HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients
Book a video visit
HealthTap
Telehealth
A member asked:

What is milk thistle? do doctors recommend it?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

Herb frm Daisy plant: Milk thistle (silymarin) is a flowering herb related to the daisy and ragweed family. It is native to Mediterranean countries. Some people also call it Mary thistle and holy thistle. Most doctors do not believe it has any proven benefits for liver disease, diabetes or heart disease. The are good, safe and effective medications for these problems.

Answered 10/10/2018

3.5k views

Thank

Related Questions

A member asked:

Do you recommend metformin, milk thistle or vitamin E for NAFLD (severe steatosis)? Do you think could these help?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Stoping birth control after 1 year wanting to conceive. Do you recommend a liver cleanse to rid extra hormones? Milk thistle?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

How come doctors recommend people over forty-five years old to drink milk?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

Me, early 60s. Sister, late 50s. My sister told me her doctor recommended small dose of milk of magnesia (magnesium hydroxide) daily. I'm skeptical. ?

A doctor has provided 1 answer

A member asked:

36 month old toddler is underweight. Doctor said he needs higher fat foods; recommended lots of whole milk all day. What are other choices for healthy high fats for a picky eater?

9 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

Sponsored Content
HealthTap Medical Group does not endorse products or services. Sponsored content revenues support our mission to make health information free and accessible to all.Learn more

People also searched for:

One of the doctors here is saying that milk thistle can cause hypoglycaemia but i never read about this, i intend to use it as liver tonic.Is it safe?
Hey doctor ! is milk thistle, saw palmetto & green tea good for pcos? can the pcos patient take Accutane for her acne?
Is Milk Thistle pills in a bottle good to cleanse and help with liver function if so what brand do you recommend thanks ?
Is milk thistle and vitamin E effective? Can one take too much of either or is there a recommended dose to provide optimal benefits
What is the best milk thistle brand you could recommend? I was a heavy drinker and recently slowed down and trying to detox/heal my liver some.

Telemedicine

Primary Care
Manage Your Conditions
Women's Health
Children's Health
Men's Health
Senior Health
Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle
Sexual Health
Mental & Behavioral Health
Travel Medicine
Urgent Care
Ask your question
Didn't find what you're looking for?

90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.

Ask your question

More of what we treat

Allergies
Antibiotics
Asthma
High Blood Pressure
Prescriptions
Type 2 Diabetes
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.
HealthTap
HIPAA logo
HIPAASecure
Soc 2 Type 2 logo
SOC 2 Type 2Certified
JCAHO Accredited
JCAHOAccredited
Member App

Download HealthTap

Video visit and message your doctor

Member App QR Code
Play Store Member LinkApp Store Member Link

Questions?

+1 (888) 828-0841support@healthtap.com
LinkedInTwitter
HomeTermsPrivacyCookiesDMCAHealth TopicsDoctors DirectoryDoctor Q&A by Specialty
Copyright 2026 HealthTap, Inc.