Cardo lechero
Related Terms
- Asteraceae, BIO-C?, Bull thistle, cardo blanco, Cardui mariae fructus, Cardui mariae herba, Cardum marianum L., Carduus marianus L., Carsil?, Chardon-Marie, dehydrosilybin, desoxy-silydianin, Emetic root, flavonolignans, Frauendistel, Fructus Silybi mariae, fruit de chardon Marie, heal thistle, Holy thistle, IdB1016?, isosilibinin, isosilybin, isosilybin A, isosilybin B, Kanger, Kocakavkas, kuub, lady's thistle, Legalon?, Legalon? 140, Legalon? Forte, Legalon? SIL, Leviaderm?, Livergol?, Marian thistle, mariana mariana, Mariendistel, Marienkr?rner, Mary thistle, mild thistle, milk ipecac, natursil, natursilum, pig leaves, Pi?Latte?, royal thistle, S. marianum, St. Mary's thistle, shui fei ji, silibinin, silidianin, Silybi mariae fructus, silybin, silybin A, silybin B, Silybin Meglumine, silybinomer, silybin-phytosome, silybinin, Silybum marianum, Silybum marianum Gaertn, Silybum marianum (L) Gaertn, silychristin, silydianin, silymarin, snake milk, sow thistle, taxifolin, Thisylin?, variegated thistle, Vegicaps?, Venus thistle, wild artichoke.
- Select combination products: Iberogast (STW-5; comprised of milk thistle, bitter candy tuft, chamomile flower, peppermint leaves, caraway fruit, licorice root, lemon balm leaves, angelica root, celandine herbs), Phyto-Female Complex (SupHerb, Netanya, Israel; ingredients: standardized extracts of black cohosh, dong quai, milk thistle, red clover, American ginseng, chaste tree berry), Realsil (comprised of silybin, phosphatidylcholine, vitamin E).
Background
- Milk thistle has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years, most commonly for the treatment of liver and gallbladder disorders. Silymarin comes from the seeds of milk thistle and is believed to be the active part of milk thistle. The terms "milk thistle" and "silymarin" are often used interchangeably.
- Milk thistle products are popular in Europe and the United States for various types of liver disease. Although numerous human trials have been published, most studies have lacked a strong design and strong conclusive evidence.
- Milk thistle has been well tolerated with mild side effects when used in a recommended amount and duration.
Evidence Table
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. |
GRADE * |
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. |
GRADE * |
Multiple studies from Europe suggest benefits of oral milk thistle for cirrhosis. In studies up to five years long, milk thistle slightly improved liver function and decreased the number of deaths in people with liver disease. Although these results are promising, most studies have been poorly designed. Better research is necessary before a strong conclusion can be made.
|
B |
Multiple studies from Europe suggest benefits of oral milk thistle for cirrhosis. In studies up to five years long, milk thistle slightly improved liver function and decreased the number of deaths in people with liver disease. Although these results are promising, most studies have been poorly designed. Better research is necessary before a strong conclusion can be made.
|
B |
Research showed that milk thistle improved control of blood sugar in people with diabetes with and without liver disease. Higher quality research is necessary before strong conclusions can be made.
|
B |
Research showed that milk thistle improved control of blood sugar in people with diabetes with and without liver disease. Higher quality research is necessary before strong conclusions can be made.
|
B |
Research suggests that silymarin improves blood and urine markers associated with diabetic kidney disease. Further high quality research is needed before a conclusion can be made.
|
B |
Research suggests that silymarin improves blood and urine markers associated with diabetic kidney disease. Further high quality research is needed before a conclusion can be made.
|
B |
Several studies of milk thistle in liver disease caused by viruses or alcohol report improvements in liver tests. However, most studies have been small and poorly designed. More research is needed before a conclusion can be made.
|
B |
Several studies of milk thistle in liver disease caused by viruses or alcohol report improvements in liver tests. However, most studies have been small and poorly designed. More research is needed before a conclusion can be made.
|
B |
Existing research shows unclear benefits for the use of milk thistle in acute viral hepatitis, or liver inflammation due to an infection from a virus. Further research is needed to draw conclusions.
