Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a plant that contains silymarin, a mixture of several substances and is widely studied for digestive and liver care. It also provides flavonoids with an antioxidant effect and fatty acids such as linoleic, oleic and palmitic acids.
As a dietary supplement (in capsules, tablets or herbal teas) and/or combined with other plant extracts, it helps to stimulate bile production and has a protective effect on the liver, facilitating toxin elimination. It helps to improve heavy digestion or dyspepsia.
It has been used to prevent and support the treatment of liver damage caused by toxins such as alcohol or overeating, and as an aide to treatment with drugs that are metabolised in the liver. This should be advised by a healthcare professional.
Because of silymarin's anti-inflammatory power, milk thistle extract also has cosmetic applications: it is an antioxidant that helps soothe the skin and reduces redness.
