DO NOT take milk thistle if you are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, chamomile, yarrow, or daisies. Side effects, toxicity, and interactions Milk thistle is mainly a plant with long spiny leaves. Methods This study was conducted on 99 patients with invasive breast carcinoma receiving chemotherapy contained adriamycin, epirubicin, cyclophosphamide, docetaxel, and . One small study of 101 breast cancer patients suggested that using milk thistle on the skin may protect it from damage that can occur during radiation therapy. There is an increasing interest in identifying potent cancer preventive and therapeutic agents against breast cancer. 104 INTEGRATIVE CANCER THERAPIES 6(2); 2007 pp. If you have breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis or uterine fibroids, consider avoiding milk thistle. Just an aside on milk thistle - the medical establishment here in Portugal obviosuly acknowledges it works to detoxify the liver and to supprot the liver under strain.The human dose of milk thistle It was prescribed for my dog who had liver failure and when I read the leaflet, it said is was normally prescribed for human alcoholics undergoing detox. Milk Thistle: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Uses, Dose ... It is thought that milk thistle is beneficial for breast milk supply due to its plant estrogens. Milk thistle has not been shown to treat or prevent cancer or reduce the side effects of cancer treatment. The Role of Milk Thistle Extract in Breast Carcinoma Cell ... My Oncologist changed my tablets from Arimidex to Femara (I take the generic Letrozole) about 7 weeks ago as I was having lots of side effects on Arimidex. However, the extracts in milk . Milk thistle or silymarin comes from the seeds of the plant it is . In the US, milk thistle is included in the United States Pharmacopoeia-National Formulary. Breast Cancer Authority. The aim was to see if the silymarin gel could help prevent radiodermatitis (sore, inflammed skin caused by radiotherapy). Despite milk thistle's long history of being used to treat liver and biliary complaints, it was not until 1968 that silymarin was isolated from the seeds of the plant, and it was proposed that silymarin might be the active ingredient. Cancer Since silymarin is composed mainly o … Based on your unique information, Breastcancer.org can recommend articles that are highly relevant to your situation. Inhibition of human carcinoma cell growth and DNA ... Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed invasive malignancy and first leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Iranian women. Milk thistle can be ingested as a tea, or as capsules, extracts, or tinctures. Though there is more research required in humans, this sure is an encouraging step . Randomized, controlled human trials are needed to definitively prove its efficacy against breast cancer and. Dosing format. Can milk thistle help with breast cancer treatment? Milk thistle should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women. Animal studies have found that milk thistle extract completely counteracts the toxic effects of the mushroom when given within 10 minutes of ingestion. Breast Cancer Now is a company limited by guarantee registered in England (9347608) and a charity registered in England and Wales (1160558), Scotland (SC045584) and the Isle of Man (1200). Milk thistle is usually taken in capsules or tablets (see Question 2 ). Milk thistle hits prostate cancer two ways. As you digest the milk thistle, certain plant compounds in it begin to mimic the physiological functions of estrogen. Silybum marianumL. When should you not take milk thistle? Milk Thistle - AnabolicMinds.com Xeloda can be hard on the stomach, so have him eat as healthy as he can and eat small portions to keep something more frequently in the stomach to help the nausea. Could milk thistle help prevent or treat cancer? Breast Cancer Authority on breast cancer health, wellness and recovery through personal shares, complementary therapies, gardening and much more. Some say Milk Thistle extracted from seeds is ok but I'm now confused and have stopped taking Milk Thistle. It's going to engorge your breast with liquids, which is going to give them volume and firmness. Milk Thistle Medicinal Uses to Prevent Cancer and Protect Against Harmful Effects of Cancer Therapy. The extract of the seeds of milk thistle contains a number of substances, collectively called silymarin. In folk medicine Milk Thistle was used for ages to support the milk production in lactating women. Hello My sister,38 yrs old,has Breast cancer secondaries to Liver and bone.She was taking Taxotere until recently,which was stopped due to progression;the tumor marker (in 50's) and overall function improved but the scan showed size increase in a