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Liver Essentials

4.8
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(970 ratings)
Milk Thistle 372 mg
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Score70
A broad, transparent blend covers several complementary pathways. Most supporting ingredients are modest and milk thistle potency is not standardized.
How scoring works
Capsule
Quantity:90 Capsule(s) • (45 servings)
Goals:
Detoxification

Score 70

A broad, transparent blend covers several complementary pathways. Most supporting ingredients are modest and milk thistle potency is not standardized.
How scoring works
$11.09($0.24 per serving)
iHerb
$ 13.59
Amazon
$ 13.59
iHerb
$ 11.09
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Analysis

The formula lists 372 mg milk thistle seed extract alongside dandelion, parsley, burdock, and black radish. NAC, betaine, and alpha-lipoic acid add non-botanical pathways, with every amount shown separately.

Many additions are modest, including 50 mg NAC, 50 mg betaine, and 20 mg alpha-lipoic acid. The milk thistle extract also lacks an active silymarin percentage.

Forty-five two-capsule servings offer reasonable value for a broad blend. It suits users prioritizing variety, while focused doses of NAC or standardized silymarin would require different products.

Who is it for
  • Adults seeking a broad liver-support blend
  • People who value individually disclosed ingredients
  • Users who want milk thistle with NAC and botanicals
Best for
  • Broad low-dose pathway coverage
  • Milk thistle plus traditional botanicals
  • Reasonable multi-ingredient value

Pros

  • All ingredient amounts are listed
  • 372 mg milk thistle extract
  • Includes NAC and betaine
  • Coherent botanical combination
  • No proprietary blend

Cons

  • No silymarin percentage
  • NAC is modest at 50 mg
  • Alpha-lipoic acid is modest at 20 mg
  • Only forty-five servings
  • Breadth exceeds dose depth

Warnings

  • Dandelion may be unsuitable for people with bile-duct obstruction or symptomatic gallstones.
  • Milk thistle and dandelion may trigger reactions in people sensitive to ragweed-family plants.
  • Alpha-lipoic acid may lower blood glucose, which matters for users of glucose-lowering medicines.

Nutrient quality

61 Moderate impact

Milk thistle provides a relevant core with several complementary pathways. Token-sized secondary actives and missing standardization make the crowded formula less convincing.

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Ingredient transparency

79 High impact

All active amounts are visible and no blend conceals the formula. Standardization, detailed directions, and inactive ingredients remain incomplete.

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Customer satisfaction

68 High impact

The aggregate satisfaction signal is favorable and has some support from the supplied volume. Specific experience details are absent, so complaint patterns and purpose fit cannot be confirmed.

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Value for money

69 High impact

Accessible serving value and a substantial core extract support a competitive offering. Many token additions dilute the practical value of the broader label.

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Report analysis

Goals

Detoxification
Impact
High effect
A- Goal FitB- Strength of SupportB CoverageB- Formula Quality
Milk Thistle · 372 mg

Milk thistle anchors a broad liver-support formula with complementary methylation and antioxidant ingredients. The main botanical amount is meaningful, but several secondary actives are present only at token levels.

Dandelion, burdock, and black radish add digestive or biliary support without clear active standardization. The crowded blend is coherent in theme but sacrifices dose depth across many ingredients.

Study evidence
Milk Thistle Supportive 46 studies

Ingredients

IngredientAmount per serving
Milk Thistle seed extract (Silymarin)
372 mg
Dandelion
170 mg
Burdock
120 mg
Parsley
120 mg
Black Radish
70 mg
N-Acetyl Cysteine
50 mg
TMG (natural Betaine)
50 mg
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
20 mg
Adults 18–50
Report overview
D- Active Ingredient Quality & BioavailabilityF Dose, Safety & Label TransparencyD+ Value

The milk thistle comes from the seed, the preferred plant part, but its silymarin concentration is not disclosed. A standard dry capsule offers no stated absorption technology, and the effective active dose cannot be verified. The low serving cost helps value, though the missing standardization limits confidence in potency.

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Sources

Published studies used for the product analysis and the top-ranked studies for each ingredient and goal.

  1. Are alterations needed in Silybum marianum (Silymarin) administration practices? A novel outlook and meta-analysis on randomized trials targeting liver injury.
    Shahsavari K; Ardekani SS; Ardekani MRS; Esfahani MM; Kazemizadeh H; Jamialahmadi T; Iranshahi M; Khanavi M; Hasanpour M · BMC complementary medicine and therapies · 2025
    Meta-analysis3,545 participants55 studies pooledDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  2. Impact of Silymarin Supplements on Liver Enzyme Levels: A Systematic Review.
    Calderon Martinez E; Herrera D; Mogan S; Hameed Z; Jangda AA; Khan TJ; Mroke P; Sajid S; Shah YR; Baig I · Cureus · 2023
    Systematic review3,846 participants29 studies pooledDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  3. The effect of silymarin on liver enzymes in patients taking isotretinoin: A randomized clinical trial.
    Mirnezami M; Jafarimanesh H; Rezagholizamenjany M; Alimoradian A; Ranjbaran M · Dermatologic therapy · 2021
    Randomized trial74 participantsDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  4. A double-blinded randomized controlled trial of silymarin for the prevention of antituberculosis drug-induced liver injury.
    Luangchosiri C; Thakkinstian A; Chitphuk S; Stitchantrakul W; Petraksa S; Sobhonslidsuk A · BMC complementary and alternative medicine · 2016
    Randomized trial55 participantsDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  5. Effect of 8 Weeks milk thistle powder (silymarin extract) supplementation on fatty liver disease in patients candidates for bariatric surgery.
    Mirhashemi SH; Hakakzadeh A; Yeganeh FE; Oshidari B; Rezaee SP · Metabolism open · 2022
    Observational studyDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  6. A randomized controlled trial to assess the safety and efficacy of silymarin on symptoms, signs and biomarkers of acute hepatitis.
    El-Kamary SS; Shardell MD; Abdel-Hamid M; Ismail S; El-Ateek M; Metwally M; Mikhail N; Hashem M; Mousa A; Aboul-Fotouh A; El-Kassas M; Esmat G; Strickland GT · Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology · 2009
    Randomized trial105 participantsDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  7. Evaluation of Hepatoprotective Effect of Silymarin Among Under Treatment Tuberculosis Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
    Marjani M; Baghaei P; Kazempour Dizaji M; Gorji Bayani P; Fahimi F; Tabarsi P; Velayati AA · Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR · 2016
    Randomized trial70 participantsDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  8. The hepatorenal protective effects of silymarin in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
    Erfanian SS; Ansari H; Javanmard SH; Amini Z; Hajigholami A · BMC complementary medicine and therapies · 2024
    Randomized trial100 participantsDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  9. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of therapeutic effects of silymarin in β-thalassemia major patients receiving desferrioxamine.
    Moayedi B; Gharagozloo M; Esmaeil N; Maracy MR; Hoorfar H; Jalaeikar M · European journal of haematology · 2013
    Randomized trial97 participantsDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  10. Effect of aerobic training with silymarin consumption on glycemic indices and liver enzymes in men with type 2 diabetes.
    Ghalandari K; Shabani M; Khajehlandi A; Mohammadi A · Archives of physiology and biochemistry · 2023
    Randomized trial60 participantsDetoxification forMilk Thistle
  11. Impact of silymarin-supplemented cookies on liver enzyme and inflammatory markers in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients.
    Jaffar HM; Bader Ul Ain H; Tufail T; Hanif A; Malik T · Food science & nutrition · 2024
    Clinical trial64 participantsDetoxification forMilk Thistle