Milk Thistle

Description

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) is a traditional herbal remedy widely recognized for its hepatoprotective effects. Its primary active component, a flavonoid complex known as silymarin, comprises several compounds, including silybin, which are believed to be responsible for its therapeutic benefits. This herb has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to support liver health. Silymarin acts as a powerful antioxidant, helping to protect liver cells from damage caused by toxins, free radicals, and inflammation. It can also aid in regenerating liver cells and supporting the liver's natural detoxification processes. Beyond liver support, Milk Thistle exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, potentially benefiting overall cellular health. Commonly available as an extract, capsule, or tea, Milk Thistle is often sought by individuals looking to support liver function, especially those exposed to environmental toxins or seeking general wellness. Its broad-spectrum antioxidant capabilities make it a valuable botanical for holistic health.

Sources
Native to the Mediterranean regionCultivated in various parts of the world
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Timing & Intake
AnytimeWith food
Often recommended to be taken with meals for better absorption and to minimize potential digestive discomfort.
Optimal Dosage
Minimum150 mg
Maximum300 mg
Safety & Toxicity
Interactions

Positive Interactions

Vitamin C
Provides synergistic antioxidant effects, enhancing cellular protection against oxidative stress.
Vitamin E
Offers synergistic antioxidant benefits, particularly in protecting cell membranes from damage.
Selenium
Functions as an antioxidant and supports detoxification pathways, complementing milk thistle's liver support.
Gluthathione
Milk thistle may help support the body's natural glutathione levels, a major antioxidant crucial for liver detoxification.
Curcumin
Both are potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents, potentially offering enhanced protection against cellular damage and supporting liver health.
Choline
Essential for liver health and fat metabolism, it can complement milk thistle's liver protective actions.
Green Tea
Contains catechins with antioxidant properties, which can synergize with silymarin in protecting cells from oxidative stress.
Coenzyme Q-10
A potent antioxidant that can enhance cellular energy production and protect cells from oxidative damage, synergistic with Milk Thistle's antioxidant effects.

