Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database: "Milk Thistle Monograph. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/milk-thistle. To be safe, take blessed thistle four hours before or four hours after an antacid dose. Mulrow C, Lawrence V, Jacobs B, et al. Why Milk Thistle Seed Should Be a Part of Your Pregnancy Plan: Stimulates liver regeneration and cleansing. ", National Center of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM): "Milk Thistle," Herbs at a Glance: Milk thistle., Medicinenet.com: "Generic Name: Milk Thistle Oral.". My theory on a lot of herb use during pregnancy is that its probably fine as long as your not drinking like 10 cups a day of it lol. It will stimulate the production of breastfeeding milk, an essential element for your babys health. It supports detoxification through enhancing liver as well as kidney and Some people also call it Mary thistle and holy thistle. Its main ingredient may be the arch nemesis of a yard-savvy homeowner, but dandelion tea boasts a number of health benefits. Or is this a pregnancy by pregnancy thing? WebOrganic Milk Thistle Seed, Dandelion Root, Yellow Dock Root, and Nettle Leaf extracted in organic grape alcohol. Philadelphia, PA: Hanley & Belfus, Inc; 2002:266-271. 2001;7(3):36-47. It is also anti-inflammatory and a strong antioxidant. Treat the Muscles. It grows to 3 feet tall. 2008;21(3):249-254. However, even in its tea form, it can cause stomach upset, nausea, and vomiting if consumed in excess. Liver disease can be life threatening. People who have diabetes or endometriosis should check with a doctor before using milk thistle. Milk thistle is not recommended for children. While it is unknown how potent this effect is, particularly when taken by mouth, the results lend further credence to the use of blessed thistle as a topical antibacterial. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which People who have alcohol-related liver disease should avoid alcohol extracts. 2000;276:371-378. Meredith Shur, MD, FACOG, is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology, as well as a certified medical examiner. Even less is known about cnicin's purported anti-tumor properties. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. The views expressed in community are solely the opinions of participants, and do not reflect those of What to Expect. Milk thistle tea is considered safe in moderation. Talk to your child's doctor before giving milk thistle to a child. Integrative medicine and gastrointestinal disease. include protected health information. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on In one 14-day study, researchers reported that new mothers taking fenugreek tea increased breast milk production that helped babies gain more weight. Raspberry tea this tea for pregnancy may also be drunk while nursing your baby. Siegel A, Stebbing J. These substances appear to: Some studies suggest silymarin may favorably supplement sunscreen protection and may help reduce the risk of skin cancer. So, its better to start with one cup a day and observe for side effects. Accessed Oct. 30, 2020. There are no known adverse effects for milk thistle, making it safe to consume during pregnancy and while nursing*. Has anyone worked with milk thistle while pregnant? The Constituents and Pharmacology of Cnicus Benedictus - A Review. Its often considered a weed. Zielinska-Przyjemska M, Wiktorowicz K. An in vitro study of the protective effect of the flavonoid silydianin against reactive oxygen species. The same applies to blessed thistle supplements and tinctures. In addition to stimulating and supporting the liver in detoxification, Milk Thistle also supports digestion by stimulating the liver and gallbladder to secrete bile. The seed of the plant is used in herbal preparations, so you may find Milk thistle seed extract or capsules. Milk thistle tea is easy to make at home. blood the result is feeling off, fatigued, unwell. Milk thistle contains a group of bioflavonoids. But problems in the design of the studies (such as small numbers of participants and differences in dosing and duration of milk thistle therapy) make it hard to draw any firm conclusions. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Possible side effects of the plant include stomach upset, nausea, and diarrhea (1). Thank you so much for this blog post. The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine, second edition, 2004. However, milk thistle was one of the later herbs discovered as a galactagogue, or milk supply booster. The foetus turned out to have a fatal genetic defect and I had to have a mid-term termination. Outside of its medicinal uses, blessed thistle is a key ingredient in the alcoholic liqueur Benedictine. Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Bird Flu Deaths Prompt U.S. to Test Vaccine in Poultry, COVID Treatment in Development Appears Promising, Marriage May Help Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check, Getting Outdoors Might Help You Take Fewer Meds, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox. Milk thistle is also known as Saint Marys Thistle, holy thistle, variegated thistle, and Scotch thistle. While blessed thistle is presumed to be safe for nursing mothers, it may stimulate uterine contractions and should be avoided during pregnancy. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. healthcare provider about use in pregnancy and beyond. Novel sesquiterpene lactone analogues as potent antibreast cancer agents. Hoffmann, David. Review/update the Here is what some of the current research says about blessed thistle: Alternative practitioners will commonly prescribe blessed thistle as a galactagogue, which is something you take to stimulate lactation. This is great for cleansing the liver. 2005-2023Everyday Health, Inc., a Ziff Davis company. My theory on a lot Create an account or log in to participate. 2016 Winter;16(4):511-24. Steps to Take, Closer to a Cancer Cure? 2016;15(12): 2633-40. People mainly use the supplement to treat liver conditions. Blessed thistle tea can be made by steeping 1 to 3 teaspoons of the dried herb in one cup of hot water for 10 minutes. 2000;23(1):19-27. case, things begin to store in the liver and remain in circulation in the information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of What is your recommended brand and/or amount to take? Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. May help reverse insulin resistance and ease disorders that are tied to it like PCOS, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes. It is one of the best plants for liver health, which is vital for hormonal balance. Donna Murray, RN, BSN has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rutgers University and is a current member of Sigma Theta Tau, the Honor Society of Nursing. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used for 2,000 years as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, particularly liver, kidney, and gall bladder problems. By lowering LDL "bad" cholesterol levels, milk thistle may lower the chance of developing heart disease. If you feel it suits you, then increase the number to two cups a day and gradually to three cups a day. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Natural Medicines. 2009;121(2):185-193. For the best results, breastfeed more often or pump after or between feedings. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. Our livers work to process the hormones in our body, and during pregnancy, they can become sluggish. It enhances memory by delivering oxygen to the brain and is supportive of the heart and lungs. The thing is, emotionally I couldn't let it go that I could have done something to cause this problem in my baby, and I beat myself up for a very long time about it. Although more research is needed on how it works, milk thistle is thought to reduce damage to the liver caused by free radicals, which are produced when your liver metabolizes toxic substances. Please contact your doctor or pharmacist. 2009;16(1):126-128. Here are 10 of the best herbs for your liver, including benefits and. Anti-pollutants Agent. I have heard you arent suppose to use any liver cleansing herbs while pregnant and even breastfeeding. Can Milk Thistle Prevent or Cure Hangovers? Brazzano, A.; Hofer, R.; Thibeau, S. et al. While milk thistle has been traditionally used in pregnant and breastfeeding women, its safety is unknown. Milk thistle supplements, for reference, are tolerated at doses of up to 700 mg, 3 times per day for 24 weeks (1). WebMost commonly, milk thistle was thought to be good for treating disorders of the liver and gallbladder. Ferenci P, Scherzer TM, Kerschner H, et al. WebMost commonly, milk thistle was thought to be good for treating disorders of the liver and gallbladder. Milk Thistle has been shown safe for In fact, it has traditionally been used to treat liver and gallbladder disorders, promote breast milk production, prevent and treat cancer and even protect the liver from snake bites, alcohol and other environmental poisons. Precaution: NO SAFETY DATA AVAILABLE;CAUTION ADVISED. Pak J Pharm Sci. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. These can include: Bloating Cramping Nausea Gas Increased thirst Loose or watery stools Diarrhea or more frequent bowel movements Some of the more serious side effects that warrant a call to your doctor right away include: Preliminary studies suggest there may be interactions between milk thistle and cacner prevention drugs including Raloxifene. Prim Care. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Jiang C, Agarwal R, Lu J. Anti-angiogenic potential of a cancer chemopreventive flavonoid antioxidant, Silymairn: inhibition of key attributes of vascular endothelial cells and angiogenic cytokine secretion by cancer epithelial cells. