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Milk Thistle for Liver Support: Now in Gummy Form!

Published on June 10, 2024


By Kristen Boye BS, Natural Health

Kristen Boye

Kristen Boye is a natural health expert, writer, copywriter, and editor. Kristen was raised on an organic farm in British Columbia which inspired her life’s work. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Health, is a Certified Natural Foods Chef, co-owner of a medicinal herb farm, and is a natural foods and children’s health advocate. Kristen lives with her husband and two children on their medicinal herb farm in Western North Carolina.

https://www.holisticwritingconcepts.com

Milk Thistle is one of the best-known herbs traditionally used for liver support, and numerous studies have been conducted on its potential benefits.

Milk Thistle is also a popular ingredient in many Gaia Herbs formulas, including our Certified Organic Milk Thistle PhytoCaps, Milk Thistle tincture, Liver Cleanse, and more.

Despite the herb’s popularity and benefits, high-quality organic Milk Thistle standardized for Silymarins (the herbs' primary active plant compound) is rarely found in a medium outside of tinctures, capsules, and teas.

All that is changing with Gaia Herbs' newest product: Milk Thistle Gummies. 

Gaia Herbs was the first in the market to use an organic European-standardized Milk Thistle extract—the highest mark of quality—which differs drastically from low-quality, mass-produced extracts.

In addition, they’re made using the same high-quality, purity-tested, sugar-free, dye-free, excipient-free, fruit-sweetened, vegan gummy formula we’re known for.

In this article, we’ll share all the details of this exciting new product, including the formulation, sourcing, benefits, and FAQs.

A Brief Overview of Milk Thistle: It’s Traditional Uses and Benefits

For those unfamiliar with Milk Thistle, this prickly, reddish-purple flowering herb was originally used for centuries in Traditional European Medicine as a livertonic.REF#4039 REF#4040 REF#4041 REF#4042

Dioscorides, a Greek physician who lived from 40 to 90 AD, described Milk Thistle as a traditional remedy, and its use has also been recorded in Traditional Middle Eastern Medicine.

Also known as Silybum marianum, Holy Thistle, or Mary Thistle, it is native to the Mediterranean but is now found worldwide, growing in fields, ditches, and gardens.

When crushed, Milk Thistle leaves release a milky white liquid, which is likely where it gets its name.

Traditional Uses of Milk Thistle

As mentioned earlier, Milk Thistle is best known as a liver-supportive herb, hence its popularity in liver and detoxification herbal formulas.

Milk Thistle’s long history of traditional use has made it the subject of numerous studies.REF#4043 REF#4044 REF#4045 REF#4046 REF#4047 REF#4048 REF#4049 REF#4050

Researchers have identified its active plant compound, Silymarin, a flavonoid compound obtained from Milk Thistle seeds, which is believed to have antioxidant properties and may be responsible for many of its benefits and traditional uses.REF#4051

Benefits of Milk Thistle/Silymarin

Studies on Milk Thistle and Silymarin suggest a variety of potential health benefits—many of which reflect its traditional use, including verifying its liver-supportive and protective properties via the antioxidant properties of Silymarin.REF#4052 REF#4053 REF#4054

As indicated by its long history of use and clinical studies, Milk Thistle has stood the test of time as a liver herbal ally.

What Makes Gaia Herbs’ Milk Thistle Gummies One-of-a-Kind?

Gaia Herbs is not the first company to formulate a Milk Thistle gummy. 

However, our new gummies are an industry-first for several reasons, including:

Gaia Herbs’ Milk Thistle Gummies are the first gummy formula to contain a Certified Organic Milk Thistle Gummy using European-standardized Milk Thistle extract.

This detail matters because modern researchers and traditional herbalists agree that the best way to take Milk Thistle for liver support is in a concentrated extract that is standardized to Silymarins.

Formulation Manager Susan E. Hirsch, MS, CNS, says, “Our European supplier has the history and expertise to make a clean extract that matches the European monograph for Milk Thistle. These were established in 1971 to produce the world’s first standardized Milk Thistle extract and continue to produce Milk Thistle extracts as a primary part of their business.”

