Relationship: Gall Stones and milk thistle

Evidence supporting the use of: Milk thistle
For the health condition: Gall Stones

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis
Other ingredients for this health condition
Other health conditions supported by this ingredient
Products containing this ingredient

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is primarily used in traditional herbal medicine to support liver and gallbladder health, including for conditions such as gallstones. Its use is rooted in centuries of folk medicine, particularly in Europe and the Mediterranean region. Traditional herbalists have believed that milk thistle’s active compounds, particularly silymarin, help to stimulate bile flow and support detoxification processes, which are thought to aid in preventing the formation of gallstones or supporting their passage.

However, scientific validation for milk thistle’s efficacy in treating or preventing gallstones is limited. Most clinical research on milk thistle focuses on its hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) effects, especially in cases of toxin-induced liver damage or chronic liver diseases like hepatitis and cirrhosis. There are very few clinical studies directly examining its effects on gallstone formation or treatment. Some laboratory and animal studies suggest that silymarin can enhance bile flow (choleretic activity), theoretically reducing the risk of gallstone formation, but these findings have not been robustly confirmed in human trials.

In summary, while milk thistle is traditionally used for gallbladder health and is sometimes recommended for gallstones in complementary medicine, there is insufficient scientific evidence to strongly support these uses. The overall quality and quantity of evidence for its efficacy in gallstone management are low, and its use for this purpose remains primarily traditional rather than evidence-based.

More about Milk thistle
More about Gall Stones

Products containing Milk thistle

Health Concerns

Brands

Evidence supporting the use of: Milk thistle
For the health condition: Gall Stones

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Gall Stones

Other health conditions supported by Milk thistle

Products containing Milk thistle

Health Concerns

Brands

Evidence supporting the use of: Milk thistleFor the health condition: Gall Stones

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Other ingredients used for Gall Stones

Other health conditions supported by Milk thistle

Products containing Milk thistle

Evidence supporting the use of: Milk thistle
For the health condition: Gall Stones