milk thistle
noun
: a tall thistle (Silybum marianum) having white-veined dark green leaves and large purple flower heads that is native to the Mediterranean region but has become naturalized elsewhere including the U.S.
also
: an extract of milk thistle and especially its seeds that is held to protect the liver from damage or disease
Examples of milk thistle in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Formulated with oily and acne-prone skin in mind, this serum features a cocktail of silymarin (milk thistle extract), L-ascorbic acid, and ferulic and salicylic acid to reduce oiliness, breakouts, and skin texture.
—
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 8 July 2024
While evidence is mixed, it is believed that milk thistle may stimulate prolactin, the hormone needed to make breast milk.2 Note that Legendairy Milk is fenugreek-free.
—Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Parents, 15 May 2024
One packet not only contains milk thistle, fenugreek, and fennel but also collagen, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12.
—Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Parents, 15 May 2024
Enter milk thistle: a natural aid to improve digestion.
—Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for milk thistle 
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 8 July 2024
While evidence is mixed, it is believed that milk thistle may stimulate prolactin, the hormone needed to make breast milk.2 Note that Legendairy Milk is fenugreek-free.
—Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Parents, 15 May 2024
One packet not only contains milk thistle, fenugreek, and fennel but also collagen, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12.
—Lainey Younkin, Ms, Rd, Parents, 15 May 2024
Enter milk thistle: a natural aid to improve digestion.
—Valentina Bottoni, Vogue, 23 Mar. 2024
See all Example Sentences for milk thistle
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'milk thistle.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Milk thistle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/milk%20thistle. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
milk thistle
noun
milk this·tle
-ˈthis-əl 
1
: a tall thistle (Silybum marianum) that is the source of silymarin, has large clasping white-blotched leaves and large purple flower heads with bristly receptacles, and is native to southern Europe but has been widely introduced elsewhere including the United States
2
: an extract of milk thistle and especially its seeds : silymarin
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