Milk thistle is an herbal supplement that has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for various health conditions. Some proponents claim that milk thistle can be beneficial for the stomach by helping to relieve indigestion, decrease inflammation, and protect against damage caused by alcohol. However, more research is still needed to fully understand milk thistle’s effects on stomach health.
What is milk thistle?
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a flowering herb related to the daisy family. It gets its name from the distinctive milky white veins on its leaves. The leaves, seeds, and stems of the milk thistle plant have been used medicinally since ancient times. Milk thistle seeds contain active flavonoid compounds called silymarin that are considered the primary beneficial components of the plant.
How might milk thistle help the stomach?
Here are some of the proposed ways that milk thistle may support stomach health:
May relieve indigestion
Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, refers to symptoms like bloating, gas, nausea, feeling overly full during or after eating, and abdominal discomfort. Milk thistle contains silymarin flavonoids that may help relax the smooth muscle tissue in the digestive tract, helping to relieve cramping and spasms that can contribute to indigestion.
May reduce inflammation
Inflammation in the stomach lining can contribute to indigestion as well as more serious conditions like gastritis. Silymarin has been shown to reduce inflammatory markers and help prevent damage to the stomach’s protective mucosal lining caused by excessive inflammation.
May protect against alcohol damage
Excessive alcohol intake is known to cause irritation and inflammation in the stomach lining that can lead to gastritis, ulcers, bleeding, and other issues. Milk thistle may help limit this damage by decreasing inflammation, enhancing antioxidant activity, and stimulating cell regeneration in the stomach.
What does the research say?
Studies examining the effects of milk thistle specifically on stomach health are limited, but some promising research includes:
- A study in 47 adults with indigestion found those who took a milk thistle extract for 4 weeks reported a significant decrease in dyspepsia symptoms compared to placebo.
- One study gave milk thistle extract to rats with gastric ulcers induced by alcohol and found it decreased inflammation and accelerated healing of the stomach lining compared to control groups.
- A review of 4 clinical trials found that milk thistle helped improve upper gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, pain, and indigestion in patients being treated for various psychiatric disorders.
More large-scale human research is still needed, but these preliminary studies suggest milk thistle supplementation may be helpful for stomach-related issues.
What are the side effects?
Milk thistle is generally considered safe for most people, with very few side effects reported. Possible side effects can include:
- Digestive issues like diarrhea, nausea, or gas
- Allergic reaction in those sensitive to plants in the daisy family
- Headaches
- Rash or itching
Milk thistle can interact with certain medications like allergy pills, anti-anxiety drugs, statins, and others. Make sure to consult your healthcare provider before starting milk thistle if you take any medications.
Recommended milk thistle dosage
There is no official recommended daily allowance for milk thistle. However, most studies and supplement labels suggest the following dosages:
| Form of Milk Thistle | Dosage Range |
|---|---|
| Crude seed extract | 150-300 mg daily |
| Standardized silymarin extract | 80-500 mg daily |
Talk to your doctor to determine the appropriate dosage for your needs. Many herbal medicine practitioners recommend taking milk thistle supplements for 4-12 weeks to see benefits.
Conclusion
Early research suggests that milk thistle may offer supportive effects for the stomach by reducing inflammation, preventing damage, and easing indigestion. However, larger clinical studies on humans are still needed to confirm these benefits. Milk thistle is very well-tolerated by most people. If you are interested in trying milk thistle for stomach issues, talk to your healthcare provider first to make sure it’s an appropriate choice for you.