Gastrointestinal: Hepatitis, cirrhosis (possibly caused by excessive alcohol and certain medications), fatty liver, indigestion (German Commission E), gallbladder, ulcerative colitis

Genitourinary: May help reduce symptoms in menopause (esp. hot flashes)

Skin: Possibly acne (little evidence)

Glucose: May help lower glucose levels

Cholesterol: Helps lower bad (LDL) cholesterol - especially in diabetics, increases good cholesterol

Cancer: Possibly anti-cancer

Other: Possibly instrumental in weight loss, may help decrease C-reactive protein (a measure of inflammation)

                                                          *   *   *

SIDE EFFECTS: Stomach problems, headache, rash, diarrhea

CAUTION/CONTRAINDICATIONS: Breast cancer, endometriosis, akkergirs to ragwees and related olants, uterine cancer and fibroids; diabetes medications (may make blood sugar too low), Interactions with many medications - especially anticoagulants, anticonvulsants, NSAIDS, Losartan and other CYP2C9 medications, potential cross-sensitivity for those with allergies to related plants (daisy, marigold, zinnias, etc. from the asteracae family)

FORMS: Capsules, tablets, extract

Recommended Brands

One of the biggest issues found in milk thistle supplements is pesticide contamination. Some products have also been shown to contain less silymarin (the key active compound) than stated on the label. The following products passed ConsumerLab testing for quality, purity, and accuracy:

• Bronson® Milk Thistle (with dandelion root) capsules 111.1 mg 

• Gaia Herbs® Milk Thistle capsules 750 mg 

• Jarrow Formulas® Milk Thistle capsules 150 mg — order through Fullscript link

• Life Extension® Advanced Milk Thistle softgels — order through Life Extension link

I only recommend herbal and supplement brands that meet high standards for safety, effectiveness, and transparency. I research each product before sharing. Some links—such as Life Extension, Fullscript and Nature Made—are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. It helps support this free site. These links often offer discounts, fast shipping, and helpful reviews.

Dosage

As directed on the product label.

There is no single “usual” dose of milk thistle because products vary widely in strength, extraction method, and silymarin content. That’s why “As directed on the product label” is always the correct primary guidance.

What consumer and research sources commonly report

These amounts appear frequently in consumer health references and study summaries, but they are not standardized and not evidence‑based clinical recommendations:

• 20–300 mg by mouth 1–2 times daily

• Higher amounts (e.g., 200–600 mg daily) appear in some study summaries, especially for metabolic or liver‑related research

• Standardized extracts often reference silymarin content, but this varies dramatically between brands

*Disclaimer: The material above is for informational purposes only. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure a condition. The uses listed above are tentative; some have or are undergoing research trials, but many are not FDA-approved. It is essential that you investigate these supplements further before deciding to use them. Check interactions and contraindications on sites like Drugs.com or WebMD. Do not attempt to treat a serious condition like liver, kidney problems, high blood pressure, heart, cancer, diabetes, or thyroid issues without discussing it with a healthcare provider first. If you are pregnant or nursing a baby, please do not use supplements without discussing it with your healthcare provider.