nodule. Ultimately… milk thistle is a safe, natural cancer-fighting substance that can help starve cancer and weaken it from many different angles. A 2016 study on an animal model found that milk thistle extract improved the immunity when consumed. Milk Thistle Extract Can Combat Breast Cancer | Dr ...Milk Thistle - Health Encyclopedia - University of ... Does milk thistle help your immune system? A source of the complex flavonoid compound silymarin, which contains silibinin, silybin, silicristin, and silidianin. Although probably best known for its effects on liver health, active compounds from milk thistle may also be beneficial in the following health conditions: (11, 12, 52) Summary Milk thistle is generally . Eighty women were randomized into two even groups, and each group took a 400 mg capsule twice a day for eight weeks - one group milk thistle and one group placebo. As a result, hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, endometriosis or uterine fibroids may be worsened. What Is Milk Thistle? Milk thistle is a great supplement for many people, with a lot of research to back up the potential benefits. There are other studies that show silymarin is actually quite promising in both the prevention and possible therapeutic aid in breast cancer. Lab, animal, and clinical studies suggest compounds in milk thistle may indeed help fight cancer. A University of Colorado Cancer Center study recently published in the journal PLoS One pinpoints the compounds derived from milk thistle that best kill cancer cells directly and restrict tumors' ability to grow . Side effects from the use of milk thistle or silymarin are mild. Human clinical trials have investigated milk thistle or silymarin primarily in individuals with hepatitisor cirrhosis, although small studies have been reported about individuals with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, prostate cancer, breast cancer, head and neck cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Some of the beneficial effects noted include: A recent study suggested that milk thistle may substantially increase systemic exposure of the anti—breast cancer drug raloxifene. Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Milk thistle may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family.Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums . What also makes Milk Thistle so effective against breast cancer and other cancers of the reproductive system, such as cervical and prostate, is its detoxifying effect against xenoestrogens. [1] " Milk thistle may also have anti-cancer properties because it's an antioxidant, and it could help people with diabetes. Silymarin (milk thistle) acts as a free radical scavenger and modulates the enzymes that cause liver cellular damage, fibrosis and cirrhosis. Ady Member Posts: 61 . Hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids: Milk thistle extracts might act like estrogen. Milk thistle supplements usually come in the form of capsules or tablets. The Milk Thistle effects on breast (growth) and lactation is nothing new. USES: Milk thistle is used to treat alcoholism, hepatitis, drug-induced hepatotoxicity, liver disease, cirrhosis, and food poisoning, as well as to prevent cancer. (Milk thistle), a member of Carduus marianum family, is an ancient medicinal plant which has been used for centuries for treatment of different diseases such as liver and gallbladder disorders, protecting liver against snake bite and insect stings, mushroom poisoning and alcohol abuse (1). Those with certain conditions: Milk thistle can have estrogenic effects, which may worsen hormone-sensitive conditions, including some types of breast cancer. Radiation-induced dermatitis is a common side effect of radiotherapy performed on cancer patients. Milk thistle is a plant whose fruit and seeds are used for liver and bile duct disorders (see Question 1 ). Laboratory studies have shown that milk thistle may have cancer-fighting properties. It increases breast milk flow while also maintaining breast health. Silybum marianum is the scientific name for the plant commonly known as milk thistle. Milk thistle is now found throughout the eastern United States, California, South America . [ 5] 104-109 Advances in the Use of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Janice Post-White, RN, PhD, FAAN, Elena J. Ladas, MS, RD, and Kara M. Kelly, MD Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is an herbal supplement used to treat liver and biliary disorders. These properties could make it a useful adjunct therapy to use alongside traditional therapies for breast. Milk thistle use has been reported in between 2% 23 and 7% 24,25 of cancer sufferers. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of silymarin (Milk Thistle) in reducing the hepatic side effects of taxane when used in chemotherapy of breast cancer. Milk thistle can interact with some chemotherapy drugs — check with your doctor before you start taking it. Studies of milk thistle have been done in acute lymphoblastic leukemia, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and head and neck cancer. Also known as: huang chi, milk vetch, astragalus membranaceus. The milk thistle extract was able to reduce toxicity levels within the children's livers without negatively effecting the effects of the chemotherapy. Her oncologist has started her on Femara . Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a wonderful healing herb, most commonly used to treat liver complaints and to assist with liver detoxification. The FDA has not approved the use of milk thistle as a treatment for cancer or any other medical condition. Published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, the study indicates that the herb could allow patints to take potent doses of chemotherapy without damaging . Anecdotally, milk thistle has been used with positive results by breastfeeding mothers in India and Europe for generations. This is exactly why you should also use it, even though you are not the breastfeeding. Milk thistle and extracts of milk thistle, such as silymarin, are rich in antioxidants and may have some medical uses. One study did find that milk thistle was effective at increasing milk supply in dairy cows. And you can take some Milk Thistle, which has a purifying effect and helps filter and cleanse the liver, even during treatment. Letrozole and Milk Thistle. Usual dose: 500 milligrams 3 times per day. Other studies state that milk thistle can induce cancer cell death in the case of colon and breast cancers. milk thistle can act like oestrogen in the body - if you have or are at risk of a hormone-related condition, including breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis or uterine fibroids, speak to your doctor before using milk thistle Milk thistle may protect the kidneys and pancreas against the effects of chemotherapy. In addition to blocking breast cancer, test-tube and animal studies show that silmarin may also protect against several other types of cancer as well, including lung cancer and prostate cancer. Several studies from our laboratory have shown the cancer chemopreventive and anti-carcinogenic effects of silymarin, a flavonoid antioxidant isolated from milk thistle, in long-term tumorigenesis models and in human prostate, breast and cervical carcinoma cells. If you have any condition that might be made worse by exposure to estrogen, don't use these extracts. Based on silymarin's unique characteristics, its application in chemotherapy combined with doxorubicin can be effective to enhance the efficacy together with a reduced toxicity on normal tissues. The authors concluded that this likely meant a reduction in breast cancer risk. The daily lives of most individuals are filled with exposure to toxic chemicals in food, the air, the water and home products. Registered Office: Fifth Floor, Ibex House, 42-47 Minories, London EC3N 1DY. It says there's no interaction with milk thistle so it looks ok. In 2007, after reviewing numerous studies involving milk thistle therapeutic treatments, researchers at the University of Minnesota reported : Milk thistle is a plant whose fruit and seeds are used for liver and bile duct disorders. Milk thistle purportedly has hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects. Milk thistle is a great natural resource for detoxing the liver. Milk thistle plants have bright purple flowers, prickly white-veined leaves, and milky sap [ 1 ]. Some of the beneficial effects noted in the many scientific investigations of milk thistle extracts containing silymarin and its major constituent, silibinin, include: Prevention of the expression of genes and enzymes pivotal in breast cancer development Inhibition of breast cancer cell growth and the key pathways that cancer cells use to grow in prostate and breast cancer; and as an immune modulator . Get some Bag Balm at CVS or your local pharmacy and . Large-scale, properly-designed studies are needed. Some people also take milk thistle to reduce the risk of cancer. Abstract. I get asked about this herb all the time, because there's some information on the internet that tells women with breast cancer to avoid milk thistle because of its supposed "estrogenic" and possibly "carcinogenic" (cancer-causing) properties. There is some early research that shows how milk thistle can aid healthy weight loss. Milk Thistle has been studied for years for its anti-tumor effects on several types of cancer, especially prostate, lung and liver.This year (2016), however, was the year for this bristly-looking herb to prove its effectiveness on breast cancer. Breast Cancer - As published in the