Milk Thistle Tincture Recipes, Dosages & Side Effects

Milk thistle tinctures and decoctions contain flavonolignans, which are being investigated for their diverse therapeutic effects.

In particular, milk thistle extract contains high levels of a flavonolignan complex called silymarin. Silymarin is the main therapeutic agent in milk thistle and is often used to refer to the whole plant.

Silymarin is used as a natural treatment for hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease, jaundice and gallbladder disorders. Milk thistle has been used for millennia to treat a wide variety of ailments, but is commonly associated with liver and gallbladder health.

In contemporary studies milk thistle (silymarin) has been observed to exhibit liver protecting (hepatoprotective) qualities and has also demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-diabetic, cardioprotective and other medicinal properties.

Silymarin has been studied for its action against some cell lines. It is sometimes used as an adjunct (additional) therapy in the treatment of some cancers.

International healthcare authorities, such as the German Commission E, have approved the use of milk thistle tinctures for a variety of preventive and healing purposes. Also, organizations like the US National Cancer Institute have initiated large-scale human trials to examine the possible therapeutic benefits of S. marianum.

Milk thistle has also been observed to exhibit hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects. It is sometimes used as an adjunct therapy to help manage the long-term care requirements of diabetes mellitus type II patients. Further, milk thistle is also used to reduce some of the risk factors correlated with heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular ailments.

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 Tinctures

Silybum marianum has been used as a medicine and food for over two thousand years.

This plant is also commonly prepared into a liquid tincture to preserve the medicinal components found within the seeds, stems and leaves.

Although a great deal of research has been done on milk thistle, clinicians remain divided about its use in conventional medical practice. However, in scientific studies milk thistle has been observed to:

• Lower levels of “bad” (LDL) cholesterol;
• Elevate levels of “good” (HDL) cholesterol;
• Decrease deposits of arterial plaque throughout the circulatory system;
• Reduce some of the risk factors associated with atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia and obesity;
• Improve glucose use and decrease blood glucose levels in patients with type II diabetes;
• Increase glutathione levels and naturally stimulate liver and kidney detoxification;
• Work against cancer by controlling tumor cell cycle actions, apoptosis, angiogenesis and metastasis

Milk thistle tincture is used for a number of other ailments and diseases with varying effectiveness, including bronchial infections, gallstone pains, CNS disorders, diabetic neuropathy, anxiety, depression, eczema, psoriasis, hemochromatosis, hyperthyroidism, immune system deficiencies, infertility, malaria and vasculitis, to name a few.

How to Make a Milk Thistle Tincture

Making an alcohol-based milk thistle tincture at home is a simple process. The alcohol draws out and preserves the medicinal phytochemicals (plant nutrients) from the seeds of the plant. Following is one effective milk thistle tincture process:

1. Use a coffee grinder to grind milk thistle seeds;
2. Place the chopped seeds in a sealable container, such as a Mason jar;
3. Fill the jar with a quality brand of 100-proof vodka;
4. Tightly seal the container and store in a cool, dry place;
5. Every three days, stir the contents by gently shaking the jar;
6. Repeat this schedule for a minimum of 8 weeks;
7. When ready to use, gently mix the contents and use an eyedropper to extract the number of drops desired for supplementation

It is important to remember that one of the primary purposes for making a milk thistle tincture is to concentrate the beneficial compounds into an easily used form. Tinctures are potent extracts and should be used with care and caution.

Additionally, individuals who are suffering from liver ailments should not use milk thistle tincture because the alcohol may work to further harm the liver. In this case, oral capsules containing a ground extract powder made from the seeds are preferable to use.

How to Use Milk Thistle Tincture

For non-clinical home supplementation, three drops of milk thistle tincture three times a day is sometimes used. You can stay at this dosage level for several days before deciding whether or not to increase.

The appropriate milk thistle dosage will depend on a number of variables, including your diet, activity level, weight and sex. Take a slow, cautious approach to safely achieve an optimal dose.

Milk thistle is generally well tolerated. Mild side effects may include stomach upset and headache, both of which are normally mild and fleeting. Dosages can vary across different products due to a variety of concentration levels. For this reason, it is important to follow dosage guidelines provided by the manufacturer of a specific product.

Milk Thistle Drug Interactions

Milk thistle tincture may interact with several prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as other herbs. It is known to affect the cytochrome p450 liver enzyme pathway, and may affect the breakdown and absorption of certain medications. The tincture may either increase or decrease the strength of these medications and their side effects.

The hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of milk thistle tincture liquid may affect blood glucose. Taking milk thistle with anti-diabetic pharmaceuticals may result in adverse drug interactions.

Milk thistle tincture may interact with medications prescribed for immune system disorders like RA (rheumatoid arthritis), MS (multiple sclerosis) and lupus. Milk thistle is a known galactagogue – a substance that naturally stimulates lactation.

Women who are pregnant or nursing should speak with their doctors before taking milk thistle.Be sure to consult with your primary caregiver before using milk thistle tincture to make sure the supplement is right for you.

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