Re: Re: Is Milk Thistle SCD-legal?

[Guest guest]

Hey Ellen, There is something on the BTVC site about herbal supplements but the search feature on the site isn't working. I tried looking through previous threads about it, but I couldn't find the one that provided a link to that information. Sorry, I couldn't help.Misty Kimble - 30yoLouisianaCD - 1y, no medsSCD - 5 monthsI have been advised to take Milk Thistle capsules to strengthen or detox my liver, which might help with my chemical sensitivities and other chronic health problems.I think that Milk Thistle is an herb. Are all herbs SCD-legal?http://www.pecanbread.com/new/Sup1.htmlMILK THISTLEElaine Gottschall's remarks regarding Milk Thistle:Is it legal or not? I think the SCD will accomplish everything milk thistle does and will avoid the side effects including diarrhea, etc. But I have no expertise in herbs and some people swear that some herbs have accomplished amazing results. Considering that the report found on Medline came from controlled research under the auspices of NIH and STILL no conclusive answers, how can I give it my stamp of approval? I realize that most people want "black and white" answers from me. In this case, I cannot say it is illegal because it just might hasten up the process of detoxification of the liver. If you have been using it and there has been no diarrhea and you can see results, then use it.

[Guest guest]

Thanks Deb. I am allergic to ragweed, marigolds, and related plants, and I

have endometriosis and some other hormone problems. So I see that milk

thistle would not be a good herb for me, regardless of whether or not I am

on SCD. I never would have known this without your help.

The one positive effect of milk thistle would be a decrease in estrogens. I

take a few different herbal combinations now to combat the effects of

estrogens causing me health problems. Needless to say, I don't take any

estrogen supplements.

I will have to discuss this with the medical practitioner who recommended

this product to me. I also need to check the homeopathic remedy for liver

function that she recommended.

Is the natural medicines database publicly accessible? If so, I would

appreciate the URL. If not, then I thank you for researching this for me.

Ellen in Toronto

IBS, ME/CFS, MCS

SCD week 12

" Deb " wrote:

>I have access to a natural medicines database. From what I read, you

>should

> proceed cautiously with milk thistle, if at all. Here is some info I

> found:

>

>

>

> Milk thistle is safe for most adults. Milk thistle sometimes causes a

> laxative effect. Other less common side effects are nausea, diarrhea,

> indigestion, intestinal gas, bloating, fullness or pain, and loss of

> appetite. Milk thistle can cause an allergic reaction in people sensitive

> to

> plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family including ragweed, marigolds,

> daisies, and other related plants.

>

> Do not take milk thistle if:

> * You are sensitive or allergic to ragweed, marigolds, daisies, and

> other related plants.

>

> * You have a hormone-sensitive condition. Some of these conditions

> include endometriosis; uterine fibroids; and cancers of the breast,

> uterus,

> and ovaries.

> No known food or herb interactions.

>

> Drug interactions:

....

> Milk thistle might decrease hormones in the body. Milk thistle might help

> the body break down estrogen pills to get rid of them. Taking milk thistle

> along with estrogens might decrease the effectiveness of estrogen pills.

>

> Milk thistle contains a chemical called silymarin. Silymarin might be the

> part of milk thistle that helps the body break down estrogens.

>

> Some estrogen pills include conjugated equine estrogens (Premarin),

> ethinyl

> estradiol, estradiol, and others.

>

>

> Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9 (CYP2C9) substrates)

> Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

> Talk with your health provider.

>

> Some medications are changed and broken down by the liver.

>

> Milk thistle might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down some

> medications. Taking milk thistle along with some medications that are

> broken

> down by the liver can increase the effects and side effects of some

> medications. Before taking milk thistle talk to your healthcare provider

> if

> you take any medications that are changed by the liver.

>

> Some medications that are changed by the liver include amitriptyline

> (Elavil), diazepam (Valium), zileuton (Zyflo), celecoxib (Celebrex),

> diclofenac (Voltaren), fluvastatin (Lescol), glipizide (Glucotrol),

> ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), irbesartan (Avapro), losartan (Cozaar),

> phenytoin

> (Dilantin), piroxicam (Feldene), tamoxifen (Nolvadex), tolbutamide

> (Tolinase), torsemide (Demadex), warfarin (Coumadin), and others.

>

>

> Medications changed by the liver (Glucuronidated Drugs)

> Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

> Talk with your health provider.

>

> The body breaks down some medications to get rid of them. The liver helps

> break down these medications. Taking milk thistle might affect how well

> the

> liver breaks down drugs. This could increase or decrease how well some of

> these medications work.

>

> Some of these medications changed by the liver include acetaminophen,

> atorvastatin (Lipitor), diazepam (Valium), digoxin, entacapone (Comtan),

> estrogen, irinotecan (Camptosar), lamotrigine (Lamictal), lorazepam

> (Ativan), lovastatin (Mevacor), meprobamate, morphine, oxazepam (Serax),

> and

> others.

>

>

>

> Deb

>

> UC

>

> SCD 3 months

>

>

[Guest guest]

Is the natural medicines database publicly accessible?

If so, I would

appreciate the URL. If not, then I thank you for researching this for me.

Hi Ellen,

Sorry, that database isn’t

publicly accessible. My school has a subscription to it, which is why I have

access as a student.

If you want anything else

checked out, let me know.

Deb