|
C |
Existing research shows unclear benefits for the use of milk thistle in acute viral hepatitis, or liver inflammation due to an infection from a virus. Further research is needed to draw conclusions.
|
C |
Limited research showed that milk thistle reduced the severity of allergic nasal symptoms. Further study is needed to draw conclusions.
|
C |
Limited research showed that milk thistle reduced the severity of allergic nasal symptoms. Further study is needed to draw conclusions.
|
C |
Milk thistle has been used traditionally to treat Amanita phalloides mushroom poisoning. Strong research in humans supporting this use is lacking. Further research is necessary.
|
C |
Milk thistle has been used traditionally to treat Amanita phalloides mushroom poisoning. Strong research in humans supporting this use is lacking. Further research is necessary.
|
C |
Early research suggests that milk thistle, alone or given with vitamin E, improves antioxidant status. Although promising, further high quality research is needed before conclusions can be made.
|
C |
Early research suggests that milk thistle, alone or given with vitamin E, improves antioxidant status. Although promising, further high quality research is needed before conclusions can be made.
|
C |
Early evidence reported unclear results for the use of milk thistle in combination with other supplements in people with cancer. One person reported an improvement in liver cancer after taking milk thistle. Further research is needed to draw conclusions.
|
C |
Early evidence reported unclear results for the use of milk thistle in combination with other supplements in people with cancer. One person reported an improvement in liver cancer after taking milk thistle. Further research is needed to draw conclusions.
|
C |
In women undergoing artificial fertilization (in vitro fertilization, IVF), silymarin used in combination with standard therapy has demonstrated mixed results. More research is needed to reach conclusions.
|
C |
In women undergoing artificial fertilization (in vitro fertilization, IVF), silymarin used in combination with standard therapy has demonstrated mixed results. More research is needed to reach conclusions.
|
C |
An herbal preparation containing milk thistle may be effective in decreasing heartburn. Research of milk thistle alone is necessary for conclusions to be drawn.
|
C |
An herbal preparation containing milk thistle may be effective in decreasing heartburn. Research of milk thistle alone is necessary for conclusions to be drawn.
|
C |
Although non-human research suggests cholesterol-lowering effects of milk thistle, human studies have provided mixed results. Further studies are necessary before a firm conclusion can be made.
|
C |
Although non-human research suggests cholesterol-lowering effects of milk thistle, human studies have provided mixed results. Further studies are necessary before a firm conclusion can be made.
|
C |
Several studies suggest possible benefits of milk thistle to treat or prevent liver damage caused by drugs or toxic chemicals. Results of this research are unclear, and most studies have been poorly designed. Higher quality trials are necessary to draw conclusions.
|
C |
Several studies suggest possible benefits of milk thistle to treat or prevent liver damage caused by drugs or toxic chemicals. Results of this research are unclear, and most studies have been poorly designed. Higher quality trials are necessary to draw conclusions.
|
C |
An herbal preparation containing milk thistle may be effective in decreasing menopausal symptoms. Research of milk thistle alone is necessary for conclusions to be drawn.
|
C |
An herbal preparation containing milk thistle may be effective in decreasing menopausal symptoms. Research of milk thistle alone is necessary for conclusions to be drawn.
|
C |
In early research, a preparation of milk thistle and other supplements has demonstrated a beneficial effect on people with various neurodegenerative disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Further high-quality research with milk thistle alone is needed before any firm conclusions can be made.
|
C |
In early research, a preparation of milk thistle and other supplements has demonstrated a beneficial effect on people with various neurodegenerative disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. Further high-quality research with milk thistle alone is needed before any firm conclusions can be made.
|
C |
In human research, milk thistle reduced symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), but lacked benefits compared to regular treatment. Further research is needed to draw conclusions on the benefits of milk thistle in OCD patients.
|
C |
In human research, milk thistle reduced symptoms of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), but lacked benefits compared to regular treatment. Further research is needed to draw conclusions on the benefits of milk thistle in OCD patients.
|
C |
Early evidence suggests that milk thistle has anti-inflammatory effects in people with osteoarthritis. Further high quality research is needed before conclusions can be made.
