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- Magnesium and calcium. When these minerals are taken at the same time, they may not be quite as effective, says Tod Cooperman, MD, president of consumerlab.com, an independent testing company focused on health and nutrition products in White Plains, New York.
- Zinc and copper. Among zinc’s many benefits, enhanced immunity ranks high. You might turn to the mineral for help in staving off or shortening the duration of common colds, but you should know that zinc interferes with copper absorption.
- Iron and green tea. You need iron to help distribute oxygen to cells—it’s vital for your energy. But if you mix it with green tea, black tea, or curcumin supplements, your body won’t absorb the mineral.
- Fish oil and gingko biloba. Omega-3 fish oil supplements may tame inflammation and improve your mood, but when you take these supplements with herbs that thin the blood—such as ginkgo biloba or garlic—they may prevent clotting and can lead to uncontrolled bleeding, Dr. Cooperman says.
- Overview
- What is milk thistle?
- Beneficial compounds
- Possible benefits
- Dosage and side effects
- How to make milk thistle tea
- The bottom line
Milk thistle tea is made from an herb with milky, white-veined leaves.
It has many purported benefits, including protecting the liver, stimulating breast milk production, and helping with diabetes management. However, few studies back these claims (1).
The milk thistle plant (Silybum marianum) is part of the Asteraceae family and is native to the Mediterranean.
Its name comes from the milky white veins on the leaves and the white sap they produce when broken. The plant’s flowers are purple (2).
Milk thistle is also known as Saint Mary’s Thistle, holy thistle, variegated thistle, and Scotch thistle. In folk tradition, the white veins on its leaves were said to come from a drop of the Virgin Mary’s breast milk that spilled on them (3).
The plant’s milky sap and rumored connection to Mary’s milk are two reasons why some people believe it can stimulate breast milk production (4).
Throughout history, milk thistle has also been used to treat liver and gallbladder issues. Research has also explored its potential to protect against neurodegenerative diseases, cancers, diabetes, and heart disease (1, 3).
Milk thistle is available as capsules, tablets, liquid extracts, and tea. The plant’s seeds and sometimes leaves are used in these preparations.
The main group of active compounds in milk thistle is known as silymarin. The main component of this group is called silybin (2).
Though silymarin is present in the flowers and leaves of the thistle, it’s most concentrated in the seeds (2).
The purported health benefits of milk thistle are thought to be connected to silymarin’s antioxidant properties.
Silymarin may exhibit antioxidant effects by scavenging and preventing the formation of reactive molecules called free radicals that can contribute to cell damage and disease development. It may also decrease inflammatory responses in your body (5).
Since milk thistle teas are often made with ground or whole seeds, they provide some silymarin, but they’re not as concentrated as extracts.
What’s more, milk thistle is poorly absorbed and not water-soluble. Thus, drinking this tea is not the best way to absorb any beneficial plant compounds (6, 7).
Existing studies on milk thistle have been small or poorly designed or have produced mixed results. What’s more, the limited research has focused on extracts and pills, both of which are more concentrated than tea (8).
As such, any promising effects of milk thistle preparations noted in existing studies may not apply to diluted milk thistle tea, especially when considering the plant’s low water solubility and poor absorption.
There is no standardized dosage or recommended intake for milk thistle tea, but it’s generally considered safe if consumed in moderation.
Milk thistle supplements, for reference, are tolerated at doses of up to 700 mg, 3 times per day for 24 weeks (1).
Possible side effects of the plant include stomach upset, nausea, and diarrhea (1).
Due to a lack of research on milk thistle tea use in people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should speak with a healthcare professional before trying it if you’re in either of those groups (8).
Milk thistle may lower blood sugar levels. So, if you have diabetes, you should be cautious about consuming tea or supplements made from the plant (8).
Finally, if you have allergies to plants in the same family, such as ragweed, chrysanthemum, marigold, and daisy, you may be at risk of allergic reactions and should proceed with caution (8).
Milk thistle tea is easy to make at home. It’s available for purchase as loose or ground seeds and leaves or in tea bags.
Steep a tea bag or 1 teaspoon of loose tea in 1 cup (237 mL) of hot water for 5–10 minutes. If not using a tea bag, strain the tea before drinking it.
Summary
You can make milk thistle tea at home by steeping 1 teaspoon of loose tea or a tea bag in hot water for 5–10 minutes before straining.
Milk thistle tea is an herbal drink touted to promote liver health, stimulate breast milk production, and protect against diabetes.
However, there have been no studies on milk thistle tea specifically, and research on other preparations — such as isolated forms of the active compound silymarin — is limited. Milk thistle may also be poorly absorbed in tea form.
Feb 2, 2023 · Before taking Green Tea Extract / Milk Thistle, consult with your doctor to determine the type of medication you require, as well as over-the-counter or prescription medications available on the market (e.g., vitamins, herbal supplements, and so on). Certain health conditions may increase the chances of side effects from the drug.
Mar 7, 2024 · There are a variety of milk thistle products available, and the seeds and leaves of the milk thistle plant can be consumed either in pill, powder, tincture, extract or tea form. The seeds can actually be eaten completely raw, too, but usually people prefer to take a milk thistle extract or supplement in order to consume a higher dose and see greater results.
If you’d prefer to avoid the headache of sourcing and brewing your own tea, look for an easy way of taking pure milk thistle. At Erbology, we make two milk thistle products which extract from the plant in different ways, depending on the benefits you’d like to see. Milk thistle powder. Our organic milk thistle powder is made from 100% ...
Sep 14, 2022 · Milk thistle tea is not a significant source of any major nutrients, vitamins, or minerals. ... People taking any of these medications should avoid drinking milk thistle tea. Sources Update ...
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Jul 14, 2023 · 6. Acne control. Milk thistle’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects have also shown promise for treating acne. In one small study, people who took 210 milligrams (mg) of milk thistle for a ...
