Common Name Milk Thistle, Lady Thistle, Blessed Milk Thistle, Marian Thistle, St. Mary's Thistle, Mediterranean Milk Thistle, and Variegated Thistle

Latin Binomial Silybum marianum L. Gaertn.
Family: Asteraceae

Part Used Fruits (seeds), herb

Pharmacopoeial & Other Monographs

BHP 1996 (21)
BP 2007 (33)
Complete German Commission E 1998 (17)
Martindale 35th Edition (34)
Ph Eu 2007 (32)
US 29/NF24 (35)

Active Constituents Flavanolignans
Silybins A and B
Isosilybins A and B
Silydianin
Silychristins
Isosilychristins

Flavonoids
Taxifolin
Aromadendrin

Pharmacokinetics Approximately 20-50% of Silymarin (a mixture of the main flavonolignans and taxifolin) is absorbed following oral administration and approximately 80% of the dose, whether administered orally or intravenously, is excreted in the bile. (11) 240mg of Silibinin (a mixture of silybins A and B) has a half-life of 6 hours. (12)(13)

Pharmacological Action Red clover is a legume rich in isoflavonoid phytoestrogens including: genistein, daidzein, formononetin, and biochanin A. These compounds support critical hormone levels within both men and women. Phytoestrogens support health by: (14)

Binding to estrogen receptors and prevent the body from producing estradiol.
Boosting progesterone expression and help the body normalize estrogen to progesterone ratio.
Decreasing cholesterol and support the liver in detoxifying the blood and converting excess estradiol into estriol.
Acting as antioxidants.
Inhibiting the formation of new blood vessels (that feed abnormal cells).
Increasing several enzymes that prevent DNA adducts and decrease cellular damage and aging.

Food Use The Council of Europe designates Red Clover as a natural source of Food Flavoring. It is Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS).

Herbal Use/Indication Red Clover can be used as a dermatological agent, antispasmodic, and expectorant. It has been used to treat chronic skin diseases, whooping cough, eczema, and psoriasis. (19)(20)(64)(29)

Dosage Dried flower-head: 4 as infusion three times per day. (19)(20)
Liquid extract: 1.5-3.0 ml (1:1 in 25% alcohol) three times per day. (19)(20)
Tincture: 1-2ml (1:10 in 45% alcohol) three times per day. (19)(20)

Side Effects Urticarial reactions have been documented. (5) Infertility and growth disorders have been reported in grazing animals (23) These effects may be due to oestrogenic constitiuents.

Contra-Indications Drug-Interactions
Since the constituents of red clover have estrogenic effects, red clover may interfere with hormonal therapies.

Pregnancy and lactation
Due to estrogenic effects, the consumption of red clover should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation.

BHP 1996

BP 2007

Complete German Commission E 1998

Martindale 35th Edition

Ph Eu 2007

US 29/NF24

Mennicke WH. Sur bilogischen Verfugbarkeit and Verstoffwechselung von Silybin. Dtsch Apoth Ztg 19785; 115: 1205-1206.

Lorenz D et al. Pharmacokinetic studies with silymarin in human serum and bile. Meth Find Exp Clin Pharmacol 1984; 6: 655-661.

Weyhenmeyer R et al. Study on the dose-linearity of the pharmacokinetics of silibinin diastereomers using a new sterospecific assay. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol 1992; 30: 134-138.

Red Clover Herb and Blossom. [Internet]; Available from: http;//www.florhealth.com/flora/home/Canada/HealthInformation/Encyclopedias/RedClover.htm#Overview.

BHC 1992

British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, 1990, bol 1. Bournemouth: British Herbal Medicine Association, 1990.

British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, 1990, vol.1. Bournemouth: British Herbal Medicine Association, 1990.

Wren RC. Potter's New Cyclopedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations (revised, Williamson WE, Evans FJ). Saffron Walden: Daniel, 1988.

Tobler M et al. characteristics of whole fresh plant extracts. Schweiz Aschr GanzheitsMedizin 1994; 6: 257-266.

Frhne D. Pfander HJ. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. London: Wolfe, 1984.