In Gaia Herbs Milk Thistle Gummies, you are guaranteed 100mg of full-spectrum Silymarin per serving. This is confirmed by ISO-certified methods.

Clean Extraction with no Toxic Solvent Residues

Many herbal product companies rely on chemical solvents for their standardization extracts, like Milk Thistle/Silymarin, that cannot be entirely removed from the end product.

Gaia Herbs is proud to go the extra mile to ensure zero toxic solvents are used in our products, including gummies. We accomplish this by only using ethanol, water, and supercritical CO2 as extract solvents.

Per Hirsch, this method isn’t the most efficient or cost-effective, but it creates a better product for people and the planet. “We want to challenge the industry to rise to this standard.”

Impeccable Sourcing of Raw Materials

Gaia Herbs is known as an industry leader in the transparent sourcing of raw materials through our Meet Your Herbs Program. 

This program allows you to scan your Gaia Herbs product and immediately see where the raw materials came from.

When you scan your bottle of Milk Thistle Gummies, you’ll see that the Milk Thistle came from our trusted partner in Austria.

This partner has run a seed-to-shelf operation for over 30 years and has extensive experience in herbal farming, a state-of-the-art processing campus, an in-house lab, and meticulous post-harvest handling procedures to avoid common issues like mycotoxins.

Their botanical specialists also carefully control the selection of seeds for cultivation to ensure a potent and high-quality product. 

Says Hirsch: “The supplier for all of our Milk Thistle Extracts has been involved in the original research and production of the extracts used in the research from the beginning and is the world’s largest producer of Milk Thistle extracts.”

Gaia Herbs’ Milk Thistle Gummies are free from sugar, dyes, artificial sweeteners, gelatin, gluten, natural flavor, artificial flavor, and all the other stuff you don’t want compromising your herbal experience.

In addition to the 220 mg of Organic Milk Thistle Fruit Extract and 100mg of Silymarin per serving, our gummies contain:

  • Organic apple juice concentrate
  • Organic apple puree concentrate
  • Organic sunflower oil
  • Organic banana fruit
  • Organic lemon juice concentrate
  • Pectin (from apples and oranges)
  • Organic rice flour
  • Organic rice starch
  • Organic lemon peel essential oil
  • Organic carnauba wax

That’s it.

Our goal was to create the strongest Milk Thistle gummy on the market with a delicious lemon taste that complements Milk Thistle's mild bitter flavor. We’re pleased to report, this formula achieves that.

The bottom line is that Gaia Herbs’ Milk Thistle Gummies are a delicious way to get your Milk Thistle/Silymarin without compromising quality for taste.

How Gaia Herbs Milk Thistle Gummies FAQ

Launching a new product always brings up a lot of questions, especially from our herb-savvy community! Here, we answer some of your FAQs.

Q: What are the quality concerns with Milk Thistle, and how does Gaia Herbs ensure the quality of our Milk Thistle extracts?

A: We’ve discussed some of these issues previously. However, there are many potential issues with Milk Thistle extracts, including:

  • Solvents: As a fatty seed, Milk Thistle is often extracted with more toxic solvents such as ethyl acetate, acetone, methanol, and hexane and may contain solvent residues.
  • Toxins: Milk Thistle (and other herbs) can be contaminated with aflatoxins, heavy metals, and pesticides.
  • Gluten: Cross contamination is a common concern as gluten-containing grains are often grown in fields where Milk Thistle seed is grown or processed on the same equipment.
  • Composition: Cheaper Milk Thistle extracts often lack the full range of Silymarin isomers outlined in the USP monograph.

Gaia Herbs Milk Thistle extract is tested for residual solvents, aflatoxins, heavy metals, pesticides, Silymarin isomers, and gluten, ensuring a consistently safe product.

Q: What is the difference between Gaia Herbs Milk Thistle Gummies and Gaia Herbs Milk Thistle Liquid PhytoCaps?

