Herbs

Milk thistle

Also called: silymarin, silybum

A plant whose seeds contain silymarin.

Why people take it
Liver health.
What the evidence says
No clear benefit for hepatitis or fatty liver in good trials.
How it is usually taken
Usually 140 to 420 mg of silymarin a day.
Be careful
Generally safe; may lower blood sugar. Allergy in people allergic to daisies.
Medicines it can interact with
May lower sugar with diabetes medicines; may affect some medicines broken down by the liver.

Other herbs

EchinaceaElderberryGarlic extractGingerPeppermint oilSaw palmettoSt John's wortValerianChamomileLemon balmPassionflowerKavaRhodiolaGinkgoMoringaFenugreekCinnamonBlack seedLicoriceBoswellia

Common questions

What is Milk thistle?

A plant whose seeds contain silymarin.

Why do people take Milk thistle?

Liver health.

Does Milk thistle work?

No clear benefit for hepatitis or fatty liver in good trials.

How much Milk thistle do people take?

Usually 140 to 420 mg of silymarin a day.

Is Milk thistle safe?

Generally safe; may lower blood sugar. Allergy in people allergic to daisies.

Does Milk thistle interact with medicines?

May lower sugar with diabetes medicines; may affect some medicines broken down by the liver.

Sources and further reading

Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Written by Satya Babu.

🔎 Search all supplements

For information only, not medical advice. Supplements are not medicines: they are not tested and approved like drugs before they are sold, and they can interact with medicines. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start one, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take regular medicines, or have kidney, liver or heart disease.