Negative Interactions

Caffeine
Milk thistle may inhibit liver enzymes (CYP1A2) responsible for caffeine metabolism, potentially leading to increased caffeine levels and effects.
Melatonin
Milk thistle may affect the metabolism of melatonin by inhibiting certain liver enzymes (CYP1A2, CYP2C19), potentially altering its effects.
St. John's Wort
Both ingredients can influence liver enzymes (e.g., CYP3A4) but with potentially opposing effects, which could lead to unpredictable alterations in the metabolism of other compounds.
Product stats
Price per product
Average$25.75
Median$22.99
Price per serving
Average$0.63
Median$0.44
Price per 100 mg
Average$0.54
Median$0.17
Price distribution
Price per serving distribution
Price per 100 mg
Reference amount: 100 mg
Forms
Paired ingredients
Ingredient forms
Silymarin (43)90
Silymarin is a complex of flavonolignans (silybin A, silybin B, isosilybin A, isosilybin B, silychristin, silydianin) extracted from the seeds of the milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum). It is the most well-studied component and is recognized for its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties, particularly in supporting liver health and detoxification pathways.
Pros
  • Most active and well-researched compound of milk thistle.
  • Potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Directly supports liver cell protection and regeneration.
  • Often standardized for consistent dosing.
Cons
  • Can have poor bioavailability in its unformulated state.
  • May be more expensive than whole extracts.
Per product
Avg$27.13
Med$26.96
Per serving
Avg$0.56
Med$0.51
Per 100 mg
Avg$0.16
Med$0.10
Price distribution
Silymarin Flavonoids (6)88
Silymarin flavonoids encompass the various flavonoid compounds present in milk thistle, with the silymarin complex (including silybin, silychristin, and silydianin) being the most significant. These compounds work synergistically to exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protective effects, contributing to the plant's overall therapeutic benefits for liver health and detoxification.
Pros
  • Represents the key active components of milk thistle.
  • Comprehensive benefits from the complex of compounds.
  • Supports liver health and antioxidant defense.
Cons
  • Bioavailability challenges similar to unformulated silymarin.
  • The term 'Flavonoids' can be slightly broader, potentially less precise than 'Silymarin' alone depending on standardization.
Per product
Avg$17.55
Med$19.17
Per serving
Avg$0.30
Med$0.24
Per 100 mg
Avg$0.10
Med$0.08
Price distribution
Milk Thistle fruit extract (3)85
Milk Thistle Fruit Extract refers to a preparation derived from the mature fruits (which are technically achenes, commonly known as seeds) of the milk thistle plant. This extract is highly valued for its silymarin content, a complex of flavonolignans known for its significant hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory actions. It is widely used to support liver function, aid in detoxification processes, and protect against liver damage.
Pros
  • Concentrated and potent source of active silymarin.
  • Often standardized for consistent efficacy.
  • Supports liver regeneration and antioxidant defense.
Cons
  • Terminology 'fruit' may occasionally cause botanical confusion.
  • Bioavailability can be a factor if not specifically formulated.
Per product
Avg$8.00
Med$8.00
Per serving
Avg$0.25
Med$0.25
Per 100 mg
Avg$0.03
Med$0.03
Price distribution
Milk Thistle Fruit Extract (3)85
Milk Thistle Fruit Extract refers to a preparation derived from the mature fruits (which are technically achenes, commonly known as seeds) of the milk thistle plant. This extract is highly valued for its silymarin content, a complex of flavonolignans known for its significant hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory actions. It is widely used to support liver function, aid in detoxification processes, and protect against liver damage.
Pros
  • Concentrated and potent source of active silymarin.
  • Often standardized for consistent efficacy.
  • Supports liver regeneration and antioxidant defense.
Cons
  • Terminology 'fruit' may occasionally cause botanical confusion.
  • Bioavailability can be a factor if not specifically formulated.
Per product
Avg$8.00
Med$8.00
Per serving
Avg$0.25
Med$0.25
Per 100 mg
Avg$0.03
Med$0.03
Price distribution
Milk Thistle Seed Extract (3)85
Milk Thistle Seed Extract is obtained by processing the seeds of Silybum marianum to concentrate its beneficial compounds. These extracts are typically standardized to contain a certain percentage of silymarin (e.g., 70-80%), which is the primary active complex responsible for the plant's liver-protective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. The extraction process aims to provide a more potent and consistent dose of the active constituents compared to raw seed powder.
Pros
  • Concentrated form of beneficial compounds.
  • Often standardized for consistent silymarin content.
  • Offers a broader spectrum of phytochemicals from the seed.
Cons
  • Potency can vary if not explicitly standardized.
  • Still faces bioavailability challenges if not formulated for enhanced absorption.
Per product
Avg$8.00
Med$8.00
Per serving
Avg$0.25
Med$0.25
Per 100 mg
Avg$0.03
Med$0.03
Price distribution
Silybin (3)92
Silybin (also known as silybinin, a mixture of silybin A and silybin B) is the primary and most pharmacologically active constituent within the silymarin complex. It is responsible for the majority of milk thistle's hepatoprotective effects, including its strong antioxidant activity, ability to stabilize liver cell membranes, promote liver cell regeneration, and inhibit toxins from entering liver cells. Due to its superior activity, it is often isolated or concentrated in advanced milk thistle formulations.
Pros
  • Most active and potent component of silymarin.
  • Strongest evidence for liver protection and regeneration.
  • Often included in enhanced bioavailability formulations (e.g., phytosomes).
Cons
  • Naturally has poor bioavailability, often requiring specialized formulations for optimal absorption.
  • More expensive due to isolation and purification.
Per product
Avg$32.08
Med$27.49
Per serving
Avg$0.33
Med$0.38
Per 100 mg
Avg$0.05
Med$0.04
Price distribution
Silybum marianum (1)70
Silybum marianum is the scientific name for milk thistle, an herbaceous plant native to the Mediterranean region. When used as an ingredient, 'Silybum marianum' often refers to the dried herb, powdered seeds, or a non-standardized preparation. While it contains the active compounds like silymarin, the concentration and consistency of these compounds are generally lower and more variable compared to standardized extracts.
Pros
  • Represents the whole plant profile, including potential synergistic compounds.
  • Traditional form of usage.
Cons
  • Highly variable potency of active compounds (silymarin).
  • Requires larger doses for comparable effects to extracts.
  • Less effective for targeted therapeutic uses due to lower concentration.
Per product
Avg$22.99
Med$22.99
Per serving
Avg$0.38
Med$0.38
Per 100 mg
Avg$0.04
Med$0.04
Price distribution