June 2009 edition of Molecular Cancer Therapeutics, Canadian researchers determined that silibinin exhibited anti-proliferative activity on a certain type of . And, while there is only limited scientific evidence that milk thistle can help a nursing mother to make more breast milk, it has been shown to increase milk production in dairy cows. And according to the American Cancer Society, it's used to help treat liver inflammation in chemo patients. Milk thistle and compounds derived from it are commonly used as herbal supplements for liver problems, but study results are mixed. Breast Cancer Authority on breast cancer health, wellness and recovery through personal shares, complementary therapies, gardening and much more. Are there any risks? The detoxifying properties of milk thistle are so potent that the herb is used to protect the liver from snake bites. Potential uses: It is thought that astragalus can improve immunity and liver health and reduce the risk of cancer. What Are the Functions of Milk Thistle? Research is exploring silymarin and milk thistle and their potential use as a breast cancer treatment alongside traditional therapies to either protect cells or . Milk thistle is primarily beneficial for liver health and detox, and some even use it for hangovers. Estrogens Studies are ongoing. Breast Cancer Authority. Milk thistle: A tall thistle (Silybum marianum) having white-veined dark green leaves and large purple flower heads that is native to the Mediterranean region but has become naturalized elsewhere including the United States; also, an extract of milk thistle and especially its seeds that is held to protect the liver from damage or disease." ~ Merriam-Webster Dictionary. Compounds in milk thistle have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Silymarin, a flavonoid antioxidant isolated from milk thistle, exerts exceptionally high to complete anticarcinogenic effects in tumorigenesis models of epithelial origin. Are there any drug interactions? Prolactin is a necessary hormone for . In humans, milk thistle has been shown to help the chemotherapy drugs, cisplatin and doxorubicin, against ovarian and breast cancer cells. The antioxidant properties of milk thistle can help horses stay healthy and recover faster from exercise and illness. What is Milk Thistle? Can Aid Weight Loss. Anecdotally, milk thistle has been used with positive results by breastfeeding mothers in India and Europe for generations. Milk thistle actually works for breast growth. The children taking milk thistle needed fewer chemotherapy dose reductions because of side effects than the children who did not take milk thistle. November 2016 in Health and wellbeing. Milk thistle is an herb derived from the milk thistle plant, Silybum marianum.It is used in traditional Chinese medicine to clear heat, remove toxic elements from the body, soothe the liver and promote bile secretions. Laboratory studies suggest that milk thistle or some of its compounds have protective effects on the liver, but other animal studies suggest negative effects when combined with chronic alcohol consumption. 6. Legal issues . Other areas that are still understudied for the extent of benefits from taking milk thistle are depression, gallbladder disorders, malaria, inconsistency of milk in lactating mothers, varied menstrual issues, among the few. One study evaluated whether a milk thistle extract gel would help prevent radio-dermatitis in people diagnosed with breast cancer. If given within 24 hours, it significantly reduces the risk of liver damage and death. The main active ingredient in milk thistle is silymarin, a . Milk thistle is usually taken in capsules or tablets. Milk thistle (silymarin) affects health primarily through its antioxidant abilities. Whats docs opinion? 1. And, while there is only limited scientific evidence that milk thistle can help a nursing mother to make more breast milk, it has been shown to increase milk production in dairy cows. Milk thistle is an herb derived from the milk thistle plant, Silybum marianum.It is used in traditional Chinese medicine to clear heat, remove toxic elements from the body, soothe the liver and promote bile secretions. Silymarin has shown direct anticancer effects against prostate, breast and ectocervical tumor cells, such as slowing cell growth in prostate cancer cells. Follow the instructions on the package for the correct dose. And finally, one recent study found in the University of Colorado Skaggs School of Pharmacy journal report has produced evidence of milk thistle halting the spread of and reversing lung cancer . Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking milk thistle if you are pregnant or breast feeding.Stay on the safe side and avoid use. Milk thistle products are widely available in pharmacies, health food and grocery stores and on the Internet. About the same time I started on Milk Thistle to help the liver but now have been reading it may not . Studies of milk thistle have been done in acute lymphoblastic leukemia, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and head and neck cancer (see Question 4 ). Atlanta 2009/12/15 -A new study finds that the herb milk thistle may help treat liver inflammation in cancer patients who receive chemotherapy. Interestingly, female rats demonstrated decreased breast (mammary) cancer and male rats showed decreased liver cancer with milk thistle extract. However, more research is necessary to prove its effectiveness. If you have breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis or uterine fibroids, consider avoiding milk thistle. Blessed thistle is known throughout the world for being great for breastfeeding. Tumors are gluttons - in order to fuel their astounding growth rate they must gorge. Silybin has been shown to inhibit growth and induce apoptosis in human breast cancer cells and HER-2/neu overexpressing mammary tumors in a . Milk thistle may also promote breast milk production in mothers producing less milk. This does not seem so much, is is like eating 43 grams of Milk Thistle seeds. An older study found that milk thistle extract had a positive effect on immune response in humans. Milk thistle may help strengthen a person's immune response and help them fight off infection. Does anyone take Milk thistle? A dry extract of milk thistle in the form of a powder was encapsulated with 400 mg per capsule of milk thistle standardized to 80% silymarin. Milk thistle: ''Silybum marianum,'' a member of the thistle family that traditionally has been used for its liver-protective properties. This helps a lot to increase the breast size as various hormones, especially estrogen are processed by the liver. Milk thistle is an herb that has been used for 2,000 years, most commonly for the treatment of liver and gallbladder disorders. It may also protect against breast cancer. Silibinin, another flavonoid in milk thistle, has shown several anticancer effects, including the ability to modulate cell signaling, proliferation, cell death (apoptosis), invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis (development of blood . Extracts from parts of the plant other than the seeds may increase estrogen levels in the body. The role of milk thistle extract in breast carcinoma cell line (MCF-7) apoptosis with doxorubicin Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed invasive malignancy and first leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Iranian women. The detoxifying properties of milk thistle are so potent that the herb is used to protect the liver from snake bites. Milk thistle is a plant that is native to Europe and was brought to North America by early colonists. ( 94 , 146 , 147) Research shows that milk thistle extracts are nontoxic inhibitors to cancer cell cycles, effectively blocking cancer growth. Sure enough: in one recent study, an herbal conglomerate featuring milk thistle as one of the active participants actually increased estrogen metabolism, effectively reducing the amount of active estrogen by speeding up its clearance from the body. This is important because chemo drugs will often cause inflammation in the liver. Milk Thistle in women increases the milk production. Usual dose: 240 milligrams twice per day. In one clinical trial, 60 people with benign polyps in the colon (which often develop into colon cancer) took a herbal blend with milk thistle, a flaxseed antioxidant, and oat fiber for 2 . I ve just looked up milk thistle on the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Care website. It's a great place to check supplements and so on. 3. Milk thistle contains helpful antioxidants and may have anti-inflammatory properties. Milk thistle can cause an allergic reaction, including a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). And another study focused on silymarin, the plant's active ingredient, and found that the compound led to an 85% increase in the milk supply of nursing mothers.. Milk thistle and breast cancer One study in breast cancer patients, looked at applying silymarin gel to the skin on the chest wall following a mastectomy and during radiotherapy treatment. Milk thistle may also help regulate immune system response. Tag: milkThistle. People with a history of hormone-related cancers, including breast, uterine, and prostate cancer, should not take milk thistle. The main active ingredient in milk thistle is silymarin, a . Milk thistle, a relative of artichoke, traditionally has been used for its liver-protective properties, but increasingly is being used by cancer patients.Milk thistle is the best known source of the compound flavonoid silymarin, which contains silybin.