Milk Thistle is a natural health supplement used primarily to improve liver health, support detoxification, promote immune system functioning and for anti-oxidant benefits.

Customer reviews of this product are generally very positive, with an average of a 4.5 / 5 star rating on Amazon for the top two best-selling Milk Thitle extract products.

Users report improved liver panels after taking this supplement as well as better management of diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Additional reports and Milk Thistle reviews say that this supplement has improved their skin and makes it easier to manage symptoms of menopause.

Milk Thistle extract product reviews can be found on seller sites such as Amazon and eBay. Other good sources for reviews include online herbal suppliers, health sites and manufacturers’ websites. But to get the most out of reviews it is best to know a little about the supplement and its therapeutic purpose.

Milk Thistle

Herbal Supplement

Liver Health

Detox

Longevity

How It Works:

• Supports liver health & detox
• Anti-oxidant & anti-inflammatory properties
• Improves insulin sensitivity & cholesterol

Dosage:

Between 140 - 800 mg per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

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Milk Thistle Review

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a member of the Asteraceae family, which also includes plants like daises and thistles.

Silybum marianum is likely native to southern Europe but is now commonly found throughout the continent. European settlers brought milk thistle to North America and it is now dispersed through North and South America.

The plant can reach 5 feet in height and grows large, purple flowers, which are sometimes eaten like artichokes. It has spiky leaves with white veins, which is likely where it received its common name, milk thistle.

It was historically referred to as Mary thistle because historical European literature said the white in the leaves was the milk of the Virgin Mary. The first recorded use of milk thistle dates back to Ancient Greece when it was administered to patients who had been bitten by poisonous snakes.

Since then, it has been used by physicians and herbalists to treat disorders of the gallbladder and liver. Contemporary scientific investigation has focused on the use of milk thistle to treat liver disease, including fatty liver disease, alcoholic and non-alcoholic cirrhosis and toxic hepatitis.

Most investigation focuses on an extract of the milk thistle plant known as silymarin, which is thought to be the active constituent. Scientific reviews of Milk Thistle Extract typically attribute the majority of beneficial properties from this plant to the silymarin concentration.

Health Benefits of Silymarin and Milk Thistle

Silymarin is comprised of a group of flavonolignans and flavonoids, including silydianin, silychristin, silibinin and sylibin. Because of its therapeutic importance in the plant, the names silymarin and milk thistle are often used interchangeably, especially in the supplement marketplace.

Silymarin has been observed to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-lipid-peroxidative and immunomodulating effects, which is what researchers suspect helps aid in the treatment of some liver disorders.

Milk thistle is also taken orally for dyspepsia, diabetes, hangover, diseases of the spleen and to help relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. It is also sometimes used to treat skin conditions such as acne and psoriasis and to help relieve pain in arthritis and rheumatism.

It is also used to mitigate symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats. Milk thistle may be a key ingredient in some detox and liver cleanse formulas.

This herbal extract can be found in many forms and supplemental combinations on the market. These formulas may be marketed for a variety of therapeutic purposes. Milk thistle reviews can be helpful in determining what combinations have worked and for what condition.

Milk Thistle Supplements

The most common form of milk thistle supplements is an oral capsule that contains a powdered extract from the plant. Capsules will typically be denoted with a standardized concentration of silymarin extract in the form of a percentage (i.e. 80% silymarin) or in the form of a ratio (i.e. 30:1 extract). Capsules will typically contain between 100 – 500 mg of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum extract).

Due to the differences in how the extract concentrations are calculated, it is recommended to follow dosage guidelines as directed by the manufacturer. Milk thistle reviews generally recommend taking one capsule three times a day with meals to prevent stomach discomfort.

Milk Thistle Products

This supplement is also available as a liquid tincture, tea form, or gel capsule with enteric coating. There are also tincture complex formulas that are comprised of milk thistle and other complementary herbs.

The tincture can be made into a tea by adding hot water. There are also several tea blend manufacturers that market pre-measured milk thistle tea bags.

If you would like to grind the fruits of (Silybum marianum), the hard, dried fruits of the plant can be crushed by hand or in a coffee grinder. The powder may be used to make a tea or herbal coffee substitute. It also comes as a powder in capsules and tablets. Other milk thistle products include:

• Viridian Milk Thistle Standardised Milk Thistle (80% silymarin) 175mg. It is in a base of alfalfa, spirulina and bilberry.
• Phyto-Female is a menopausal treatment for hot flashes and night sweats. It combines milk thistle with black cohosh, dong quai, red clover, American gingseng and Chasteberry. Its recommended dose is twice daily with a meal for 3 months. Cost is 60 tabs for approximately
• Vitastores Milk Thistle 8580 mg has 216 mg of silymarin per daily dose tablet.

Milk Thistle Teas:

• Qi Fairtrade Organic Detox China Green Tea includes lemon and orange with peppermint leaf, licorice, ginger and fennel seeds, dandelion root and milk thistle.
• Dr. Stuarts’s Detox Tea combines peppermint, dandelion root, licorice root, chamomile, centaury herb, boldo leaves, couchgrass root, restharrow root and milk thistle.
• Alvita Tea Bags – Organic Milk Thistle is highly rated on Amazon.

Tinctures and Capsules:

• Nature’s Answer Alcohol-Free Milk Thistle Seed is 1-Fluid ounce with 15 servings.
• A.Vogel’s Milk Thistle Complex combines milk thistle with fresh extracts of dandelion, artichoke, peppermint and dried Boldo leaves. It comes in tincture and tablet formats.
• Iberogast® 100ml by Medical Futures, received 4 out of 5 stars of 312 customer reviews. Ingredients are Iberis amara, Angelica, Chamomile, Caraway Fruit, St. Mary’s Thistle, Balm Leaves, Peppermint Leaves, Celandine, and Liquorice Root. Good reviews for IBS, FD (Functional Dyspepsia) and GERDS (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease)

Contraindications and Side Effects

According to user reviews of Milk thistle, this product is generally well tolerated. Some users experienced side effects include bloating, diarrhea, gas, indigestion, loss of appetite and nausea. It should be avoided if allergic to ragweed or the members of the Asteracea Compositae plant family. This includes avocadoes, daisies, marigolds and sunflowers.

Use with caution if taking diabetic medication, as milk thistle may lower blood sugar. Avoid this product if you have been diagnosed with breast, uterine or ovarian cancer or endometriosis or uterine fibroids.

Do not take milk thistle supplements with medications that break down or change in the liver. Also do not use this product with Phenytoin (Dilantin) and Statins, due to the risk of interactions. There is insufficient evidence for how milk thistle impacts a developing foetus and baby; consequently, this supplement should be avoided by pregnant or breast feeding women.

As with all supplements, be sure to speak with a doctor or medical professional before starting a supplement program. Medical advice combined with milk thistle reviews can help you make safe and informed decision about supplementation.

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