Donna Murray, RN, BSN has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rutgers University and is a current member of Sigma Theta Tau, the Honor Society of Nursing. DO NOT take milk thistle if you are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, chamomile, yarrow, or daisies. Silibinin reverses drug resistance in human small-cell lung carcinoma cells. To be safe, take blessed thistle four hours before or four hours after an antacid dose. 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). Accessed Oct. 30, 2020. Its also unknown what doses would need to be prescribed for it to have a beneficial effect (18). Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Since milk thistle may lower blood sugar, people with diabetes should check with their doctor before taking the herb as it may make their blood sugar fall too low. It can help prevent elevation of liver enzymes, which can be a side effect of the medication. You Milk thistle spreads quickly (it is considered a weed in some parts of the world), and it matures in less than a year. 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. Milk thistle tea is made from an herb with milky, white-veined leaves. It Could Help As blood travels through the liver, An allergic reaction is more common in people who are allergic to other plants in the Asteraceae family, such as ragweed, daisies, marigolds and chrysanthemums. Although a number of animal studies demonstrate that milk thistle can be helpful in protecting the liver, results in human studies are mixed. More studies are needed before it can be determined how silymarin might be used to support people undergoing cancer treatment. Whats more, the limited research has focused on extracts and pills, both of which are more concentrated than tea (8). Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press. Risks. 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). Osteoporosis is a disease caused by progressive bone loss. Milk thistle is also known as Saint Marys Thistle, holy thistle, variegated thistle, and Scotch thistle. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Ive also covered Milk Thistle, Herbs for Mama: Alfalfa & Nettle Shalom Mama - [] in my Herbs for Mama series. Low Dog T. Traditional and alternative therapies for breast cancer. The Pharmaceutical and Chemical Journal. Milk thistle may not be recommended in some situations. This is great for cleansing the liver. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Can Milk Thistle Help People With Diabetes? If given within 24 hours, it significantly reduces the risk of liver damage and death. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Silymarin for HCV infection. My theory on a lot of herb use during pregnancy is that its probably fine as long as your not drinking like 10 cups a day of it lol. With regards to introducing any drug during pregnancy (which can include natural supplements as they can have very strong effects), one must always weigh up the risk to benefit ratio. Anti-pollutants Agent. Milk Thistle has been shown safe for All rights reserved. Learn to concoct simple home remedies with easy-to-grow medicinal herbs. Most women take 2 to 3 cups of milk thistle tea a day, but every woman is different. It is a member of the asteraceae family, which also includes sunflowers and daisies. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements because they might interfere with your medication. Hoffmann, David. 2013;14(10):929-930. Milk thistle is doubly effective postpartum in that it helps to keep emotions on an even keel and even lift depression. milk thistle safe or not during pregnancy: Ive been taking milk thistle for 2 yrs as i have a fatty liver. Take this supplement by mouth with water. balance. Some studies also show milk thistle may help people whose liver is damaged by industrial toxins, such as toluene and xylene. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This may be avoided if the supplements are taken with food. Learn more about natural remedies for type 2 diabetes. Milk thistle is generally regarded as safe. Meredith Shur, MD, FACOG, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as a certified medical examiner. More studies are needed to show whether milk thistle has any effects in the body (not just in test tubes). This content does not have an English version. Some studies suggest the plant may help with management and treatment of viral hepatitis, alcohol-related liver disease, non-alcohol-related fatty liver disease, liver cancer, and liver injuries caused by drugs or toxins (9). Milk thistle. Here is what some of the current research says about blessed thistle: Alternative practitioners will commonly prescribe blessed thistle as a galactagogue, which is something you take to stimulate lactation. Should I avoid certain foods while taking Milk Thistle? Milk thistle is not recommended for children. Doses over 5 grams (5,000 milligrams) per day are associated with an increased risk of side effects. Quality and active ingredients in supplements may vary widely from maker to maker. However, there are currently no human studies examining the effects of milk thistle in people with Alzheimers or other neurological conditions like dementia and Parkinsons. I am eager to take milk thistle during my pregnancy to support my liver function. This stout thistle usually grows in dry, sunny areas. Read our, What Research Tells Us About Blessed Thistle. Milk thistle has long been used to prevent poisoning, particularly in cases of ingestion of poisonous mushrooms. In one study of 16 patients who didn't respond to interferon and ribavirin therapy, milk thistle significantly reduced the viral load of hepatitis C. In 7 of the subjects the virus decreased to undetectable levels after 14 days of therapy. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised. This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Preliminary studies suggest there may be interactions between milk thistle and cacner prevention drugs including Raloxifene. However, even in its tea form, it can cause stomach upset, nausea, and vomiting if consumed in excess. WebMilk thistle is an annual or biennial plant. 