- HEALTH
Rhodiola Rosea and Milk Thistle for Better Liver Health and Reduced Fatigue
Milk Thistle and Liver Health: Let’s Find Out How It Really Works!
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum), a member of the Asteraceae family, is a type of thistle that has long been used in both Eastern and Western medicine to support liver health. Its key active compound, silymarin, is a powerful antioxidant known to protect liver cells from damage caused by reactive oxygen species. Based on findings published in academic journals, let’s explore how milk thistle consumption may offer a variety of health benefits — particularly in promoting liver function and overall well-being.
According to the 2002 paper ""Pharmacology of Silymarin"" published in Clinical Investigation, silymarin helps stabilize liver cell membranes. These membranes act as selective barriers — allowing essential substances into the cell while blocking harmful toxins. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are toxic byproducts generated during the body’s metabolic processes involving oxygen. These unstable molecules accelerate aging and continuously damage healthy cells. When liver cell membranes become destabilized by constant oxidative stress, liver cells lose their ability to effectively eliminate toxins, which can eventually lead to disease. Silymarin plays a protective role by stabilizing these membranes, enabling liver cells to function properly and efficiently expel harmful substances, thereby supporting overall liver health.
In addition, silymarin aids in detoxification and cellular repair. The liver is responsible for various essential functions, including metabolism, synthesis, detoxification, and immune defense — with detoxification being one of its most crucial roles. Silymarin enhances the liver’s natural detoxifying capacity and helps repair cellular damage, contributing to overall liver resilience.
Reference: Fraschini, F. Demartini, G. & Esposti, D. (2002).
Pharmacology of Silymarin. Clinical Drug Investigation, 22(1), 51-65. doi:10.2165/00044011-200222010-00007
Silymarin exhibits powerful antioxidant and free radical scavenging effects. One of the key reasons behind this is its ability to boost the body’s production of glutathione — a major detoxifying compound that also acts as a potent antioxidant and free radical neutralizer. A 2007 study published in Phytomedicine demonstrated that silymarin administration significantly increased glutathione levels in rats. Additionally, a 2020 review published in Advances in Therapy confirmed that silymarin enhances the activity of glutathione peroxidase, an enzyme responsible for generating glutathione in the body.
References: 1.Nencini, C. Giorgi, G. & Micheli, L. (2007).
Protective effect of silymarin on oxidative stress in rat brain. Phytomedicine, 14(2-3), 129–135. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2006.02.005
Milk Thistle
Silymarin is known for its anti-inflammatory effects. A 2000 animal study published in Phytomedicine showed that silymarin inhibits 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme involved in inflammation, suggesting its potential to reduce systemic inflammation and alleviate conditions such as arthritis. Furthermore, a 2015 article in the Journal of Natural Products reported that silymarin modulates inflammation through cell signaling mechanism.
Inflammation can affect various parts of the body. In the liver, chronic inflammation may lead to fibrosis—a condition where healthy liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, reducing liver function. In other parts of the body, inflammation is also associated with conditions like arthritis (joints), folliculitis (skin), and acne. Effectively managing inflammation is essential for maintaining long-term health and preventing disease.
References: Gupta, O. P., Sing, S., Bani, S., Sharma, N., Malhotra, S., Gupta, B. D., ... Handa, S. S. (2000).
Anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of silymarin acting through inhibition
of 5-lipoxygenase. Phytomedicine, 7(1), 21–24. doi:10.1016/s0944-7113(00)80017-3
The skin is one of the most visible places where the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of silymarin can be observed. In 2012, BMC Dermatology published a clinical study involving 96 patients diagnosed with melasma. All participants experienced significant improvements in pigmentation and a noticeable reduction in lesion size. These skin benefits are largely attributed to silymarin’s proven antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Additionally, silymarin boosts the production of glutathione — a powerful antioxidant also widely used in cosmetic medicine as the active ingredient in so-called “whitening injections.”
Reference: Altaei, T. (2012).
The treatment of melasma by silymarin cream.
BMC Dermatology, 12(1).
doi:10.1186/1471-5945-12-18
See also: The Good Pharmacist - What You Didn't Know About Milk Thistle
Clinical studies have confirmed that consuming silymarin can help reduce levels of GOT and GPT enzymes.
GOT and GPT are enzymes found in liver cells. When liver cells are damaged or destroyed, these enzymes leak into the bloodstream, causing their levels in the blood to rise. Therefore, measuring GOT and GPT levels is commonly used to assess the extent of liver cell damage
*Source: H.Fallah Huseini et al, The Efficacy of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (Silymarin) in the Treatment
of Type ll Diabetes: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Clinical Trial, Phytotherapy research,
20(1036-1039), 2006
Rhodiola rosea is a perennial herb that grows in high mountain areas like Mount Paektu. Its extract has been certified by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for helping to improve fatigue caused by stress. Clinical studies have shown that it reduces the secretion of the stress hormone cortisol, thereby alleviating fatigue. Regular consumption of Rhodiola rosea, along with milk thistle, can support both liver health and relief from stress-related fatigue.
Rhodiola Rosea (wild flower)
The liver is often called the "silent organ" because its damage usually goes unnoticed until it becomes severe. In particular, many Koreans face high levels of stress in daily life and work, which can put extra strain on the liver. For this reason, managing stress properly and reducing risk factors is essential to maintaining a healthy liver and living each day to the fullest.
