Milk thistle
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) is a plant whose seeds, seed oil and extract are used both in food and in food supplements. The selection includes capsules and tablets with milk thistle extract, milk thistle oil, whole seeds, milk thistle flour, syrup and herbal tea blends.
In the catalogue: Liver and kidneys, Herbs.
Related selections: Turmeric, Chaga.
How to choose milk thistle
Milk thistle comes as seeds and meal, oil, oil in capsules and extract in tablets and capsules. The forms differ in what they contain of the plant and in how they are taken.
What the selection holds
- Seeds, meal and flour – whole or ground seeds; the meal is what remains once the oil is pressed. The amount and how to take it are on the pack.
- Oil – milk thistle seed oil in a bottle.
- Oil in capsules – easy to dose: the label gives the amount of oil per capsule.
- Extract – tablets and capsules with milk thistle extract; some also contain other plants.
What to check on the pack
- Extract: check how much extract the daily dose holds and whether it is standardised – then the silymarin content is given in mg or as a percentage.
- Complexes: if other plants or substances are listed, read the whole ingredient list and the amounts.
- Oil: check how it was pressed and how long it keeps once opened.
- Seeds and meal: keep them closed in a dry place, as the pack says.
Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. A food supplement is not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or under medical supervision, consult a doctor before use.
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Questions and answers about these products
It has a mild, slightly nutty, seed-like flavor — more distinctive than neutral oils but not overpowering.
Since these are whole seeds rather than a concentrated extract, preparation method matters for extraction. Learn the best ways to brew or grind them for daily use.
No, this oil is not suitable for heating. High temperatures destroy the valuable bioactive compounds that make cold-pressed oils beneficial.
Explains the key distinction between an oil-based product and other forms of milk thistle supplements, helping customers understand what they're actually getting.
This explains the fundamental difference between a food ingredient and a concentrated supplement, helping you choose the right product for your needs.
