Milk Thistle: Scientific Evidence

Randomized Clinical Trials (RCTs) are considered the highest form of scientific evidence.  A group of people with the same condition are divided into two groups, and randomly assigned to receive the medicine or a placebo.  Neither the patient nor the doctors know which group they are in until the results are assessed.

The following are RCTs in the National Library of Medicine listed when you search “Silymarin double blind.”

Phytotherapy Res. Aug 2020.  The results showed that S. marianum can decrease frequency and severity of hot flashes significantly in Menopause. (1)

Phytotherapy Res. Feb 2019.  Results: Prophylactic administration of silymarin gel could significantly reduce the severity of radiodermatitis and delay its occurrence after 5 weeks of application. (2)

Radiodermatitis is being burned by radiation from your doctors care.

J Evid Based Complementary Altern Med Oct 2017.  Results: The mean serum fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (overall blood sugar control), and triglyceride in the herbal drug group were significantly less than placebo group’s values after 3 months of the intervention, in Diabetic patients.  The “drug” was Milk Thistle, Stinging Nettle, and Frankincense. (3)

J Biol Regul Homeost Agents Jun 2017.  Results: 136 obese subjects with T2DM (Diabetes) and metabolic syndrome were analyzed for fasting blood glucose and insulin, Insulin Resistance, total, HDL and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, BMI, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio and underwent bioelectrical impedance to assess % of abdominal fat. All the above-mentioned parameters, as recorded at enrollment, after 6 months and at the end of the study, had significantly improved in the Milk Thistle / Barberry-treated group in respect to baseline and to the control group. A validated national cardiovascular risk score also improved significantly after treatment in respect to placebo. Our results point to a clinically significant effect in obese people with T2DM and metabolic syndrome. Moreover, for the first time, they provide evidence of a significant uric acid lowering activity as an additive beneficial effect of Milk Thistle / Barberry. (4)

True HM Detox is our product with Milk Thistle and Barberry.

Phytotherapy Res. Nov 2016.  Results: Prophylactic administration of silymarin tablets significantly reduced the severity of radiotherapy induced mucositis and delay its occurrence in patients with head and neck cancer. (5). Proven to reduce the severity of the harm caused by your doctor.

Clin Nutr. Oct 2016. Conclusions: The addition of B. aristata/S. marianum to insulin therapy in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus leads to a reduction of the insulin dose necessary to have an adequate glycemic control. (6)

Phytomedicine Feb 2015.  Results: fasting plasma glucose, insulin, and HOMA-index levels (Insulin Resistance) were reduced by Milk Thistle / Barberry, but not by placebo. (7)

J Biol Regul Homeost Agents Jun 2014.  Results:  a combination of red yeast rice, Silybum marianum and octasonol was effective in improving lipid profile, endothelial, and inflammatory parameters in dislipidemic patients. (8)

Phytomedicine Dec 2013.  Results: Use of selenium-silymarin mix reduces lower urinary tract symptoms and prostate specific antigen in men. (9)

Eur J Haematol Mar 2013.  Results: Serum ferritin levels decreased significantly from the beginning to the end of silymarin treatment in patients with Thalassemia. (10)

Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Republic. Sep 2010.  Results: This suggests that Milk Thistle and Selenium may be effective in reducing Prostate Cancer progression. (11)

Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry Mar 2010.  Results: Milk Thistle worked just as well as Prozac in the treatment of OCD. (12)

Cancer Jan 2010. Conclusions: In children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and liver toxicity, Milk Thistle (MT) was associated with a trend toward significant reductions in liver toxicity. MT did not antagonize the effects of chemotherapy agents used for the treatment of ALL. (13)

Again, Plant Medicine protecting patients from the damage of Modern Medicine.

J Clin Pharmacol Ap 2010.  Results: Silymarin has been shown to decrease the complications of liver disease and mortality in patients with cirrhotic disease, and is safe at higher than normal doses.  (14)

Transpl Int. Jul 2014.  Results: Milk Thistle has a significant antiviral activity in patients with established HCV (Hepatitis C). (15)

BMC Dermatol Oct 2012. Conclusions: Silymarin showed tremendous improvement of melasma (brown spots on skin) in a dose-dependent manner, and was effective in prevention of skin damage caused by U.V. sunlight. (16)

Chin J Integr Med Dec 2015.  Results: Disease Activity Index significantly decreased in the silymarin group in patients with Ulcerative Colitis. (17)

Free Radic Biol Med May 2012.  Results: In patients with Fatty Liver, Treatment with Silymarin and PhosphatidylCholine but not Placebo for 12 months was associated with improvement in liver enzymes, insulin resistance, and liver histology (tissue health). (18)

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. Dec 2011.  Conclusion: Considering the statistically effective role of silymarin in alleviating the severity of allergic rhinitis symptoms, applying this herbal antioxidant along with other medications may result in better management. (19)

Phytomedicine May 2009.  Results: No adverse events were noted and both silymarin and placebo were well tolerated. Patients randomized to the silymarin group had quicker resolution of symptoms related to Acute Hepatitis. Biliary retention: dark urine, jaundice and scleral icterus. (yellow eyes). (20)

J Cosmet Dermatol. Mar 2008. Conclusions: The combination of silymarin and MSM can be useful in managing symptoms and condition of rosacea skin, especially in the rosacea subtype 1 erythemato-telangiectatic phase. (21)

Phytother Res Dec 2006.  Results: The results showed a significant decrease in HbA1c (overall blood sugar regulation), Fasting Blood Sugar, total cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride SGOT and SGPT levels (Liver function) in silymarin treated patients compared with placebo as well as with values at the beginning of the study in each group. In conclusion, silymarin treatment in type II diabetic patients for 4 months has a beneficial effect on improving the glycemic profile. (22)

True Health offers True HM Detox, featuring Milk Thistle, in our online store!

-DrStone