Overview
Silybum marianum flavonolignans for liver.
- Whole dried plant material (root, leaf, flower, or aerial parts depending on the species)
- Standardized hydroethanolic or aqueous extract (capsule, tincture, or tea)
- Powdered traditional preparation used in Ayurvedic, TCM, or Western herbal practice
- Standardized extract capsule
- Liquid tincture (alcohol or glycerin)
- Powdered whole herb
- Traditional decoction or tea
Mechanism of action
Antioxidant; stabilizes hepatocyte membranes.
- · Antioxidant
- · stabilizes hepatocyte membranes
Effects on the body
Organ system effects
Silymarin (Milk Thistle) supports hepatocyte antioxidant defenses (glutathione, Nrf2) and phase-I/II detoxification.
Evidence-based benefits
Improves liver enzymes
Moderate evidencePotential side effects
- · GI upset
Drug interactions
Safety & non-supplemental interactions
Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.
- ·Pregnant or breastfeeding (insufficient safety data)
- ·Children under 18 (unless directed by a clinician)
Supplement interactions
- Milk thistle (silymarin)Complementary hepatoprotective antioxidant pathways.
- NACRestores hepatic glutathione.
No specific avoidances listed.
Dosing & bioavailability
Where to buy
Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Amazon code supplementsch-20 is auto-applied at checkout. We don't endorse specific brands; verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.
Third-party testedIndependently verified Silymarin (Milk Thistle) — look for USP, NSF, or Informed Sport seals on the label for purity and dose accuracy.Silymarin (Milk Thistle) third party tested NSF
CapsulesPre-measured Silymarin (Milk Thistle) capsules — easiest for travel and consistent daily dosing without scoops or scales.Silymarin (Milk Thistle) capsules
PowderBulk unflavored Silymarin (Milk Thistle) powder — best cost-per-gram and flexible dosing for stacking or mixing into drinks.Silymarin (Milk Thistle) powder unflavored
Best sellersMost-purchased Silymarin (Milk Thistle) products on Amazon — a quick way to see what's reviewed widely before you commit.Silymarin (Milk Thistle) best sellerScientific evidence8Show studiesHide studies
Silymarin in NAFLD
Loguercio C, et al.
138 NAFLD patients
Improved ALT and steatosis.
PubMed: Silymarin (Milk Thistle) — Improves liver enzymes
Live PubMed search
Live results for "Silymarin (Milk Thistle) Improves liver enzymes" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.
Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Silymarin (Milk Thistle) and "Improves liver enzymes". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.
PubMed: Silymarin (Milk Thistle) — randomized controlled trial
Live PubMed search
Live results for "Silymarin (Milk Thistle) randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.
Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Silymarin (Milk Thistle) and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.
PubMed: Silymarin (Milk Thistle) — meta-analysis
Live PubMed search
Live results for "Silymarin (Milk Thistle) meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.
Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Silymarin (Milk Thistle) and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.
PubMed: Silymarin (Milk Thistle) — pharmacokinetics
Live PubMed search
Live results for "Silymarin (Milk Thistle) pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.
Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Silymarin (Milk Thistle) and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.
PubMed: Silymarin (Milk Thistle) — safety adverse events
Live PubMed search
Live results for "Silymarin (Milk Thistle) safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.
Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Silymarin (Milk Thistle) and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.
PubMed: Silymarin (Milk Thistle) — dose response
Live PubMed search
Live results for "Silymarin (Milk Thistle) dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.
Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Silymarin (Milk Thistle) and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.
Google Scholar: Silymarin (Milk Thistle) — clinical evidence
Live Scholar search
Cross-database citation index for Silymarin (Milk Thistle) as it relates to "clinical evidence".
Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.