Evidence supporting the use of: Milk thistle
For the body system: Hepatic System

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is widely used to support the hepatic (liver) system, with its primary active component, silymarin, being the focus of most research. Scientifically, silymarin is recognized for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and membrane-stabilizing properties, which are thought to protect liver cells from toxins and promote liver regeneration. Several clinical studies have investigated milk thistle for conditions such as alcoholic liver disease, hepatitis, and toxin-induced liver damage. Some randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses suggest modest benefits in improving liver function tests and reducing liver-related symptoms, although results are mixed and methodological quality varies. Regulatory agencies such as the German Commission E approve milk thistle for supportive treatment of chronic inflammatory liver conditions. However, major health organizations note that while milk thistle appears safe, conclusive evidence for substantial clinical benefit in serious liver diseases is lacking. In summary, milk thistle’s use for hepatic support is justified by both traditional use and a moderate level of scientific validation, reflected in an evidence rating of 3/5 due to promising but not definitive clinical data.

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Other ingredients that support Hepatic System

AHCC
Algae
alpha-lipoic acid
amino acids
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
andrographolide
animal protein
Antrodia camphorata
apigenin
Arginine carglumate
artichoke
baicalein
barberry
Basidiomycota
Beef liver
berberine
berry
betanin
bile acid
bile salt
bitter principals
black garlic
black seed
Boerhavia diffusa
boldo
borotutu
bovine
bovine liver
Brassica
broccoli
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
capers
capillary artemisia
carqueja
catalpol
chanca piedra
Chinese thoroughwax
chlorogenic acid
cholic acid
Coenzyme A
corilagin
cruciferous
Curcuma
curcumin
Curcuminoid
cynarin
cynaropicrin
d-glucarate
dandelion
dehydrocholic acid
dihydrolipoic acid
dihydromyricetin
dithiolthiones
DL-Methionine
Eclipta
egg
emblicanin
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
eriocitrin
ferulic acid
flavonolignan
fringetree
fungus
gallate
gamma-glutamylcysteine
ganoderma
garlic bulb
gentian root
Gentiana manshurica
Ginsenosides
glucose
Glycochenodeoxycholic acid
Glycocholic acid
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Glycyrrhizin
gooseberry
green tea
Guggulsterones
Gypenoside
herbal blend (proprietary)
hesperetin
isoliquiritigenin
isosilybin
jiaogulan
Jurubeba
kale
Kutkins
L-glutathione
L-methionine
L-ornithine
lecithin
lingzhi
liquid liver fractions
mangiferin
Maslinic acid
Matcha
Milk thistle
Monoterpenes
Mushroom
Myricetin
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Naringenin
Naringin
Niacin (vitamin B3)
Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
Nigella seed
Nobiletin
oleanolic acid
olive
ornithine L-aspartic acid
ox bile
Oxymatrine
pantethine
parsley
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
phenolic compounds
Phenylpropanoids
phosphatidylcholine
phospholipids
Phthalides
Phyllanthus
picrorhiza kurroa
Picroside
Plukenetia volubilis
Polydatin
polymethoxylated flavones
polyphenols
pu-er tea
Puerarin
pumpkin
punarnava
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
S-allylcysteine
Salvianolic acid
Schisandrins
Schizandrol A
Scoparia dulcis
Sesamin
Silybin
Silybum
Silychristin
Silydianin
silymarin
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Taraxacum
Taurochenodeoxycholic acid
Taurocholic acid
Taurodeoxycholic acid
Taxifolin
Terminalia
Terpenoids
Theabrownin
Thistle
Thymoquinone
tocotrienols
trace minerals
Trimethylglycine (TMG)
Triphala
Triterpenes
turmeric
vitamin B
Watercress
Wogonin
Xanthohumol
Xanthorrhizol
Yin Chen
Zinc

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