Milk Thistle Gets Positive Reviews in Mainstream Media
October 1, 1998 less than 1 minute read
Milk Thistle Gets Positive Reviews in Mainstream Media
Although mainstream media coverage of milk thistle has been sparse, those publications with recent coverage of the herb give positive feedback on its use in fighting liver disease.
In an article in the October 1997 issue of Better Nutrition, the author classifies milk thistle as the only herb that has proven clinical effectiveness-through numerous controlled clinical studies and an excellent safety record. Furthermore, he states that this herb is the best-researched in terms of known active constituents.
In his book, Eight Weeks to Optimum Health, Andrew Weil, MD, suggests that patients with liver problems take this herb because it is nontoxic and cheap-and because conventional medicine offers nothing comparable for these patients. He also says milk thistle is safe for patients to take indefinitely. The May-June 1997 issue of Natural Health reports that the only side effect has been loose stools for the first few days of use.
Although patients may be tempted to grow this herb themselves, the plant's prickly leaves make it painful to harvest, according to an article in the most recent Prevention's Guide to Healing Herbs. It's easier, faster, and may be safer to buy milk thistle formulations.
A survey of various health, drug, and discount stores found various formulations, dosages, and prices for milk thistle. For example, neither the Target nor K-Mart stores visited carried milk thistle. GNC, Eckerd Drugs, and CVSPharmacy all carry at least one brand.
You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
- Award-winning Medical Content
- Latest Advances & Development in Medicine
- Unbiased Content