about 1% of people experienced side effects (1). It could interact with many drugs, including some that treat high cholesterol, infections, insomnia, and blood pressure. 2005;12(6):559-567. Review. Check out my YogaBellies for Pregnancy at Home programme HERE. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, The Blavatnik Family Chelsea Medical Center, Heart - Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Mount Sinai Center for Asian Equity and Professional Development, Preparing for Surgery and Major Procedures, Herbs with Similar Side Effects as: Milk Thistle, Herbs with Similar Warnings as: Milk Thistle, Stop cancer cells from dividing and reproducing, Capsules of standardized dried herb (each capsule contains about 120mg to 140 mg of silymarin). One needs randomised, double-blind studies to identify causation. Proponents believe that taking blessed thistle with fenugreek can further increase the production of breastmilk. However, there have been no studies on milk thistle tea specifically, and research on other preparations such as isolated forms of the active compound silymarin is limited. Precaution: NO SAFETY DATA AVAILABLE;CAUTION ADVISED. It might be able to fight off bacterial infections in the body, and possibly even be an anti-carcinogen. Pilot study of oral silibinin, a putative chemopreventive agent, in colorectal cancer patients: silibinin levels in plasma, colorectum, and liver and their pharmacodynamic consequences. Asghar Z, Masood Z. Era of Hope Meeting for the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program, Atlanta, June 8-11, 2000. It reduces inflammation (which is why it is often suggested for people with liver inflammation or hepatitis) and is a strong antioxidant. In: Textbook of Natural Medicine. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Based on traditional use, milk thistle has been used as an emergency antidote for poisoning by death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides). Milk thistle: effects on liver disease and cirrhosis and clinical adverse effects. https://www.wolterskluwercdi.com/facts-comparisons-online/. Am Fam Physician. On the hand, research suggests that the herb may help neutralize certain common bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus.. Learn more about, 11 Times Celebrities Got Real About Their Breastfeeding Struggles. Silymarin is believed to have antioxidant properties. Its been suggested that the antioxidant effects of silymarin may have some anticancer effects, which could be helpful for people receiving cancer treatment (9). WebMost commonly, milk thistle was thought to be good for treating disorders of the liver and gallbladder. Blessed thistle tea can be made by steeping 1 to 3 teaspoons of the dried herb in one cup of hot water for 10 minutes. However, many of the studies are small and have methodological flaws, which makes it difficult to give firm guidance on this supplement or confirm its effects (46). Some studies found improvements in liver function, while others did not. Thus, women on oral contraceptives who take milk thistle supplements may want to include a barrier method into their pregnancy prevention plans. 13) Red Blood Cells. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. May ease depression and help prevent postpartum baby blues and postpartum depression. 2. More research is needed to confirm these results and the safety of milk thistle for breastfeeding mothers (38, 39, 40). How much Milk Thistle do you recommend? balance. 2006;20(2):115-119. It can help prevent elevation of liver enzymes, which can be a side effect of the medication. Milk thistle is sold as an oral capsule, tablet and liquid extract. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Milk thistle is widely used in the treatment of viral hepatitis (particularly hepatitis C), however, studies show mixed results. Milk thistle. Silymarin also protects new liver cells from being destroyed by these same toxins. This content does not have an English version. 2016 Jun; 10(6): 921-37. To ensure better quality and safety, stick with well-known supplements manufacturers with an established market presence. Has anyone worked with milk thistle while pregnant? Although a number of animal studies demonstrate that milk thistle can be helpful in protecting the liver, results in human studies are mixed. Chem.2008;51(16):5143-47. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The leaves are wide with white blotches or veins. When fenugreek is also taken, blessed thistle appears to work even better. Lancet Oncol. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use. Milk thistle (silymarin) is a flowering herb related to the daisy and ragweed family. