Recommended Milk Thistle Dosages
Doses for milk thistle depend on the level of silymarin in the supplement or dried herb. In general, bulk milk thistle contains about 70% silymarin compounds.(34)
Doctors of integrative medicine recommend the following for people with various conditions:
| Condition | Dosage Level |
|---|---|
|
Whole milk thistle: 420-600 mg/day containing 70-80% silymarin(35) |
|
|
Whole milk thistle: 150 mg 2-3 times a day containing 70% silymarin(36) |
|
|
General anesthesia side effects(37) |
420 mg/day of milk thistle silymarin extracts to prevent adverse side effects, including liver damage(37) |
|
Liver disease (including chronic hepatitis)(34) |
In 2 separately reported cases, patients with inoperable liver cancer experienced tumor regression linked to milk thistle supplements. Both patients took 450 mg/day of silymarin, with no other treatment.(37, 38)
Other Tips for Taking Milk Thistle
- Avoid alcohol extracts of milk thistle if using to treat liver conditions.(34)
- Look for milk thistle supplements that contain phosphatidylcholine. This natural anti-inflammatory compound improves absorption of milk thistle.(34, 39)
- When making a tincture, grind the seeds with some alcohol in a blender.(40)
