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A safety assessment of silymarin flavonoligans (which include silybin) in healthy patients confirmed that the milk thistle extracts were well-tolerated in patients at up to 525 mg daily for twenty-eight days. Most physicians advocate a thrice-daily administration of between 100-200 mg of milk thistle alongside meals. It is advisable to read the ingredients of any purchased supplement very carefully. If the milk thistle extract or capsule does not contain at least 70% silybin, its boactivity will be greatly reduced, thus inhibiting its potential health benefits. The highest quality and best milk thistle supplement products will usually contain between 85-95% silybin.
How long does Milk Thistle take to work?
Peak concentrations of silybin in the liver occur about two to four hours after administering an oral dosage. The total duration of effect is approximately six hours. *
Milk thistle is considered safe in dosages of 420 mg/day orally in divided doses for up to 41 months. One source suggests daily doses of 12 to 15 g of dry fruits for dyspepsia and disorders of the biliary system, while an extract containing 200 to 400 mg/day of silymarin is considered effective in various liver disorders.
A dose of 140 mg of silymarin 3 times daily has been suggested for hepatic cirrhosis.
S. marianum leaf extract 600 mg/day (200 mg capsules 3 times daily) given for 8 weeks was as effective as fluoxetine in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder in a small study.
A phase 1 clinical study in prostate cancer patients determined a phase 2 dosage recommendation of silibinin (as Siliphos) 13 g/day orally in 3 divided doses.
A preparation consisting of 150 mL of boiling water poured over 3.5 g of crushed milk thistle seed, steeped for 10 to 15 minutes, and given 3 to 4 times daily 30 minutes before meals has been suggested for digestive disorders. Consumption of silymarin in the form of tea may not be effective, as silymarin is poorly soluble in water. *