Milk thistle is used as a natural remedy to treat a range of health conditions. The active ingredient in milk thistle is called silymarin. Milk thistle is also known as Mary thistle or holy thistle. It is mainly used to treat liver problems, but it can also lower cholesterol and help manage type 2 diabetes.

Ten health benefits of milk thistle

1. Supports liver health

One of the most common uses of milk thistle is to treat liver problems. A 2016 study found that milk thistle improved diet-induced liver damage in mice. More evidence is needed to prove that milk thistle benefits human livers in the same way.

2. Promotes skin health

Milk thistle may help to promote healthy skin. A 2015 study found that milk thistle helped improve inflammatory skin conditions when applied to the skin of mice.

Milk thistle was also found to have antioxidant and anti-aging effects on human skin cells in a laboratory environment in another study.

3. Reduces cholesterol

High cholesterol can lead to problems with heart health and increase a person's chance of stroke.

A 2006 study suggests milk thistle may play an important role keeping cholesterol levels down. It found that cholesterol levels were lower in people taking milk thistle to treat diabetes than those taking a placebo.

4. 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. More research into the effects of milk thistle on weight loss in humans is needed to confirm this, however.

5. Reduces insulin resistance

A study on mice found milk thistle extract helped to reduce insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a problem for people with type 2 diabetes.

6. Improves allergic asthma symptoms

The active ingredient in milk thistle can help to reduce inflammation. A 2012 study found that silymarin helped to protect against inflammation in the airways of mice with allergic asthma.

7. Limits the spread of cancer

Milk thistle may help to stop the spread of certain types of cancer. A 2016 review found that milk thistle extract inhibited the growth of cancerous cells in colorectal cancer.

8. Supports bone health

Milk thistle tea may help to prevent bone loss caused by a lack of estrogen.

Milk thistle may play an essential role in supporting bone health. A 2013 study found that milk thistle helped to prevent bone loss.

9. Improves cognition

A 2015 study found that milk thistle increased resistance to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a potential cause of Alzheimer's disease.

In this way, milk thistle may help improve cognition and treat degenerative conditions that affect the mind. More research on humans is needed to confirm the effects of milk thistle on cognition.

10. Boosts the immune system

Milk thistle may help strengthen a person's immune response and help them fight off infection.

A 2016 study on an animal model found that milk thistle extract improved the immunity when consumed. An older study found that milk thistle extract had a positive effect on immune response in humans.

How to use milk thistle

Milk thistle is also available as a tea. If drinking milk thistle tea, it is best to limit intake to 6 cups a day.