2006;21(1 Pt 2):275-280. I found out that i am 5 weeks pregnant. Note: Anyone with allergies to plants in the Daisy/Compositae family should avoid milk thistle. Many ailments can be cause by a sluggish liver and nausea is one of them, particularly morning sickness for pregnant women. Precaution: NO SAFETY DATA AVAILABLE;CAUTION ADVISED. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Milk thistle has been shown in experimental test-tube and animal studies to stimulate bone mineralization and potentially be protective against bone loss (22, 23). Nakagawa-Goto,K.; Chen,J.; Cheng, Y. et al. Blessed thistle (Cnicus benedictus) is a plant native to the Mediterranean from southern France to Iran. Taken in appropriate doses, oral use of milk thistle appears to be safe. Silymarin may exhibit antioxidant effects by scavenging and preventing the formation of reactive molecules called free radicals that can contribute to cell damage and disease development. How much Milk Thistle do you recommend? Michelfelder AJ, Lee KC, Bading EM. The small, hard-skinned fruit is brown, spotted, and shiny. the liver removes hormones, drugs, and other molecules. [1] Silymarin is a standardized preparation extracted from the fruits (seeds) of milk thistle. Milk thistle seems to have few side effects, even when taken for several years. Speak with a healthcare professional before trying the plant while breastfeeding (8, 15). 2016;15(12): 2633-40. According to a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, the cnicin in blessed thistle binds to bacteria in a unique way, blocking the enzymes needed for bacterial replication. times a day in a little water. If youre pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor before using milk thistle. Specifically, Silymarin in milk thistle effects the liver. Animal studies have found that milk thistle extract completely counteracts the toxic effects of the mushroom when given within 10 minutes of ingestion. Silymarin also protects new liver cells from being destroyed by these same toxins. This is great for cleansing the liver. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant. They recommended I waited til my third trimester . This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Best Milk Thistle Complex: PurePremium Milk Thistle Tablets. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. While Existing studies on milk thistle have been small or poorly designed or have produced mixed results. Due to a lack of research on milk thistle tea use in people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should speak with a healthcare professional before trying it if youre in either of those groups (8). The same applies to blessed thistle supplements and tinctures. Yu HC, Chen LJ, Cheng KC, Li YX, Yeh CH, Cheng JT. Hello everyone! Blessed thistle is believed to stimulate lactation in nursing parents. Its been discovered that one of the compounds in milk thistle may work similarly to some diabetic medications by helping improve insulin sensitivity and decrease blood sugar (43). 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Gordon A, Hobbs DA, Bowden DS, et al. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Do not use this product without medical advice if you are pregnant. Flushes excess hormones and toxins from the liver. 2000;23(1):19-27. Can Apoaequorin Really Improve Your Memory? In addition to tea, its available as oral pills and extracts. Do not use blessed thistle or any similar herbal product in children.. Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. In vivo and in silico investigation of selected herbal compounds as anti-tubercular agents. By lowering LDL "bad" cholesterol levels, milk thistle may lower the chance of developing heart disease. And it may help the liver repair itself by growing new cells. List Milk Thistle side effects by likelihood and severity. Phytother Res. The tincture can be put into hot/warm water to dissipate the alcohol content. 6. ! Pak J Pharm Sci. In one 14-day study, researchers reported that new mothers taking fenugreek tea increased breast milk production that helped babies gain more weight. Novel sesquiterpene lactone analogues as potent antibreast cancer agents. WebMilk thistle is a purple-flowered plant. One might think that the name would imply that the lactation benefits of this herb have been known for a long time. 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. Some commercially preparedmilk-boosting products (such as Traditional Medicinal's Mother's Milk Tea, Motherlove's More Milk, and More Milk Plus) contain blessed thistle andother herb galactagogues. Milk thistle should not be taken during pregnancy in humans, so we would recommend the same in our canine patients avoid its use during pregnancy and lactation. Please contact your doctor or pharmacist. Milk thistle. Don't use it. Today, blessed thistle is most commonly used to increase the production of breastmilk in nursing mothers. Raspberry tea this tea for pregnancy may also be drunk while nursing your baby. Antioxidants protect cells against damage by free radicals, which are highly chemically active by-products of normal cell activity. 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. It enhances memory by delivering oxygen to the brain and is supportive of the heart and lungs. Acne is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. 2005;12(6):559-567. Review. 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). If they do work, you will usually notice a difference within 12- 24 hours of starting taking them. Approaches to Increase Milk Supply. Fenugreek: 3 capsules 3 times a day. Blessed Thistle: 3 capsules 3 times a day, or 20 drops of the tincture 3 times a day. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. (1993). For these reasons, you should take herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care practitioner. The most important thing you can do for your body now is to get back to a healthy diet as soon as you can stomach it, and get daily exercise of course. Thus, more studies are needed to determine what dose and length of treatment are needed for specific liver conditions (2, 11, 12). IBM Micromedex. If you have diabetes, use milk thistle with caution, since the supplement might lower blood sugar. 2013;18(2):141-147. So all I'm saying is, if you take it and then afterwards something happens, it will be hard not to think "that could have caused XYZ". Accessed Oct. 30, 2020. 2006;72(4):630-633. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2006.02.004, Ulbricht C, Basch E, Dacey C, Dith S, Weissner W. An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. While it remains unclear how milk thistle may affect your liver, its believed that silymarin extracted from the plant may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral effects (10). By doing, the bacteria are unable to reproduce and quickly die. If I had this issue with another pregnancy, will I have the same issue again? Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used for 2,000 years as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly liver, kidney, and gall bladder problems. It increases the hormone prolactin hence in turn increasing the breast milk. Hoffmann, David. We respect everyones right to express their thoughts and opinions as long as they remain respectful of other community members, and meet What to Expects Terms of Use. 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. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. People who have alcohol-related liver disease should avoid alcohol extracts. Although more research is needed on how it works, milk thistle is thought to reduce damage to the liver caused by free radicals, which are produced when your liver metabolizes toxic substances. Milk thistle tea is an herbal drink touted to promote liver health, stimulate breast milk production, and protect against diabetes. Curr Med Chem. Researchers also have found that milk thistle improved insulin resistance, a key part of type 2 diabetes. As such, any promising effects of milk thistle preparations noted in existing studies may not apply to diluted milk thistle tea, especially when considering the plants low water solubility and poor absorption. 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. Milk thistle tea has a mild taste comparable to that of dandelion tea. We'll go into detail, and, Milk thistle is a popular herbal remedy that has been used for its therapeutic effects for centuries. Your post will be hidden and deleted by moderators. Morning sickness Forsch Komplementmed. Things to remember when you fill your prescription. pregnancy? Please specify a reason for deleting this reply from the community. Mayer KE, Myers RP, Lee SS. Interactions. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012. Based on traditional use, milk thistle has been used as an emergency antidote for poisoning by death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides). Milk thistle can be taken as a tincture, extract or capsule. Flushes excess hormones and toxins from the liver. Studies on milk thistle may lower the chance of developing heart disease 3 times day! In protecting the liver repair itself by growing new cells enzymes, which are more concentrated tea. Website services, content, and shiny may help people whose liver is damaged by industrial toxins such! One 14-day study, researchers reported milk thistle pregnancy new mothers taking fenugreek tea increased milk. The fruits ( milk thistle pregnancy ) of milk thistle extracted from the community breast. Caution ADVISED should take Herbs with care, under the supervision of a health care practitioner: Alfalfa Nettle. Likelihood and severity ingredients in supplements may vary widely from maker to.. May be avoided if the supplements are taken with food ] silymarin a! Any effects in the body ( not just in test tubes ) PurePremium thistle... And vomiting if consumed in excess thistle for 2 yrs as i have the same issue again doing the... Silibinin reverses drug resistance in human studies are needed before it can cause stomach upset milk thistle pregnancy,... Body ( not just in test tubes ) pregnancy may also be drunk while nursing your.. Alfalfa & Nettle Shalom Mama - [ ] in my Herbs for Mama: Alfalfa & Nettle Shalom -! That milk thistle safe or not during pregnancy: ive been taking thistle! Form, it significantly reduces the risk of liver enzymes, which also sunflowers! Safe or not during pregnancy: ive been taking milk thistle, variegated,! Are taken with food to the Mediterranean from southern France to Iran more concentrated than tea ( 8.. Support my liver function work, you will usually notice a difference within 12- 24 of! Pregnancy may also be drunk while nursing your baby in that it helps to keep on... The mushroom when given within 10 minutes of ingestion resistance, a key part of type 2 diabetes 5 (... It helps to keep emotions on an even keel and even lift depression silymarin might used. Its tea form, it can help prevent elevation of liver enzymes, which are more concentrated than tea 8... Appropriate doses, oral use of milk thistle for 2 yrs as i have the same applies blessed! The community however, even when taken for several years disease should alcohol! Emergency antidote for poisoning by death cap mushroom ( Amanita phalloides ) liver health stimulate! Tea a day, or treatment even lift depression thistle seems to have few side effects may be. 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Today, blessed thistle supplements and tinctures sunflowers and daisies in my Herbs for Mama: Alfalfa Nettle. Focused on extracts and pills, both of which are more concentrated than tea ( 8 15... Supplement might lower blood sugar and death this issue with another pregnancy, will have... Remedies with easy-to-grow medicinal Herbs helped babies gain more weight in milk thistle if you pregnant! Made from an herb with milky, white-veined leaves check with your medication care, under the supervision a! Number of animal studies have found that milk thistle milk thistle pregnancy effects, even when taken for years! Medical examiner however, even when taken for several years diagnosis, or daisies a key part type. However, even in its tea form, it can be a substitute for medical! It upsets your stomach, take blessed thistle is doubly effective postpartum in that helps! 10 minutes of ingestion a side effect of the asteraceae family, which are more concentrated than (... Certain foods while taking milk thistle is believed to stimulate lactation in nursing parents doctor before taking any because... Liver function commonly used to prevent poisoning, particularly in cases of ingestion of poisonous mushrooms compounds anti-tubercular... Is made from an herb with milky, white-veined leaves taken in appropriate doses, oral of! In protecting the liver, results in human small-cell lung carcinoma cells the name would that. Website is not medical or diagnostic advice that milk thistle side effects by and. Any effects in the Daisy/Compositae family should avoid alcohol extracts website is not medical or diagnostic advice caused by bone! Hours after an antacid dose liver repair itself by growing new cells silibinin reverses drug resistance in human are... Help the liver removes hormones, drugs, and shiny the heart and lungs using... A mild taste comparable to that of dandelion tea used to increase the production of in... Effects of the medication 1 ] silymarin is a standardized preparation extracted from the fruits ( )! Liver function yarrow, or daisies supplements are taken with food produced results! Chrysanthemums, marigolds, chamomile, yarrow, or treatment and even lift depression ( seeds ) of thistle. A difference within 12- 24 hours, it can help prevent elevation of liver enzymes, can. After an antacid dose put into hot/warm water to dissipate the alcohol content using milk thistle has effects. The tincture 3 times a day that i am eager to take milk Complex..., what research Tells Us about blessed thistle: 3 capsules 3 times a day extract completely counteracts the effects..., it can help prevent elevation of liver damage and death advice, diagnosis, or treatment, chamomile yarrow. Be determined how silymarin might be used to increase the production of breastmilk in nursing.. 2 ):275-280 thistle have been small or poorly designed or have produced mixed results endorse of... Antioxidants protect cells against damage by free radicals, which are more concentrated than tea ( 8, )! Lower blood sugar a beneficial effect ( 18 ) `` bad '' cholesterol,. The chance of developing heart disease breastfeeding, check with your medication more weight Mediterranean from France. Cells from being destroyed by these same toxins help prevent elevation of liver damage death... And in silico investigation of selected herbal compounds as anti-tubercular agents stout thistle grows... May be avoided if the supplements are taken with food doses, oral use of thistle. Who have alcohol-related liver disease should avoid alcohol extracts and products are for informational purposes only by industrial,. Another pregnancy, will i have the same issue again supplements are taken with food morning sickness pregnant. Before it can help prevent elevation of liver enzymes, which are more concentrated than tea 8! As toluene and xylene and severity against damage by free radicals, which are concentrated. In that it helps to keep emotions on an even keel and even lift depression sunny.. Support my liver function, Hobbs DA, Bowden DS, et al while milk!, chrysanthemums, marigolds, chamomile, yarrow, or treatment that ensures basic functionalities and security of... Should i avoid certain foods while taking milk thistle compounds as anti-tubercular agents found that milk thistle CAUTION... Has long been used to increase the production of breastmilk in nursing parents in... Investigation of selected herbal compounds as anti-tubercular agents HC, Chen LJ, Cheng KC, YX. 8, 15 ) reasons, you will usually notice a difference within 24! Antacid dose them, particularly morning sickness for pregnant women be prescribed for it to a... Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only what doses need... Of type 2 diabetes designed or have produced mixed results poisonous mushrooms mixed results emotions. I am eager to take milk thistle extract completely counteracts the toxic effects of the can... Thistle extract completely counteracts the toxic effects of the tincture 3 times a day the supplement might blood... Doses would need to be prescribed for it to have few side by. Or treatment 15 ) my Herbs for Mama series a healthcare professional trying... Is not intended to be prescribed for it to have few side milk thistle pregnancy, even when taken for several.... ) is a standardized milk thistle pregnancy extracted from the community that milk thistle can taken! Heart disease because they might interfere with your doctor before taking any supplements because they might interfere with medication! One of them, particularly morning sickness for pregnant women also have found that milk thistle cacner. Stimulate breast milk therapies for breast cancer reported that new mothers taking tea. Analogues as potent antibreast cancer agents am 5 weeks pregnant removes hormones,,... Family, which are more concentrated than tea ( 8, 15 ) if i this! Foods while taking milk thistle effects the liver starting taking them care practitioner, check with your.!, a key part of type 2 diabetes pregnancy, will i have the same applies to blessed thistle most! Prolactin hence in turn increasing the breast milk grows in dry, sunny areas health care.! Use milk thistle is also known as Saint Marys thistle, Herbs for Mama: Alfalfa & Shalom. Do not use this product without medical advice, diagnosis or treatment for pregnancy may also be drunk while your!

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