|
C |
Early evidence suggests that milk thistle has anti-inflammatory effects in people with osteoarthritis. Further high quality research is needed before conclusions can be made.
|
C |
Early research in breast cancer patients suggests that silymarin (Levidaerm?) helps ease radiotherapy-induced toxic skin reactions compared to standard care. Further high quality research is warranted.
|
C |
Early research in breast cancer patients suggests that silymarin (Levidaerm?) helps ease radiotherapy-induced toxic skin reactions compared to standard care. Further high quality research is warranted.
|
C |
Human research showed that adding milk thistle to regular therapy lacked further benefits for iron overload in people with beta-thalassemia. Further study is needed before firm conclusions may be made.
|
F |
Human research showed that adding milk thistle to regular therapy lacked further benefits for iron overload in people with beta-thalassemia. Further study is needed before firm conclusions may be made.
|
F | * Key to grades
A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
| * Key to grades
A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
| Tradition / Theory
The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.
Dosing
Adults (over 18 years old)
- For acute viral hepatitis, 160-800 milligrams of silymarin (e.g. Legalon?) has been taken by mouth daily in three divided doses for three weeks.
- For allergic nasal symptoms, 140 milligrams of silymarin has been taken by mouth three times daily for one month.
- For amanita phalloides mushroom toxicity, silibinin has been taken by mouth; 20-50 milligrams per kilogram of silibinin in 500 milliliters of 5% dextrose solution has been injected into the vein every six hours for one day.
- For antioxidant effects, 140 milligrams of silymarin (Livergol?) has been taken by mouth three times daily for three weeks.
- For cirrhosis, 160-800 milligrams of silymarin (e.g. Legalon?) has been taken by mouth in 2-3 divided doses daily by mouth for up to two years.
- For diabetes (type 2), 200-230 milligrams of silymarin (e.g. Legalon?) has been taken by mouth one to three times daily for four weeks to 12 months, together with regular therapy.
- For diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease), 140 milligrams of silymarin has been taken by mouth three times daily for three months.
- For liver damage from drugs or toxins, 160-800 milligrams of silymarin (e.g. Legalon?) has been taken by mouth daily in three divided doses for periods ranging from 15 days to five weeks; 70 milligrams of silibinin has been taken by mouth three times daily for 6-12 months.
- For fertility, three doses of 70 milligrams of silymarin have been taken by mouth (in addition to standard therapy) over the course of one day.
- For high cholesterol, 200-600 milligrams of silymarin has been taken by mouth once or three times daily for four months in addition to standard therapy.
- For chronic liver disease 160-480 milligrams of silybin (Silipide?, IdB 1016) has been taken by mouth once or three times daily for up to three months;120-420 milligrams of silymarin (Legalon?) has been taken by mouth daily in three divided doses for four weeks to 12 months; silibinin (e.g. Legalon? SIL) has been injected into the vein for periods of 10-14 days.
- For osteoarthritis, 150 milligrams of silymarin has been taken by mouth twice daily for eight weeks.
- For radiation skin irritation, a silymarin-based cream (Leviaderm?) has been applied to the skin.
Safety
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.
Interactions
Interactions with Drugs
- Milk thistle may interfere with the way the body processes certain drugs using the liver's "cytochrome P450" enzyme system. As a result, the levels of these drugs may be increased in the blood, and may cause increased effects or potentially serious adverse reactions. People using any medications should check the package insert, and speak with a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist, about possible interactions.
- Milk thistle may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. People taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare provider. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
- Milk thistle may also interact with agents that affect the blood, agents that promote milk production, agents that affect the liver, agents used for the skin, heart, stomach, or intestines, alcohol, amiodarone, anti-anxiety agents, anti-inflammatories, anticancer agents, antiretrovirals, antivirals, cholesterol-lowering agents, fertility agents, glucuronidated agents, hormonal agents, impotence agents, irinotecan, losartan, penicillin, phenytoin (Dilantin?), p-glycoprotein modulators, rapamycin, and talinolol.
Attribution
-
This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).
Bibliography
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