As the liver can purify our blood, the effect will be felt in our skin. Side effects. Copyright 2015 © MilkThistleTea.net | All Rights Reserved. One reported effect of milk thistle is that it can boost breast … Milk thistle and dandelion is a popular combination for people who seek to promote liver function. If left untreated, anaphylaxis can lead to shock, coma, cardiac or respiratory failure, or death. Other galactagogic ingredients found in mother’s milk Tea include blessed thistle, coriander, and fenugreek. Nonetheless, it is still wise to be familiar with them so that you can better enjoy drinking milk thistle tea. Milk thistle is a hardy plant that grows well in all different environments, although it prefers high temperatures and dry conditions. A double-blind controlled study. Speak to your doctor … Some of these effects include upset stomach, headache, or appetite loss. Milk thistle is generally considered safe and well-tolerated, with very few cases of side effects reported. However, studies on the milk thistle's effectiveness in treating liver disorders have yielded mixed results.. JAMA. In rarer cases, you may experience gastrointestinal difficulties such as nausea, bloating, gas or an upset stomach. J Diabetes Res. Once dried, you can grind the seeds into a powder with a mortar and pestle. Milk thistle tea may cause allergic reaction in people who are allergic to the milk thistle plant and other daisy plants. You can harvest these and extract the seeds by removing the fluffy fibers surrounding them. People with allergies to ragweed, daisies, artichokes, kiwi, or plants in the aster family may also be allergic to milk thistle. Research on the effects of milk thistle in people with hepatitis is not consistent. DOI: 10.1001/jama.2012.8265. It always is advisable to contact a physician prior to adding milk thistle tea to your diet if you are unsure of whether you are allergic to milk thistle. Since milk thistle grows in clumps, space each cluster of seeds about 12 inches apart. The lips will be … Gastrointestinal issues 2. Can Ivy Gourd Treat Diabetes and High Cholesterol? 2015;22(2):290-6. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2014.12.010, Kazazis CE, Evangelopoulos AA, Kollas A, Vallianou NG. Milk thistle, like many natural products, has few or no side effects. As an added layer of safety, opt for brands that have been certified organic under the regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Hepatology. A double-blind controlled study. Call 911 or seek emergency care if you experience shortness of breath, rash, hives, rapid heartbeat, lightheadedness, or swelling of the face, tongue, or neck after taking milk thistle. Enjoying your milk thistle in tea form is a great addition to taking it in capsule form. A systematic review conducted in 2016 further concluded that the routine use of silymarin appears to reduce the fasting blood glucose and HbA1C levels, although the authors warned that the quality of the reviewed studies was poor. The typical dose is 200 to 420 mg daily taken thice daily with meals for 2 months, then 280 mg/day in three divided doses. Updated September 2016. Common side effects may include: indigestion, bloating, gas, stomach pain; diarrhea; or nausea, loss of appetite. For those that plan on drinking milk thistle tea, it is good to be aware of some of the side effects that may occur. Milk thistle may reduce your blood sugar, so it needs to be used with caution as it may trigger hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in people on diabetes medications.. Dosages range from 175mg all the way up to 1,000mg. Herbal product use by persons enrolled in the hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment Against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) Trial. Fried, M.; Navarro, V.; Afdhal, N. et al. Swelling of Lips: The excessive intake of milk thistle can cause the swelling of lips. Can Interact With Cholesterol Medication 5. (silymarin) extract supplementation on antioxidant status and hs-CRP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, The therapeutic potential of milk thistle in diabetes. The dosage for dried milk thistle seeds is 12 to 15 g daily. 4 Simple Fatty Liver Prevention Solutions You Should Know, 3 Natural Ways You Can Reduce the Side Effects of Your Antibiotics, Milk thistle in liver diseases: past, present, future, Effect of silymarin on chemical, functional, and morphological alterations of the liver. 2010;24(10):1423-32. doi:10.1002/ptr.3207, Salmi HA, Sarna S. Effect of silymarin on chemical, functional, and morphological alterations of the liver. Testosterone Production. There is also concern that milk thistle might have estrogenic effects. Voroneanu, L.; Nistor, I.; Dumea, R. et al. 1982;17(4):517-21. doi:10.3109/00365528209182242, Seeff LB, Curto TM, Szabo G, et al. Milk Thistle Tea. (silymarin) extract supplementation on antioxidant status and hs-CRP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. (silymarin) extract supplementation on antioxidant status and hs-CRP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Possible Side Effects In general, milk thistle tea is considered safe. Few of these claims are supported by hard evidence. Milk thistle is a flowering plant that was named due to the milk like substance that is produced in the stem and leaves of the plant. Milk thistle is also used to treat serpent bites and mushroom poisoning. Although milk thistle is most often used for liver conditions, such as hepatitis and cirrhosis, the herb is believed some to prevent or treat high cholesterol, diabetes, heartburn, upset stomach (dyspepsia), hangover, gallbladder problems, menstrual pain, depression, and even certain types of cancer. Consult your doctor. Blessed thistle also exerts a mild diuretic effect and should be used with caution if you are t… Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. DOI: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2005.00262.x. Can Stinging Nettle Treat Arthritis, Allergies, and Enlarged Prostate? While milk thistle has not shown any side effects in scientific tests, if you are pregnant or lactating, please consult your health care provider before taking milk thistle. People who are allergic to ragweed should also avoid consuming milk thistle tea. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Milk thistle is sometimes used by people with chronic hepatitis C (a viral infection characterized by the progressive scarring of the liver). Although milk thistle has a long history of use for its many benefits, there is no average or standard dosage. A double-blind controlled study, Herbal product use by persons enrolled in the hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment Against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) Trial, Effect of silymarin (milk thistle) on liver disease in patients with chronic hepatitis C unsuccessfully treated with interferon therapy: a randomized controlled trial, Effects of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. The typical dosage for silybin phytosome is 80 to 120 mg two to three times daily between meals. Nonetheless, it is still wise to be familiar with them so that you can better enjoy drinking milk thistle tea. Milk thistle supplements are commonly sold as in capsule form but are also available as tablets, tea bags, and oral tinctures. Even when high doses of milk thistle extract were consumed for long periods, only approximately 1% of the individuals … Side Effects & Overdose of Milk Thistle. Rambaldi, A.; Jacobs, B.; 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. Herbal product use by persons enrolled in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-Term Treatment Against Cirrhosis (HALT-C) Trial. Effect of silymarin (milk thistle) on liver disease in patients with chronic hepatitis C unsuccessfully treated with interferon therapy: a randomized controlled trial. 2016;2016:5147468. 2008;47(2):605-12. doi:10.1002/hep.22044, Fried MW, Navarro VJ, Afdhal N, et al. At present, there is not enough scientific data to say whether milk thistle can help the liver or not. 2012;308(3):274-82. doi:10.1001/jama.2012.8265, Ebrahimpour koujan S, Gargari BP, Mobasseri M, Valizadeh H, Asghari-jafarabadi M. Effects of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. Seeff, L.; Curto, T.; Szabo, G. et al. Blessed thistle is considered safe when used as a tea. The same applies to blessed thistle supplements and tinctures. Read our, Medically reviewed by Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc, Medically reviewed by Rochelle Collins, DO, Medically reviewed by Lana Butner, ND, LAc, Medically reviewed by Kashif J. Piracha, MD. While it is not without benefit, milk thistle doesn't appear to exert a significant effect on either liver tissues or liver function.. 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. Doses range from 175 milligrams to 1,000 milligrams. Can Cause Weakness Milk thistle has few known side effects, but can cause allergic reaction in some people. If this occurs, it is wise to stop … Milk thistle is also known by the names Saint Mary's thistle, variegated thistle, and Scotch thistle. However, side effects … Less commonly, muscle aches, joint pain, and sexual dysfunction have been reported. Hepatology. Milk thistle is drought resistant and needs very little watering. An early study from Finland found that a four-week course of silymarin supplements lowered key liver enzymes in people with subacute disease, suggesting the liver was functioning more normally.. Ebrahimpour, K.; Gargari, B.; Mobasseri, M. et al. Skin. Itchiness 3. It Can Boost Breast Milk Production. To avoid complications, always advise your doctor about any supplements or herbal remedies you are taking. Salmi, H. and Sarna, S. Effect of silymarin on chemical, functional, and morphological alterations of the liver. According to 2015 research published in Phytomedicine, a 45-day course of silymarin increased the antioxidant capacity and reduced generalized inflammation in adults with type 2 diabetes better than a placebo. Some people have nausea, diarrhea, itching, and bloating. Combination remedies such as Iberogast drops (used to treat dyspepsia) and Barberol tablets (formulated for diabetics) are considered effective with milk thistle doses of 10 milligrams and 210 milligrams, respectively. (silymarin) extract supplementation on antioxidant status and hs-CRP in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. JAMA. The most common side effects aren’t serious and include gastrointestinal upset, … Despite the positive findings, subsequent studies have been unable to replicate the results or demonstrate that milk thistle prescribed on its own would render the same effects. Less commonly, muscle aches, joint pain, and sexual dysfunction have … Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. You can drink anywhere between six and eight cups of this tea a day. Try a basic milk thistle extract in pill form for a couple weeks to see if those effects return. 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