Are there any side effects of taking milk thistle?
Eleanor Gray
Updated on April 22, 2026
.
Beside this, what are the side effects of milk thistle?
Side effects of milk thistle include:
- Abdominal bloating/pain.
- Allergic reactions.
- Diarrhea.
- Gas.
- Indigestion.
- Itching.
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea.
Secondly, can milk thistle harm your liver? Milk Thistle Protects Your Liver Milk thistle is often promoted for its liver-protecting effects. It's regularly used as a complementary therapy by people who have liver damage due to conditions like alcoholic liver disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis and even liver cancer ( 1 , 5 , 6 ).
Considering this, how long should you take milk thistle for?
Take milk thistle 30 minutes before meals for optimal effectiveness. Keep in mind that it will take at least a week or two before you notice milk thistle's beneficial effects. For chronic conditions, you will need to take the herb for quite some time.
How much milk thistle can you take a day?
Dosing. Milk thistle is considered safe in dosages of 420 mg/day orally in divided doses for up to 41 months.
Related Question AnswersWho should not take milk thistle?
Studies show that it's safe when taken for up to 41 months. Milk thistle may cause diarrhea. More rarely, it may cause nausea, bloating, gas, and upset stomach. Women who are breastfeeding or pregnant should avoid using milk thistle.What medications should not be taken with milk thistle?
Possible interactions include:- Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates. Taking milk thistle might affect this enzyme and drugs it processes, such as diazepam (Valium), warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven) and others.
- Diabetes medications.
- Metronidazole (Flagyl).
- Simeprevir (Olysio).
- Sirolimus (Rapamune).
Does milk thistle help you lose weight?
Supports weight loss Initial animal research conducted in 2016 found that silymarin caused weight loss in mice that were fed a diet intended to cause weight gain. This suggests milk thistle may be beneficial for those looking to lose weight.Can you overdose on milk thistle?
As it has not been fully studied, it is not known with certainty what to expect with a milk thistle overdose. However, it is likely to include an exacerbation of the side effects listed above. Side effects of milk thistle include various stomach problems like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.Does milk thistle cause hairloss?
Hair loss and balding is a major problem among many people all over the world. Many hair loss remedies include milk thistle as it is believed that it can prevent hair loss when combined with other important ingredients.How do you detoxify your liver?
Then by incorporating a selection of super-foods to your diet, you can naturally cleanse and protect this hard-working organ.- Tea. Tea is widely considered to be beneficial for health, but evidence has shown that it may have benefits for the liver.
- Cruciferous Vegetables.
- Turmeric.
- Citrus.
- Beetroot.
- Garlic.
- Walnuts.
- Olive Oil.
How long it will take to reverse fatty liver?
Since the liver regenerates cells, it can recover from fatty liver if the cause is alcohol. You must stop drinking, and within six weeks, the fat around your liver will be gone.Does milk thistle cleanse the liver?
Milk thistle is an herb that contains a compound called silybin. You may have heard that it helps your liver work better and can help treat liver disease. But, just as there isn't enough evidence that liver detoxes work, there isn't enough to show that milk thistle or extracts from it make your liver healthier.Do you take milk thistle before or after drinking?
Milk Thistle is a popular herbal remedy for a hangover due to its long history of having been taken to help protect the liver from damage. It can be taken as tablets both before and after your night out.What is the best milk thistle supplement?
Best Milk Thistles comparison table- 1st Place. Milk Thistle Capsules | 11250mg Strength | 30X Concentrated Seed Extract & 80%
- 2nd Place. Jarrow Formulas Milk Thistle (Silymarin Marianum), Promotes Liver Health, 150 mg per Capsule.
- 3rd Place.
- 4th Place.
- 5th Place.