Milk thistle is a spiny-leafed Mediterranean plant whose spotted leaves and purple flowers contain silymarin, a potent flavonolignan complex traditionally used to support liver function and detoxification. Its seeds have been valued for centuries in Western herbalism as a hepatoprotective agent, particularly for liver damage from alcohol, toxins, or viral infection.
seed, fruit
extract, capsule, tincture, powder
140–300mg silymarin extract 3x daily; 1–1.5g standardized seed powder daily
Generally safe. Rare allergic reactions.
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