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Milk Thistle Benefits
As a dietary supplement, milk thistle is claimed to have several benefits. It is said to help treat conditions such as liver disease, high cholesterol, gallbladder disease, and diabetes. Although it is not clear if milk thistle really works for most of these uses, there are many studies that are currently examining the possible benefits of milk thistle for various uses. The supplements should not be given to children without a healthcare provider's approval.
Milk thistle is a flowering plant used as a dietary supplement. As with many dietary supplements, milk thistle is claimed to be beneficial for a wide variety of different uses. Some of the possible benefits of milk thistle may include treating the following conditions:
- Liver disease, including:
- Toxic liver damage caused by chemicals
- Toxic liver damage caused by certain poisonous mushrooms
- Jaundice
- Chronic inflammatory liver disease
- Hepatitis (including both acute and chronic hepatitis)
- Cirrhosis
- Loss of appetite
- High cholesterol
- Indigestion and heartburn
- Gallbladder disease
- Diabetes
- Hangovers
- Spleen diseases
- Prostate cancer
- Pleurisy (a lung disease)
- Malaria
- Depression
- Menstrual problems
- Poor breast milk supply.
It is not clear if milk thistle really works for most of these uses (see Does Milk Thistle Work?), although many studies are currently examining the possible benefits of milk thistle for various uses.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD