Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Dosing

The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.

Adults (over 18 years old)

Silymarin (Legalon®) 230-600 milligrams per day divided into two to three doses has been studied.

Silipide® (IdB 1016) 160-480 milligrams per day in silybin equivalents has also been studied.

Children (under 18 years old)

There is not enough scientific data to recommend milk thistle for use in children.

NS_patient-milkthistle

Portions of this document last updated:

Sept. 1, 2009

THIS EVIDENCE-BASED MONOGRAPH WAS PREPARED BY
THE NATURAL STANDARD RESEARCH COLLABORATION
(www.naturalstandard.com)


Text Size: smaller largerlarger