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant. J. Med. Liver disease can be life threatening. However, this review also noted that the quality of the studies was not very high, so more studies are needed before its possible to make any firm recommendations (44). Meredith Shur, MD, FACOG, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as a certified medical examiner. How to Increase Breast Milk Supply With Galactagogues, How to Rebuild or Increase Your Breast Milk Supply, Alfalfa, Breastfeeding, and Increasing Breast Milk Supply, Exclusively Pumping Breast Milk for Your Baby, Herbs and Medications That Increase Breast Milk Production, Benefits of Ginger for Breastfeeding Moms, 16 Ways to Naturally Increase Your Breast Milk Supply, How to Increase Breast Milk Supply by Pumping, The Constituents and Pharmacology of Cnicus Benedictus - A Review, Clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of BIO-C (micronized Silymarin) as a galactagogue, The antimicrobial activity of the Cnicus benedictus L. extracts, Cytotoxicity of six South African medicinal plant extracts used in the treatment of cancer, An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. There are no known adverse effects for milk thistle, making it safe to consume during pregnancy and while nursing*. *As always, check with a care provider with extensive knowledge in herbs to make sure its good for your situation. How much Milk Thistle do you recommend? Longe, J., ed. Experts believe silymarin is the primary active ingredient of the herb. (I took fenugreek, blessed thistle and domperidone, managed to nurse him until 18 months but had to pump relentlessly and POST PARTUM GALLSTONES OR GALLBLADDER ISSUESFirstly I went into this very blindly, not knowing what a gallbladder was or that I had one ( yes I did not do biology in school) Never knew that you can have issues postpartum. For example, one review found that silymarin may extend the life expectancy of people with cirrhosis due to alcohol-related liver disease, possibly by protecting the liver from free radicals produced during alcohol metabolism (11). Anticancer potential of silymarin: from bench to bed side. 2010;36(5):1053-1060. Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) is a plant that naturally supports hormone balance and is considered by herbalists to be one of the best plant allies for liver health. How to Stop Morning Sickness Before it Starts - Mother's Niche, 3 Ways to Simplify Your Life that Have Nothing to Do with Your Stuff, How to create a capsule wardrobe for kids, Herbs for Mama: Ladys Mantle Shalom Mama - [] for Mama: Lady's Mantle This is second in a series on Herbs for Mama. Blessed thistle is more likely to work when there is an increase in breast stimulation. There are no other food sources of this herb. However, few studies back these claims (1). Learn more about natural remedies for type 2 diabetes. Antivir Ther. Group Leaders arent expected to spend any additional time in the community, and are not held to a set schedule. Recent research has explored the use of milk thistle. Research has also explored its potential to protect against neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, diabetes, and heart disease (1, 3). Milk thistle is doubly effective postpartum in that it helps to keep emotions on an even keel and even lift depression. There is a problem with If youre pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before using milk thistle. This product comes in the alcohol version only, as the Milk Thistle Seed will not give its medicinal properties up to anything less potent than alcohol. Second time I thought Id try drinking BLACK CHERRY JUICE!! Its unclear what benefits, if any, it may have in the body, but its sometimes used as a natural treatment for things including cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis, and gallbladder disorders. Wu, B.; Jin, G.; and Chen, J. The same applies to blessed thistle supplements and tinctures. 2009;121(2):185-193. Learning about it as a pregnant woman made me even more excited to get some and put its many healing benefits to work. Silybum marianum (milk thistle). The thing is, emotionally I couldn't let it go that I could have done something to cause this problem in my baby, and I beat myself up for a very long time about it. When I first read about milk thistle, I couldnt believe that I had gone so long without it. J Ehtnopharmacol. The following is a milk thistle tea for use during pregnancy to treat morning sickness. Additionally, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of milk thistle may also be useful for reducing the risk of developing diabetic complications like kidney disease (43). Herbal remedies are not strictly regulated in the United States. in pregnant women. Blessed Thistle is often used in teas for nursing mothers to help increase milk supply. Milk thistle is a plant with white-veined leaves that has traditionally been used to treat liver issues and stimulate breast milk production, among other applications. These can include: Bloating Cramping Nausea Gas Increased thirst Loose or watery stools Diarrhea or more frequent bowel movements Some of the more serious side effects that warrant a call to your doctor right away include: Herbal teas have a wide variety of tastes, flavors and even health benefits. The same effect may be extended to common fungal infection as well. 10. Milk thistle can be taken as a tincture, extract or capsule. Milk thistle is native to the Mediterranean region. Accessed Oct. 30, 2020. Its name comes from the milky white veins on the leaves and the white sap they produce when broken. 