NSTK · 01.2026Independent supplement reference
NutriStack
Edition 1.0Updated July 13, 2026

Milk Thistle

Herb ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026

The premier liver-protective herb, used for over 2,000 years. Silymarin complex protects hepatocytes from toxin damage and supports liver regeneration.

Evidence tier
Moderate
Indexed sources
18 2001–2025
Interactions
0
Cost / month
$4.50 budget
Read the sources → Compare profiles
Publication status

Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.

See the editorial and medical-review policies for the publication gate.

This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.

In short

What the research says.

A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.

Milk Thistle is a herb most often used for liver protection, detoxification support, antioxidant. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate. A typical adult dose is 200–600 mg silymarin daily, commonly taken as standardized to 80% silymarin; phytosome form (siliphos) for better absorption. This profile indexes 18 sources.

What it's good for
  • Liver protection2,3
  • Detoxification support
  • Antioxidant16
  • Cholesterol support6,8
  • Skin health
What to watch for
  • Mild laxative effect
  • GI upset
  • Allergic reaction (ragweed family)
  • Ragweed/daisy allergy
  • Hormone-sensitive conditions (weak estrogenic)13

The bottom line

Evidence rating moderate. Most-documented uses: liver protection, detoxification support, antioxidant. 18 sources indexed (2001–2025), with 0 interaction records on file.

The science

How it works, mechanistically.

Core mechanism

Silymarin (especially silybin) stabilizes hepatocyte cell membranes by altering lipid composition. Stimulates ribosomal RNA polymerase to increase protein synthesis for liver regeneration. Potent antioxidant that increases intracellular glutathione by up to 35%. Inhibits NF-κB.14,5

Class
Liver-Support Herb
Found in food
Milk thistle seeds, Artichoke (related benefits)
Low-status signs
Not applicable
Absorption
Water-soluble; take with food
Dosing

Dosing & protocol.

Common range
200–600 mg silymarin daily
Recommended form
Standardized to 80% silymarin; phytosome form (Siliphos) for better absorption

Phytosome forms significantly improve bioavailability3,15

Cost

What it actually costs.

Real-world pricing across three quality tiers. Assumes Standardized Silymarin Extract.

BudgetBest value
$4.50 /mo
$0.15 per dose
Mid
$9.60 /mo
$0.32 per dose
Premium
$19.50 /mo
$0.65 per dose

Assumes 200-600 mg silymarin/day. Vendor basis: NOW/iHerb, Vitacost, Life Extension, and Amazon marketplace; phytosome forms price higher. Updated 2026-05-28.

From food

The same dose, as food.

How much you'd eat to match a supplemental dose.

200-600 mg silymarin
Milk thistle seed tea, ground milk thistle seed, seed-containing blends, artichoke, and other thistle-family foods provide related botanicals but not standardized silymarin.

Silymarin extract potency is not matched by normal culinary servings.

Safety

Full safety detail.

Side effects

  • Mild laxative effect
  • GI upset
  • Allergic reaction (ragweed family)

Contraindications

  • Ragweed/daisy allergy
  • Hormone-sensitive conditions (weak estrogenic)13
  • CYP enzyme interactions2,7
Sources

Sources, by evidence tier.

Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.

Meta-analyses & systematic reviews

12

Reviews & position papers

5

Reference material

1
FAQ

Common questions.

Quick answers about Milk Thistle, drawn from the data on this page.

What is Milk Thistle?

The premier liver-protective herb, used for over 2,000 years. Silymarin complex protects hepatocytes from toxin damage and supports liver regeneration.

What is Milk Thistle used for?

Commonly cited benefits of Milk Thistle include: Liver protection; Detoxification support; Antioxidant; Cholesterol support; Skin health. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as moderate.

What is a typical dose of Milk Thistle?

A typical adult dose of Milk Thistle is 200–600 mg silymarin daily. The commonly recommended form is Standardized to 80% silymarin; phytosome form (Siliphos) for better absorption. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.

What are the side effects of Milk Thistle?

Reported side effects include mild laxative effect, gi upset, allergic reaction (ragweed family). This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.

How strong is the evidence for Milk Thistle?

NutriStack rates this as Moderate, meaning several aligned RCTs or one large RCT plus supporting reviews. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.

Use this with your stack

Milk Thistle in NutriStack.

Add it to your stack, see how it interacts with everything else you take, and get a Stack Score that updates the moment it does.

Download on the App Store → Read the methodology

NutriStack is an informational and organizational tool, not a medical service, and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.