Mohana M Nair

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum, family-Compositae) is widespread throughout the world. Milk thistle's common name comes from the white markings on the leaves and its milky white sap used traditionally by nursing mothers to increase milk. Milk thistle appears to be safe and have multiple health benefits on various liver conditions viz; liver cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, alcoholic fatty liver, liver poisoning, and viral hepatitis. Primary chemical constituents of Milk Thistle include flavolignans (silymarin), tyramine, histamine, gamma linoleic acid, essential oil, mucilage, and bitter principle. Available evidence is not sufficient to suggest whether milk thistle may be more effective for some liver diseases than others or if effectiveness might be related to duration of therapy or chronicity and severity of liver disease.