Supplement reference
Milk Thistle
A source-linked reference on Milk Thistle, evidence, safety and product identity. Sources checked 6 September 2026.
Source and review status
Published sources checked
Sources checked on: 6 September 2026
Qualified clinical review: Pending. This page has not been clinically reviewed.
About this source check
AI-assisted editorial source checking covers the cited material and its stated limits. It is not a systematic review, verification of a supplied product, or clinical sign-off.
Editorial role: InfoAddict. Last material change: 6 September 2026. Next source review: 6 March 2027.
Ingredient and preparation
Milk thistle refers to Silybum marianum; silymarin is a mixture of constituents in many extracts.
Sources: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
Evidence and limits
NCCIH says there is not enough high-quality evidence for definite conclusions about milk thistle on health conditions. It notes that two NCCIH-funded studies did not show benefit from silymarin for hepatitis C or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
Sources: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
Safety and a useful record
Herbal products can interact with medicines. Do not use an extract label to self-manage liver disease or replace investigation of abnormal tests.
Sources: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
Record the extract name, standardisation if shown, laboratory context and medicines for a clinician conversation.
Sources: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health
Published sources
- Milk Thistle: Usefulness and Safety
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Current NCCIH reference; accessed 6 September 2026.
Supports: Milk-thistle identity, limited clinical evidence and interaction context.
- Safe Use of Complementary Health Products and Practices
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Current NCCIH reference; accessed 6 September 2026.
Supports: General safety, interaction and contamination context. It does not establish ingredient-specific benefit.
Change history
| Date | Change | Clinical-review status |
|---|---|---|
| 6 September 2026 | Source-linked reference published | Pending |
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