Silybum marianum
Silybum marianum, also known as milk thistle, is a flowering herb related to the daisy and ragweed family. It is native to Mediterranean countries. Some people also call it Mary thistle and holy thistle.
Description[edit | edit source]
Silybum marianum plants are somewhat tall, reaching on average heights of 5 to 10 feet. They have an erect stem and large, slightly lobed leaves. The flowers are red and purple. The plant has a long history of use as a folk remedy for liver and gallbladder disorders.
Uses[edit | edit source]
The active ingredient in milk thistle, silymarin, is a complex mixture of flavonolignans. It is used as a natural treatment for liver problems. These liver problems include cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis, and gallbladder disorders. Some claim milk thistle may also provide heart benefits by lowering cholesterol levels, help diabetes in people who have type 2 diabetes and cirrhosis.
Side Effects[edit | edit source]
While most people tolerate milk thistle well, it can cause gastrointestinal side effects and an allergic reaction, especially in people who are allergic to other plants in the same family.
Research[edit | edit source]
Research on the effects of milk thistle on liver disease, such as cirrhosis and hepatitis C, has shown mixed results. More research is needed to determine the efficacy and safety of milk thistle in humans.
See Also[edit | edit source]
Silybum marianum Resources | |
---|---|
|
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD