Roll Call

“Silymarin?”Here!Milk thistle extract

Plant

Hasn’t appeared in a scanned product yet.

As a supplement

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

Roll Call does not check drug interactions or assess personal safety.

A group of plant compounds (flavonolignans) extracted from milk thistle seeds, of which silybin is the main component.

Why it’s used

Taken by some to support liver health.

What the evidence says

According to the NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, clinical trials of silymarin for liver conditions have produced mixed results, and there is not enough reliable evidence to say it improves liver disease outcomes in people.

Context

Clinical trials have used a wide range of doses and preparations, often standardized to silybin content, with no single dose established as most studied or most effective.

Rumors

  1. Silymarin protects the liver from alcohol damage and works as a hangover cure.

    We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

  2. Milk thistle supports liver function and helps the liver remove toxins.

    We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • Walmart — a retailer: sells fashion, home goods and more; Walmart+ membership
      How we know who this is
      • “The trademarks Walmart and the Walmart Spark design are registered with the US Patent and Trademark Office.” (their page)
      • “Annual members can save $380 per year!” (their page)

  3. Milk thistle boosts breast milk production in breastfeeding mothers.

    We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • Healthline — a publisher: health information publisher; part of RVO Health, backed by Red Ventures and UnitedHealth Group's Optum
      How we know who this is
      • “Healthline is a digital publisher and does not offer personal health or medical advice.” (their page)
      • “Healthline is part of RVO Health, a company backed by Red Ventures and UnitedHealth Group’s Optum.” (their page)

  4. Milk thistle causes digestive problems such as stomach upset, diarrhea, bloating and gas.

    We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • StyleCraze — a publisher: beauty and wellness content funded by ads, affiliate programs and sponsored content
      How we know who this is
      • “StyleCraze was founded in 2011 to serve as a one-stop destination for advice on beauty, health and wellness, and lifestyle.” (their page)
      • “To help us maintain the resources needed to achieve this goal, we receive funding through advertisements, affiliate programs, and sponsored content.” (their page)

  5. Milk thistle has estrogen-like effects, and long-term use can cause hormonal imbalances.

    We haven’t found evidence strong enough to support this or rule it out.

    What was measured is not yet noted.

    Who’s saying this

    • StyleCraze — a publisher: beauty and wellness content funded by ads, affiliate programs and sponsored content
      How we know who this is
      • “StyleCraze was founded in 2011 to serve as a one-stop destination for advice on beauty, health and wellness, and lifestyle.” (their page)
      • “To help us maintain the resources needed to achieve this goal, we receive funding through advertisements, affiliate programs, and sponsored content.” (their page)