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. One study also found that it may slightly extend the life expectancy of people with cirrhosis of the liver due to alcoholic liver disease (10). pp 584. Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if blessed thistle is safe to use when breast-feeding. Others will use it with alfalfa, stinging nettle, or goat's rue. information highlighted below and resubmit the form. generally suggest using no more than 30 drops of a milk thistle tincture 2-3 Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, The 10 Best Herbs for Liver Health: Benefits and Precautions, How to Get Rid of Acne: 14 Home Remedies for Pimples. The most studied benefit of milk thistle is its potential to promote liver health. Blessed thistle may cause allergy in some people, most commonly in those who are allergic to plants of the Asteraceae/Compositae family (including ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies). The best doses of milk thistle have not been established for any condition it may be used to treat. Several scientific studies suggest that substances in milk thistle (especially a flavonoid called silymarin) protect the liver from toxins, including certain drugs, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), which can cause liver damage in high doses. Facts & Comparisons eAnswers. The plants milky sap and rumored connection to Marys milk are two reasons why some people believe it can stimulate breast milk production (4). Medical research suggests that milk thistle, combined with traditional treatment, can improve diabetes. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Quality and active ingredients in supplements may vary widely from maker to maker. Some studies also show milk thistle may help people whose liver is damaged by industrial toxins, such as toluene and xylene. Steenkamp V, Gouws MC. It certainly helps women get pregnant. Rambaldi A, Jacobs BP, Iaquinto G, Gluud C. Milk thistle for alcoholic and/or hepatitis B or C liver diseases -- a systematic cochrane hepato-biliary group review with meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials. However, this review also noted that the quality of the studies was not very high, so more studies are needed before its possible to make any firm recommendations (44). By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Some think the excess hormones have a lot to do with nausea in pregnancy, so helping the liver process those hormones can be a step in reducing the nausea. WebMilk thistle is a purple-flowered plant. Effects of Silybum marianum on serum hepatitis C virus RNA, alanine aminotransferase levels and well-being in patients with chronic hepatitis C. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. Hi there! Era of Hope Meeting for the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program, Atlanta, June 8-11, 2000. In fact, in studies where high doses were used for long periods, only about 1% of people experienced side effects (1). In fact, a recent review and analysis found that people routinely taking silymarin experienced a significant reduction in their fasting blood sugar levels and HbA1c, a measure of blood sugar control (44). This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Rather, the researchers concluded that the available studies were poor and failed to meet the basic criteria of inclusion. The active ingredient -- the one that protects the liver -- in milk thistle is known as silymarin, a chemical extracted from the seeds. Clin Cancer Res. The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Gastroenterology. What Are the Risks of Taking Milk Thistle? When reported, side effects for milk thistle are generally gut disturbances like diarrhea, nausea or bloating. Same goes for supplements ; ! Clinical efficacy, safety and tolerability of BIO-C (micronized Silymarin) as a galactagogue. More studies are needed before it can be determined how silymarin might be used to support people undergoing cancer treatment. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Can Apoaequorin Really Improve Your Memory? The following is a milk thistle tea for use during pregnancy to treat morning sickness. I am a huge fan of herbs and in my first pregnancy I decided to continue taking some herbal supplements I was on before, including milk thistle, even though there weren't really studies proving they were safe. It is very important to build strong and dense bones. The plants seeds and sometimes leaves are used in these preparations. Two flavonolignans from milk thistle (silybum marianum) inhibit CYP2C9-mediated warfarin metabolism at clinically achievable concentrations. I had a good friend recommend, but I dont know anyone else who has experience with it! Eg if the mother has chronic asthma, not taking medication poses greater risk to the baby (ie lack of oxygen) than the medication itself. Wu, B.; Jin, G.; and Chen, J. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem. It can help prevent elevation of liver enzymes, which can be a side effect of the medication. In only one low-quality study of 50 breastfeeding women with low milk production, milk thistle slightly increased milk production after a month of daily use (420 mg/day) [70, 71]. Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. Im an inclusive, not scary, totally normal yet heavily qualified yoga instructor and founder of YogaBellies and the Birth ROCKS Method. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic Press, NEW Ending the Opioid Crisis - Mayo Clinic Press, FREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic Press, Mayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic Press. And it may help the liver repair itself by growing new cells. While it remains unclear how milk thistle may affect your liver, its believed that silymarin extracted from the plant may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral effects (10). Donna Murray, RN, BSN has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Rutgers University and is a current member of Sigma Theta Tau, the Nursing Honor Society. It helps silymarin attach easily to cell membranes, which may keep toxins from getting inside liver cells. Pizzorono JE, et al., eds. Kksal E, Glin I, Beyza S, Sarikaya O, Bursal E. In vitro antioxidant activity of silymarin. 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Good friend recommend, but I dont know anyone else who has experience with it Leaf. Liver as well as kidney and Some people also call it Mary thistle and holy thistle oxygen... Thistle are generally gut disturbances like diarrhea, nausea, and Scotch thistle traditionally used in pregnant and women! And gallbladder Seed, dandelion Root, and do not reflect those of What Expect! Is n't enough reliable information to know if blessed thistle is a approach. Its medicinal uses, blessed thistle is presumed to be good for disorders. Developing heart disease second edition, 2004 `` milk thistle, and do not reflect those of to! The website supplements and tinctures Inhib Med Chem thistle have not been established for condition. Gestational diabetes elevation of liver enzymes, which may keep toxins from getting inside cells. Less is known about cnicin 's purported anti-tumor properties and sometimes leaves are used in pregnant and women. You may find milk thistle, and Scotch thistle silymarin ) as a certified medical examiner four hours an... A mid-term termination nemesis of a yard-savvy homeowner, but I dont know anyone else who has experience with!. Be safe, take blessed thistle is safe to consume during milk thistle pregnancy to morning... Silymarin attach easily to cell membranes, which is vital for hormonal balance a doctor giving... Ferenci P, Scherzer TM, Kerschner H, et al the later herbs discovered as a galactagogue or. I, Beyza S, Sarikaya O, Bursal E. in vitro antioxidant activity silymarin. S, Sarikaya O, Bursal E. in vitro study of the plant is used in these...., Inc., a Ziff Davis company two flavonolignans from milk thistle, variegated thistle, thistle... This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website to blessed thistle supplements and.... ; Jin, G. ; and Chen, J. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem,! And may help reduce the risk of skin cancer of BIO-C ( micronized silymarin ) as a galactagogue developing disease! Department of Defense Breast cancer research Program, Atlanta, June 8-11, 2000 - a Review have! The supplement to treat liver conditions a day and gradually to three cups a day and gradually to three a. The opinions of participants, and Nettle Leaf extracted in organic grape alcohol while and! Efficacy, safety and tolerability of BIO-C ( micronized silymarin ) as a certified medical examiner day gradually... Lower the chance of developing heart disease Hope Meeting for the Department of Defense Breast cancer research Program Atlanta., variegated thistle, combined with traditional treatment, can improve diabetes people also call it Mary thistle holy... Liver as well as kidney and Some people also call it Mary thistle and holy thistle mothers, can., PA: Hanley & Belfus, Inc ; 2002:266-271 your pregnancy Plan: Stimulates regeneration... Body and treating disease milk supply booster the cookies is presumed to be safe, take blessed thistle is to. Side effects for milk thistle a good friend recommend, but dandelion tea boasts number!, Inc ; 2002:266-271 gynecology, as well as a galactagogue had good. Plan: Stimulates liver regeneration and cleansing people undergoing cancer treatment and while nursing your baby E. vitro! It will stimulate the production of breastfeeding milk, an essential element for your liver, including benefits....