Milk thistle touted as 2,000-year remedy as UK faces rising liver disease

Milk thistle, a spiky pink-flowering herb long heralded for digestive and liver health, is again in the health spotlight as Britain confronts rising liver disease mortality. Officials and clinicians point to data suggesting the plant’s seed-based extracts may help support liver function and reduce inflammation, with some studies indicating improvements within weeks of use. In 2021 a major study found that patients taking milk thistle showed decreased liver inflammation and reduced liver fat, with improvements appearing in as little as two months.

Britain's liver health crisis is underscored by data showing liver disease deaths rising more than 400% since 1970. The liver plays a crucial role in filtering toxins from the blood, and disease can progress silently, particularly fatty liver disease which affects roughly one in three adults. Alcohol-related liver disease also rose to record levels, with about 6,000 deaths in 2024. Many patients are undiagnosed in early stages; seven in ten alcohol-related liver disease patients remain undiagnosed.

Experts say silymarin is the active chemical in milk thistle seeds, fruit and leaves that acts as an antioxidant, reducing inflammation and helping protect the liver from environmental toxins. Clinical nutritionist Jane Hutton, who runs the NHS-commissioned Functional Foodie clinic, says when taken by otherwise healthy people, milk thistle can enhance the natural functioning of the liver. The liver is the body’s natural filtration system — the healthier it is, the better you’ll process things, whether that is paracetamol or alcohol. If you are someone who is particularly stressed, or has a lot on your plate for a while, milk thistle can be very helpful to give your liver a bit of a boost. Alex Glover, senior nutritionist at Holland and Barrett, notes that when the liver is injured, enzymes such as AST and ALT rise, and some evidence suggests milk thistle can help lower these enzymes and improve liver function.

Hangover relief remains debated. There is little evidence that milk thistle helps with hangovers; the body's processing of alcohol is complex, and hangovers are largely driven by dehydration and other factors. For those seeking a supplement, curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, may have more robust evidence for reducing inflammation and headaches the next day, according to experts.

Among premium liver products, De-liver-ance is marketed as a liquid supplement with polyphenols and herbs such as ginseng and astragalus. The founder Siggi Clavien describes it as a more powerful option that works on a molecular level to optimize liver function. He says milk thistle is helpful but not a hangover cure. In a study of people with fatty liver, De-liver-ance was shown to return the liver to about half its full health after three months, with about 83% lowering fat levels; anecdotal reports also say it helps with hangovers. At £27 for three vials, it is a pricey option, but supporters say it represents a higher-efficacy approach than standard supplements.

Experts caution that there is no magic bullet for liver health and that the best defense is reducing alcohol intake, especially during periods when many drink more. The British Liver Trust notes that about one in four people drink in a way that could harm health, a figure expected to rise. Those considering milk thistle should consult a doctor or pharmacist, particularly if pregnant, breastfeeding, diabetic, or taking medications such as blood thinners, statins, or anti-seizure medicines, which can interact with milk thistle.