Silymarin, a flavonoid complex extracted from the milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum), has a long history of traditional use for liver ailments. In recent decades, it has also been the subject of scientific investigation for its potential role in supporting and treating hepatitis, particularly viral and toxic hepatitis.

The evidence supporting silymarin’s use in hepatitis is modest but present. Laboratory and animal studies suggest that silymarin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties, and may help protect liver cells from damage by toxins and oxidative stress. Several clinical trials have examined silymarin in patients with chronic hepatitis (such as hepatitis B and C), and some report mild improvements in liver enzyme levels and symptoms. However, most human studies are small, have methodological limitations, or show only marginal benefits. Large, high-quality randomized controlled trials have generally failed to demonstrate significant effects on viral load or long-term outcomes.

Major liver associations and guidelines do not currently recommend silymarin as a primary treatment for hepatitis, but they acknowledge its relative safety and the possibility of minor symptomatic improvement. Overall, the scientific evidence rates as low to moderate (2/5), supporting a possible adjunctive role rather than a primary therapy for hepatitis.