NIDDK Will Test Milk Thistle in Hepatitis C: Patients Say, “Thistle Do It”

Silymarin, a mixture of compounds derived from Milk Thistle, is a popular herbal medicine for hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and other liver disorders. Clinical trials show that these compounds have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that can slow the progression of these diseases. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have begun a large-scale trial of silymarin in conjunction with conventional drugs for treatment of hepatitis C.