Lactation

Overview

It is not clear whether Milk Thistle helps increase breast milk production. A small study gave mothers of preterm babies milk thistle twice daily for four weeks and found it did not increase milk production compared with placebo.

Evidence remains limited to this single low-rated study. The evidence review below provides further context on what is currently known.

Effect graph

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Milk Thistle	★★★★★	Low

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Studies

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1 supplement for rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.

Milk ThistleView supplement →

Reconsider purchase★★★★★

How we scored this

Effect SizeLowEvidenceLowTrustMedium

Evidence Review

It is not clear if milk thistle helps mothers produce more breast milk.
A small study gave mothers of preterm babies milk thistle twice a day for 4 weeks and found it did not increase milk production compared to a placebo.

Browse 1 study

RCTEvaluation of the galactogogue effect of silymarin on mothers of preterm newborns (<32 weeks)2015

An RCT in mothers of preterm infants (<32 weeks) found silymarin significantly increased breast-milk production versus placebo.