supplement

Milk Thistle

Also known as: Silymarin

Half-life
6 h
Typical timing
with_meal
Food rule
with food
Default unit
mg

Studied for

Overview

Milk thistle (botanical name *Silybum marianum*) is a flowering herb related to the daisy and ragweed family. It is native to Mediterranean countries. Historically, milk thistle has been used for liver disorders and gallbladder problems. The active compounds in milk thistle are a group of flavonoids called silymarin. Silymarin is extracted from the seeds of the plant and is believed to be the primary reason for milk thistle's medicinal properties. It is commonly available as an oral supplement, often standardized to contain a certain percentage of silymarin. (NIH ODS)

Deep dive

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Known interactions

  • Category rule: glp1 × supplement
    Note

    GLP-1 medications slow stomach emptying, changing how/when oral supplements absorb; rapid weight loss raises the importance of protein and micronutrients.

    Time oral supplements when nausea is lowest; prioritize protein and micronutrients; discuss with your provider.

  • Category rule: supplement × medication
    Note

    Some supplements change how the body processes medications (absorption, liver enzymes, or additive effects).

    Specific pairs are checked against a licensed drug database and shown with their own severity. Always confirm with your provider or pharmacist.

Frequently asked

Sources referenced

["NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS)", "MedlinePlus", "PubChem", "DrugBank", "Cochrane Library"]

Stackwise compiles summaries from publicly available scientific and regulatory references. Always verify important decisions with a licensed clinician.

Related compounds

Others in the supplement category or studied for the same goals.

Related benefits

Other compounds studied for the same benefits as Milk Thistle.

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