This medicinal plant protects you against poisonings

Which active compounds make milk thistle so valuable for liver health?

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is also known as holy thistle, milk thistle, lady's thistle and silver thistle. Its special healing power lies in its seeds, which were already used as a liver remedy in the 18th century. To this day, this plant is primarily valued for its scientifically documented protective and regenerative effects on the liver. 

These properties are due to secondary plant compounds called flavonoids. The seeds of milk thistle contain a lipophilic extract with three isomeric flavonolignans: silybin A and B (= silibinin), silychristin and silydianin. Together they form the flavonoid complex known as silymarin, with silybin making up to 70% of the silymarin and considered the component with the highest biological activity. 

In addition, milk thistle contains other flavonolignans such as betaine and apigenin, up to 30% free fatty acids, about 30% protein and mucilages. All of these constituents contribute to the health-promoting effects of milk thistle.  

How does silymarin protect against liver damage from toxins and medications?

Milk thistle is a potent antioxidant that reduces oxidative stress and also stimulates the body's own antioxidant production. This promotes an increase in glutathione levels. 

Glutathione is the main antioxidant in our body, found in almost every cell and in particularly high concentrations in the liver. Viruses, bacteria, radiation, toxins and the normal ageing process accelerate the breakdown of glutathione, and the antioxidant action of silymarin can protect against this breakdown. It is no coincidence that glutathione is present in large amounts in the liver, since it plays a key role in the body's detoxification process. 

Studies show that silymarin from milk thistle seeds improves liver function and protects our liver from dangerous poisons. It blocks the binding sites of toxins, preventing them from entering liver cells, thereby avoiding liver damage. At the same time, silymarin supports better regeneration of the liver at the RNA and DNA level by promoting the formation of new healthy liver cells. It also inhibits the fibrotic transformation of liver cells, which is particularly important in non‑alcoholic fatty liver disease.

When taking medications such as paracetamol, milk thistle can partially protect against drug-induced damage.

For which conditions can milk thistle be used as a supportive treatment?

To some extent it also protects against the side effects of radiation therapy and alcohol. Taking milk thistle is beneficial as a complement to the treatment of viral hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. Furthermore, milk thistle has a choleretic effect and promotes gallbladder emptying, especially in combination with curcumin. 

Milk thistle supports the production of stomach acid, stimulates appetite and contains bitter and tannin compounds that, in synergy with silymarin, have positive effects on the digestive system in cases of irritable bowel, heartburn, stomach cramps and indigestion. In addition, silymarin can inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells and the metastasis of breast cancer cells, thereby supporting drug therapies and potentially reducing chemotherapy‑induced liver damage. 

What positive effects does milk thistle have on cholesterol and blood sugar?

Milk thistle plays an important role in maintaining cholesterol levels, which benefits vascular and heart health. According to several studies, silymarin from milk thistle seeds can inhibit the development of hypercholesterolaemia: it raises the “good” HDL cholesterol, lowers the “bad” LDL cholesterol, counteracts arterial calcification and thus helps to prevent strokes. The silibinin contained in milk thistle can, similarly to some antidiabetic drugs, lower the blood sugar level. 

How does milk thistle affect the immune system and brain function?

Some studies show that taking milk thistle seed extract can strengthen the immune system: it increases the levels of messenger substances that fight viruses and stimulate immunity, while ensuring that the immune response does not overreact. 

Due to its anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant properties, milk thistle is also neuroprotective and improves brain function.

Milk thistle: Best usage tips for health and well‑being

• Ground milk thistle seeds can be added to muesli, oats, yoghurt, soups, sauces or sprinkled over salads. Flavonoids in milk thistle are heat‑stable and are only slightly reduced by cooking.
• To benefit from the full effect of milk thistle, use high‑dose preparations standardized to 70–80% silymarin. These are taken several times daily. If this is not possible, take milk thistle products in the evening rather than in the morning, as the liver is particularly active at night.
• Pay attention to dosage: effective amounts are considered to be 200–400 mg of silymarin per day. For children, the dosage may vary between 80 and 320 mg of silymarin per day depending on medical advice. Avoid underdosed products which may be inexpensive but less effective. Since flavonoids are rapidly excreted and reach peak blood concentrations after about 2–4 hours, it is advisable to split the doses throughout the day.
• For liver damage due to toxins, take 800 mg of silymarin divided into four doses over two to five weeks. Discuss the dosage with your doctor if chronic conditions are present.
• For high cholesterol, take 200–600 mg of silymarin, divided into three doses over four months.
• For diabetes mellitus, 200 mg of silymarin once to three times daily for up to 12 months is recommended as an adjunct to conventional therapy.
• To benefit from the antioxidant properties of milk thistle, take 140 mg of silymarin daily for four weeks.
• Because silymarin is poorly water‑soluble, the active amounts in milk thistle tea are very low and insufficient for liver regeneration. However, the tea can be effective for digestive complaints such as bloating and fullness. Pour 1–2 teaspoons of ground or crushed seeds over 200 ml of hot water, let the infusion steep for ten minutes, strain and drink the tea three times daily 30 minutes before meals. The tea can be combined with artichoke, peppermint, dandelion, sage and verbena. You can mask its bitter taste with a little peppermint or licorice.
• When healing a damaged liver, dietary habits should also be changed. Better to eat a bit less than too much, prefer low‑fat and sugar‑free products and avoid alcohol, fast food and unnecessary medications. Fruit should be eaten on an empty stomach and on its own.
• For acne and eczema, apply milk thistle oil. It reduces symptoms due to its high content of skin‑protective nutrients such as linoleic acid, antioxidants and vitamin E.
• Rarely, side effects such as headaches, mild laxative effects or hypersensitivity reactions may occur. If you take medications, discuss the use and dosage of milk thistle preparations with your doctor. In the case of oestrogen‑dependent conditions such as endometriosis, milk thistle should be avoided.

With these tips you can benefit from the liver‑protective potential and all the other healing properties of milk thistle!