A: The difference is in the amount of Milk Thistle and Silymarin per serving. Here’s the break-down:


      • 750 mg Organic Silactive® Milk Thistle fruit extract
      • 375 mg Silymarins

    Both products contain certified organic Milk Thistle sourced from our trusted partner and are standardized to Silymarin.

    Q: Can I take these gummies every day/long-term?

    A: Studies on Milk Thistle show it is appropriate for daily long-term use.REF#4055

    Q: How long will it take to notice the benefits?

    A: All herbs affect people differently, so benefits may not be noticeable. However, with continued use, you may see changes in digestive and bowel function.

    Q: What do these gummies taste like?

    A: The best way to describe their flavor is sweet and lemony with a slightly pleasant astringent herbal flavor.

    Q: Is this product safe for children, pregnancy, and during lactation?

    A: Always check with a healthcare practitioner for care and recommendations during these sensitive times.

    Q: Are there any contraindications between Milk Thistle and prescription drugs?

    A: Ask your healthcare professional about whether Milk Thistle is safe to use if you are taking prescription drugs.

    Q: Are there any allergens in Milk Thistle Gummies? 

    A: No. The gummies are coated with a small amount of rice flour to prevent sticking. Note: Milk Thistle is in the Asteraceae family and should be avoided if allergic to other members of that family.

    Q: Is this product gluten-free? 

    A: Yes. Products are tested for gluten by Elisa testing before release.

    Ready To Try Gaia Herbs Milk Thistle Gummies?

    Our newest gummies are now available for purchase via our online store and other trusted merchants and providers.

    Click here to order yours and start experiencing the liver-loving benefits of Certified Organic Standardized Milk Thistle in a tasty and convenient gummy today.

    REFERENCES:

    • 1. , " “Silymarin”, a Promising Pharmacological Agent for Treatment of Diseases.", Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences.
    • 2. , "A review on the mechanisms of the effect of Silymarin in Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) on some laboratory animals. ", Veterinary Medicine and Science.
    • 3. , "Silymarin: a review on paving the way towards promising pharmacological agent.", International Journal of Food Properties, 26.
    • 4. , "A review of therapeutic potentials of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum L.) and its main constituent, Silymarin, on cancer, and their related patents.", Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences.
    • 5. , "“Silymarin”, a Promising Pharmacological Agent for Treatment of Diseases.", Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences.
    • 6. , "A review on the mechanisms of the effect of Silymarin in Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) on some laboratory animals.", Veterinary Medicine and Science.
    • 7. , "Silymarin: a review on paving the way towards promising pharmacological agent.", International Journal of Food Properties, 26.
    • 8. , "A review of therapeutic potentials of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum L.) and its main constituent, Silymarin, on cancer, and their related patents.", Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences.
    • 9. , "Silymarin: Unveiling its pharmacological spectrum and therapeutic potential in liver diseases—A comprehensive narrative review.", Food Science & Nutrition.
    • 10. , "“Silymarin”, a Promising Pharmacological Agent for Treatment of Diseases.", Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences.
    • 11. , "Effect of 8 Weeks Milk Thistle powder (Silymarin extract) supplementation on fatty liver disease in patients candidates for bariatric surgery. ", Metabol Open. 2022.
    • 12. , "A review on the mechanisms of the effect of Silymarin in Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) on some laboratory animals.", Veterinary Medicine and Science.
    • 13. , "Silymarin: Unveiling its pharmacological spectrum and therapeutic potential in liver diseases—A comprehensive narrative review.", Food Science & Nutrition.
    • 14. , "“Silymarin”, a Promising Pharmacological Agent for Treatment of Diseases", Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences.
    • 15. , " Effect of 8 Weeks Milk Thistle powder (Silymarin extract) supplementation on fatty liver disease in patients candidates for bariatric surgery", Metabol Open. 2022.
    • 16. , "A review on the mechanisms of the effect of Silymarin in Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) on some laboratory animals", Veterinary Medicine and Science.
    • 17. , "Review of Clinical Trials Evaluating Safety and Efficacy of Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum [L.] Gaertn.)", Carmen Tamayo, MD, and Suzanne Diamond, MSc.