Milk thistle has also been known to be used as food.

Milk thistle seems to have few side effects, even when taken for years.

There is no information available regarding the use of milk thistle by children.

Have any side effects or risks been reported from milk thistle?

Milk thistle is sometimes used as a natural treatment for liver problems.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of milk thistle for these uses.

It's unclear if milk thistle may have the same effects in other people.

Remember when he had asked about milk thistle and taurine?

All potential risks and/or advantages of milk thistle may not be known.

More information is needed before doctors can say milk thistle actually benefits the liver.

Around the 16th century the milk thistle became quite popular and almost all parts of it were eaten.

Do not take milk thistle without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

No information is available regarding a missed dose of milk thistle.

Research has backed up some uses of milk thistle for liver health.

Toxic effects have apparently not been reported from consumption of milk thistle, he said.

It is not known whether milk thistle will harm an unborn baby.

In general, milk thistle should be protected from light.

Although rare, allergic reactions to milk thistle have been reported.

Have any clinical trials (research studies with people) of milk thistle been conducted?

Other substances in milk thistle have not been extensively studied.

Rare cases of milk thistle having a laxative effect have been reported.

Women who are breastfeeding or pregnant should avoid using milk thistle.

Your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider may have more information about milk thistle.

Very few bad side effects from the use of milk thistle or silymarin have been reported (see Question 7).

Taking milk thistle might affect how well the liver breaks down drugs.

Silybum marianum (I)

Other genera known as thistles include Carduus, Cynara, Onopordon, and Silybum.

These differ from other thistle genera (Carduus, Silybum and Onopordum) in having feathered hairs to their achenes.

Milk thistle is a thistle of the genus Silybum, a flowering plant of the daisy family (Asteraceae).

The larvae feed on Arctium, Carduus, Cirsium, Cynara and Silybum species.

Sow thistles are known as "milk thistles" in some regions, although true milk thistles belong to the genus Silybum.

It is best known as a controversial agent of biological pest control which has been used against noxious thistles in the genera Carduus, Cirsium, Onopordum, and Silybum.

Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertner, the Blessed Milk Thistle, which has a large number of other common names, such as Variegated Thistle.

-Milk thistle (SILYBUM MARIANUM).

Sonnenbichler J, Scalera F, Sonnenbichler I, et al.: Stimulatory effects of silibinin and silicristin from the milk thistle Silybum marianum on kidney cells.

Milk thistle is also known as holy thistle, lady's thistle, Mary thistle, Marian thistle, St. Mary thistle, silybum, and Silybum marianum.