Alternative

Milk Thistle

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Milk Thistle, Silybum marianum, Silymarin

  • See Also
  1. Herbal Medicine
  • Indications
  1. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
    1. Possibly effective in small studies lowering Fasting Blood Sugar and Hemoglobin A1C
  2. Liver disease (Cirrhosis, Hepatitis, NAFLD)
    1. Mixed results in Clinical Trials
  3. Amanita phalloides Poisoning
    1. Insufficient evidence to date
  4. Other Investigational uses
    1. Cytoprotection (environmental hazards, Chemotherapy)
    2. Anticarcinogen
  • Contraindications
  1. Ragweed Allergy
    1. Risk of Allergic Reaction
  2. Hormone sensitive conditions (e.g. Breast Cancer)
    1. Milk Thistle may have Estrogenic effects
  • Adverse Effects
  1. Mild gastrointestinal upset or Dyspepsia
  • Safety
  1. Avoid in pregnancy (unknown safety)
  2. Avoid in Lactation (unknown safety)
  • Drug Interactions
  1. No significant interactions
  2. Possible CYP2C9 Inhibitor, CYP3A4 Inhibitor, P-Glycoprotein Inhibitor depending on Genotype
    1. However does not appear to result in Clinically Significant interactions in humans
  • Dosing
  1. Optimal dosing not yet established
  2. Study doses vary from 210 to 600 mg daily
  • References
  1. (2023) Presc Lett 30(8): 48
  2. Rainone (2005) Am Fam Physician 72:1285-8 [PubMed]