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| Alternative Names: Milk thistle. The use of Silymarin is just beginning to be explored in the United States. Source; History The extract of the seed-like fruit (achene) of the milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum) is known as silymarin. Silymarin is actually a combination of the flavonolignans silybin, silydianin, and silychristin. The most popular products are standardized extracts of silymarin. An average dose is 200mg of an extract standardized for 70-80% silymarin. Silymarin has been used historically as a liver-specific agent. Function; Reasons For Use Milk Thistle Extract is many times more potent in antioxidant activity than vitamin E. The plant contains B-sistosterol and is the main ingredient in Take Control and Benecol. It has been shown in studies to be effective in treating arteriosclerosis. Many people take milk thistle regularly to protect their livers from the effects of alcohol, heavy metals and drugs, and as needed after exposure to solvents, pesticides, bacteria from food poisoning or other toxins. Studies since the 1930s, conducted mainly in Germany, researched that the silymarin found in the herb works to stabilize liver cell membranes and act as an antioxidant to protect liver cells from free radical damage. It also helps regenerate healthy liver cells and boost the organ's ability to filter toxins from the blood. Silymarin has been shown to prevent and even reverse the toxic affect of mushroom (Amanita phalloides) poisoning, which can cause death within 24 hours. It is able to do this by specifically blocking the receptor for these toxins. Directions The standard dose of milk thistle is based on its silymarin content, 70 to 210mg three times daily. For this reason, standardized extracts, typically 80% silymarin content, are preferred. There are no reported side-effects or contraindications. In fact, the plant's young (non-spiny) leaves and stems were once consumed as food in Europe. |
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