Research has found that the herb milk thistle (also known as St Mary’s thistle) can reduce the amount of liver inflammation associated with chemotherapy use.

Researchers recruited 50 children undergoing chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and gave them either milk thistle capsules or placebo. The research was published in the journal Cancer. Chemotherapy commonly causes raised liver enzymes, meaning it causes inflammation in the liver and damage to liver cells.

The study lasted 56 days and all children had a liver function test at the end. The researchers were thrilled to discover that the children who had been taking milk thistle had significantly lower levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and bilirubin than those children receiving a placebo.

The children receiving milk thistle were also able to tolerate higher doses of chemotherapy, which aided their treatment.  The researchers concluded that this study “…provides preliminary evidence that milk thistle may be a safe, effective, supportive-care agent.” The researchers stated that more research is required to find the optimum dose required, however a statement issued by the American Cancer Society concluded that “…our results are promising as there are no substitute medications for treating liver toxicity.”

Milk thistle is a safe herb that is well tolerated, even in large quantities in most people. It has the ability to protect liver cells from damage caused by a variety of toxins, and can even help damaged liver cells to regenerate. Milk thistle is an excellent herb for anyone with liver disease, a damaged liver or raised liver enzymes.  It can be used with all chemotherapy drugs and does not reduce their effectiveness; however, please consult your doctor before using it if you are receiving treatment for cancer.

St Mary’s thistle (milk thistle) is found in the liver tonics Livatone and Livatone Plus.

Reference: American Cancer Society journal
A randomised, controlled, double-blind, pilot study of milk thistle for the treatment of hepatotoxicity in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

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