2001;7(3):36-47. A few studies show that a silymarin-phosphatidylcholine complex may be absorbed more easily than regular standardized milk thistle. As blood travels through the liver, Mayer KE, Myers RP, Lee SS. Accessed Oct. 30, 2020. Blessed thistle, also known as holy thistle, has been used since the Middle Ages to treat bubonic plague, promote digestive health and prevent infection. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). What to Expect supports Group Black and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media ownership. Theres also speculation that milk thistle extracts and isolated forms of silymarin can improve markers of inflammation and liver damage in people with certain liver diseases, although studies have been inconclusive (3, 12, 13). Milk thistle has few reported side effects, the most common being diarrhea. Take it as directed on the label. Molecular mechanisms of inhibition of photocarcinogenesis by silymarin, a phytochemical from milk thistle (Silybum marianum L. Clin Cancer Res. In fact, a recent review and analysis found that people routinely taking silymarin experienced a significant reduction in their fasting blood sugar levels and HbA1c, a measure of blood sugar control (44). It is native to Mediterranean countries. Studies have shown improvements in liver function in people with liver diseases who have taken a milk thistle supplement, suggesting it could help reduce liver inflammation and liver damage (9). It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. There is no standardized dosage or recommended intake for milk thistle tea, but its generally considered safe if consumed in moderation. Zielinska-Przyjemska M, Wiktorowicz K. An in vitro study of the protective effect of the flavonoid silydianin against reactive oxygen species. Cancer Lett. In test-tube and animal studies, silymarin has been shown to prevent oxidative damage to brain cells, which could help prevent mental decline (16, 17). However, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have diabetes, or have allergies to plants in the same plant family, you should use caution or avoid milk thistle tea. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Milk thistle may interfere with the following medications, because both milk thistle and these medications are broken down by the same liver enzymes: Agarwal R, Agarwal C, Ichikawa H, Singh RP, Aggarwal BB. This is great for cleansing the liver. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. All rights reserved. milk thistle safe or not during pregnancy: Ive been taking milk thistle for 2 yrs as i have a fatty liver. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press. Hoffmann, David. To ensure quality and potency in your herbal remedies, why not grow your own? Group Black's collective includes Essence, The Shade Room and Naturally Curly. There are no known adverse effects for milk thistle, making it safe to consume during pregnancy and while nursing*. Donna Murray, RN, BSN has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rutgers University and is a current member of Sigma Theta Tau, the Nursing Honor Society. CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. Has anyone here heard of bump dust prenatal protein? Summary Milk thistle may increase breast milk production in women who are lactating, though very little research has been done to confirm its effects. WebWhile milk thistle has been traditionally used in pregnant and breastfeeding women, its safety is unknown. Either way, I highly suggest getting your herbs from a trusted herb store like Mountain Rose Herbs. Read our, What Research Tells Us About Blessed Thistle. While it is unknown how potent this effect is, particularly when taken by mouth, the results lend further credence to the use of blessed thistle as a topical antibacterial. If you have breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis or uterine fibroids, consider avoiding milk thistle. While blessed thistle is presumed to be safe for nursing mothers, it may stimulate uterine contractions and should be avoided during pregnancy. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Some people have reported nausea, gas, diarrhea, or loss of appetite. Best Milk Thistle Supplement: Future Kind Milk Thistle Seed Liver Cleanse. Rotblatt M, Ziment I. Evidence-Based Herbal Medicine. Research on milk thistle use for specific conditions shows: Milk thistle might play a role in treating certain liver conditions. Milk thistle tea is made from an herb with milky, white-veined leaves. A study of alternative health care use for gastrointestinal disorders. Get the facts on milk thistle for the liver. Silymarin for HCV infection. 3rd ed. A regular dose of the organic herb appears to be safe. 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