Talk to your doctor before beginning a milk thistle supplement regimen. There are 23 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. If you're allergic to other plants in the asteraceae family, such as ragweed, daisies, marigolds, and chrysanthemums, you're more likely to be allergic to milk thistle. Your doctor can also discuss any possible side effects and drug interactions with you. If you don’t want to boil them, you can also eat the stalks raw as a nice snack. Subscribe to get special offers, free giveaways, and once-in-a-lifetime deals. Milk thistle is a well-known herb that’s gaining popularity in natural medicine. Silymarin is a flavonoid believed to have antioxidant properties.Milk thistle is sold as an oral capsule, tablet, powder and liquid extract. Susannah Kerwin, ANP-BC, HNP. Milk thistle was one of the most popular liver herb "alteratives" used in European herbalism and folklore, mentioned in books and documented in herbals throughout the ages. The most common amount administered for a milk thistle liver cleanse is anywhere from 140 … Here are 5 of our favorite ways to incorporate an antioxidant punch into any meal, plus the many benefits you stand to gain by doing so. Note: The beneficial constituents of milk thistle do not readily dissolve in water, so for best results, consuming the whole seed is preferred. If any chaff falls into the bucket, just pick them out by hand. Although the liver benefits of milk thistle are praised the most, there are several studies that suggest it can also lower the levels of cholesterol in the body and manage the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Milk thistle also has the ability to regenerate the liver, so it can help the liver heal itself in some cases. This makes milk thistle versatile enough to use in a number of recipes, including: (10, 21, 40, 220-226) The steps below outline how to make milk thistle tea. If you're having trouble breathing, call 911 and get to your nearest hospital immediately. It’s recommended to take milk thistle daily for at least a month, preferably three months or more for best results. My favorite healthy juicing recipe to use milk thistle with is the Beet Juice Liver Cleanser. However, the use of milk thistle as an herbal treatment for liver disorders actually dates way back to the Medieval Period. Milk thistle is a plant with white markings on its leaves, from which it derives its name. This article has been viewed 17,624 times. Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-milk-thistle/art-20362885, https://www.healthline.com/health/milk-thistle-benefits, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/milk-thistle-benefits#section8, https://www.healthline.com/health/milk-thistle-benefits#how-to-take-it, https://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/10/milk-thistle-extract-combats-mushroom-poisoning/, https://www.cambridgenaturals.com/blog/milk-thistle-food-for-the-liver, https://food.unl.edu/toasting-nuts-and-seeds-using-microwave-oven-or-stove-top, https://www.myorganiclife.info/milk-thistle-seed/, https://www.therighttea.com/milk-thistle-tea.html, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. : Now that the flower heads have dried thoroughly, separate the seeds from the chaff by shaking the bag or container. How to take milk thistle It is usually taken as tablets or capsules, but can also be taken as a powder, tincture or tea. Susannah also serves as an adjunct faculty member for NYU. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. One of the most common uses of milk thistle is to treat liver problems. It's simple to use milk thistle as a medicine or a food, though you should always consult your doctor before beginning any herbal regimen. Doses range from 175 milligrams to 1,000 milligrams. Step 4: Separate the chaff further by winnowing – where you put a large bucket on the ground and pour the seeds into the bucket against the wind so that the wind blows away the chaff. You can also press on them with your hands to help separate. Milk thistle might have estrogenic effects. “Milk thistle can be given 2-3 times daily,” says Krause. Milk thistle seeds contain the highest level of its beneficial silymarin compounds. Along with talking with a professional about dose, continue to check in and carry on the conversation about how long you should take milk thistle for your hormones. Share on Pinterest. Susannah holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of San Francisco. have shown contain powerful antioxidant properties. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Because milk thistle increases bile secretion, the optimum time of day to take it is in the morning. You might want to put on some protective gear like thick gardening gloves before you set out for harvesting. Pour near-boiling water into cup with tea ball and let steep for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. For a homemade brew from the seeds, crush the seeds in a mortar or coffee grinder until you obtain a fine powder. Generally speaking, the higher the dose, the greater the risk of side effects. Then pour it in a container and you can enjoy the soothing drink, which takes care of your liver health. [2] X Research source The scientific evidence behind many of the medicinal uses of milk thistle is still inconclusive. STEP 2 . There are a number of other online retailers that also sell milk thistle. Trustworthy Source Check the label for the amount of milk thistle that is present in the product you will be eating. However, it is generally safe to use milk thistle when taken in appropriate doses, and it could be beneficial. Stalks – When boiled, the stalks can be used as a replacement for kale or cabbage and thrown into a nice soup. Prior to becoming a Nurse Practitioner, Susannah worked for more than ten years as a Registered Nurse in psychiatric and surgical settings. Milk thistle is also touted as a toxin-removing "cleanse." Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Take-Milk-Thistle-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Take-Milk-Thistle-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c1\/Take-Milk-Thistle-Step-1.jpg\/aid10606717-v4-728px-Take-Milk-Thistle-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"