Milk thistle is a herb which belongs to the ragweed and daisy family. It comes from the leaves of the milky sap. When the leaves are crushed then a milky fluid is produced from them which is known as milk thistle. It is a flowering herb that acts as a natural ingredient to help cure many problems. Silybinin is one of its important components. Generally, its seeds are used for the purpose of making medicines. It is usually found in the Mediterranean countries. It has been used for over 2000 years to cure the problems of kidney, liver, gall bladder, hepatitis etc. Milk thistle works as an amazing doctor to cure the health related problems.
No doubt that milk thistle is a natural boon to treat the health ailments but it has another side also that makes it a curse. It is a great benefit and an effective tool in curing various health problems but if consumed for a long time can turn out to be disastrous. Here are some side effects of milk thistle that can produce some life threatening problems:
10 Shocking Side Effects of Milk Thistle
1. Lowers Blood Sugar Level
People suffering from diabetes must avoid the consumption of milk thistle as it can lower the blood sugar level in the person. Therefore, diabetic patients should be given proper care and dosage must be adjusted.(1)
2. During Breastfeeding and Pregnancy
Consumption of milk thistle during breastfeeding and pregnancy is not recommended as it creates many problems and allergies in the body that may affect the health of the mother and the baby. So, it is better to avoid the consumption of milk thistle at such a crucial time.(2)
3. Allergies
It has been seen that after the intake milk thistle some people have a complaint about feeling uneasiness. Milk thistle also lowers the platelets count and causes a headache. It creates allergies also.(3)
4. Not Advisable for People Suffering from Liver Disorders
It is not suggested to be administered to the people who are suffering from liver problem to have milk thistle as it can create laxative effects on the body. It can also lead to stomach upset and allergies.(4)
5. Diarrhea
Intake of milk thistle causes diarrhea which can further lead to other serious problems. The stomach might get upset frequently. Vomiting can also be a problem caused by the intake of milk thistle.(5)
6. Hormone Problem
The components in the milk thistle plant can act like estrogen and if there is an increase in the amount of estrogen that might create a problem for you.(6)
7. Interacts with Drugs
Milk thistle sometimes acts as an intruder by interacting with some drugs that can lead to some dangerous reactions and can be troublesome. The reactions caused by the drugs and milk thistle can also affect stomach, intestines, skin and heart also.
Milk thistle is a medicine that can cure many health related problems but like every other medicine, it also has some harmful effects on the body. All the problems that can be caused by the consumption of milk thistle have been stated above. The reasons for the effect vary because of many factors. Some are health related while others are related to the heavy usage of milk thistle.
It is important to use it in a limited and controlled amount on an average the dosage should be approximately between 280-800 mg of silymarin and the concentration of silymarin in milk thistle is between 70-80%. If milk thistle is taken in the amount prescribed then there will not be many problems caused by it and if still, some problem persists then a doctor must be consulted.(7) (8)
8. Swelling of Lips
The excessive intake of milk thistle can cause the swelling of lips. The lips will be swelled and there will be some redness around the lips. In such case, it is better to consult a doctor or use some homemade methods to mitigate the affected area. It can also lead to itchiness on the lips.
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9. Indigestion
Indigestion and gastrointestinal disturbances were seen as one of the main problems created by milk thistle. At times these problems can turn out to be severe and can disturb the functioning of the entire body.
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10. Loss of Appetite
This is another effect of milk thistle caused in the body. It leads to the loss of appetite which leads to weakness. Because of which the body feels shaky and the person is not able to do anything properly.
Scientific Evidence:
- The therapeutic potential of milk thistle in diabetes : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25396404/
- [Silymarin in pregnancy and during hormonal contraceptive treatment. Blood chemistry and ultrastructural findings in the experimental model] : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/549550/
- Milk Thistle : https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/milk-thistle
- Milk Thistle: Effects on Liver Disease and Cirrhosis and Clinical Adverse Effects: Summary : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK11896/
- PDQ Cancer Information Summaries : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK65780/
- Drug-drug interactions of silymarin on the perspective of pharmacokinetics : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19041708/
- Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) : https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/silybum-marianum
- Herb-drug interactions: a literature review : https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15916450/
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