HERB PROFILE · EDUCATIONAL REFERENCE

Milk Thistle

Botanical nameSilybum marianum

Plant part usedSeed/fruit

Important safety information: Asteraceae allergy possible; liver disease requires medical care; tincture strength varies because silymarin is poorly water-soluble.

Herbal actions

Hepatoprotective
antioxidant
anti-inflammatory

Traditional and practitioner uses

These uses are presented for historical and educational context. They are not treatment claims.

Traditional liver support
Recovery support after hepatic stress
Dyspepsia associated with sluggish bile

Main constituents

Silymarin complex (silibinin etc.), flavonolignans, fatty oil

Preparation overview

Tea: Decoction (limited extraction). Crush seeds well; tea extracts silymarin poorly compared with suitable standardised preparations.

Liquid extract reference: 1:5

Preparation strengths are not interchangeable. Open the interactive guide for the complete evidence notes and sources available for this herb.

Herbilous provides educational information only. It does not diagnose, prescribe, or replace professional medical advice. Seek urgent care for severe or worsening symptoms.