Milk Thistle: Benefits, uses, and precautions

What is milk thistle?

A plant rich in compounds

Milk thistle is the English name for chardon-Marie, a plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. Its scientific name is Silybum marianum.

The plant is easily recognizable by its purple flowers and its leaves often marked with white veins. Its fruits are particularly interesting when considering the composition of milk thistle.

Traditionally, various preparations of this plant are used. Milk thistle can be found in the form of ground plants, powder or extract, but also in certain preparations intended for consumption as a herbal tea.

This diversity explains why two products simply labeled "milk thistle" can have different compositions.

What is silymarin?

Silymarin is a group of plant compounds naturally present in milk thistle fruits.

Among these compounds, silybin is particularly well-studied.

The quantity and composition of the constituents can vary depending on the part used, the manufacturing process, and the product form.

What are the benefits of Milk Thistle?

Milk thistle is a plant rich in compounds. This plant is known for having many benefits for the body:

• Helps maintain heart health.
• Supports liver health.
• Protection against the action of free radicals caused by stress, UV exposure, or polluted environmental conditions.

Different forms of Milk Thistle

Milk thistle tea

The term milk thistle tea refers to a milk thistle preparation in the form of a herbal tea. This form may appeal to people who wish to consume the plant in a traditional form rather than as a capsule or extract.

Milk thistle tea can be prepared from parts of the plant intended for infusion.

However, it should be kept in mind that a herbal tea and a concentrated extract are not necessarily comparable. The quantity of compounds present in an infusion depends on the raw material used and the preparation. Therefore, it should not be assumed that a cup of milk thistle tea automatically provides the same amount of silymarin as a standardized dietary supplement.

Organic milk thistle

The term organic milk thistle may be sought after by people who wish to prioritize a plant from organic farming. However, organic does not automatically mean that a product contains more silymarin or that it has a superior effect.

When choosing a milk thistle product, several elements can be checked on the label:

• the botanical name Silybum marianum,
• the part of the plant used,
• the form of the product,
• the quantity of plant or extract,
• the silymarin content when indicated,
• the usage recommendations,
• the precautions for use,
• the complete list of ingredients,
• information related to the manufacturer and traceability.

Label transparency is particularly important when it comes to a dietary supplement. A clearly presented product allows for a better understanding of what is actually consumed.

Milk Thistle: Side Effects

The fact that a plant is natural does not necessarily mean that it is suitable for everyone.

Milk thistle is generally considered well-tolerated when consumed orally, but rare adverse effects can occur in some individuals.

• Bloating
• Dermatological symptoms (1)

Before consuming milk thistle, especially in the form of a dietary supplement or concentrated extract, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional to ensure that its use is appropriate for your situation. This precaution is particularly important in case of medical treatment or regular medication intake.

Milk Thistle, benefits, uses and precautions: In summary

Milk Thistle, or chardon-Marie, is a plant known notably for its silymarin content. Traditionally used for liver health, it exists in various forms: dietary supplement, extract, powder, or herbal tea.

Its interesting properties should, however, be considered with nuance: milk thistle does not replace a healthy lifestyle.

Before starting a Milk Thistle supplement, it is recommended to seek advice from a healthcare professional.