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Milk thistle is a tall plant with large purple flowers that is native to Europe. It was introduced into North America by early colonists. The main constituent of milk thistle extract is silymarin, a mixture of compounds. Historically, milk thistle was used for liver disorders and to increase breast milk production. Milk thistle is promoted as a dietary supplement for liver disorders, diabetes, and other conditions.

There isn’t enough high-quality evidence to allow definite conclusions to be reached about the effects of milk thistle on health conditions in people.

Results from a small number of studies in people show that milk thistle extracts may help to control blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. Most of this research was done in Middle Eastern countries, and it is unclear whether the same results would be seen in other parts of the world. Results from clinical trials of milk thistle for liver diseases, such as alcohol-related liver disease, hepatitis B and C, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and liver problems caused by cancer chemotherapy, low oxygen levels, or toxins have been conflicting or too limited to allow conclusions to be reached. Two studies funded by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health—one on hepatitis C and one on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (a progressive form of fatty liver disease)—did not show benefits from supplementation with the milk thistle extract silymarin. It is unclear whether milk thistle has an effect on breast milk production. It’s not known whether milk thistle is helpful for other conditions.

Milk thistle, when taken orally, appears to be well tolerated. The most common side effects are digestive symptoms such as bloating, nausea, and gas. Concerns have been raised about poor chemical and microbiological quality of milk thistle dietary supplements sold in the United States and other countries. Some products have been found to contain amounts of silymarin substantially different from what’s stated on the label or to be contaminated with pesticides, microorganisms, or mycotoxins (harmful substances produced by molds or other fungi). Milk thistle may cause allergic reactions, particularly among people who are allergic to related plants (for example, ragweed, chrysanthemum, marigold, and daisy). If you take any type of medicine, talk with your health care provider before using milk thistle or other herbal products; some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways. Little is known about whether it’s safe to use milk thistle during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Zusätzliche Literaturverweise aus der lokalen Suche. Titel und Metadaten wurden gefunden; Abstracts und Aussagen wurden damit noch nicht bewertet.

• Silybum marianum against multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens: mechanisms of action, synergistic therapy, nanoformulations, and clinical translation. · PMID 42766136
• Silybum marianum-Derived Compounds in Prostate Cancer: Mechanisms of Action and Translational Potential. · PMID 42196582
• Antidiabetic Potential of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. and Brachylaena discolor DC (Asteraceae) in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. · PMID 41225818

NCCIH: Milk Thistle. Abgerufen: 27.10.2026. Öffentliche Originaltexte; Bildrechte separat.

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