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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Milk Thistle One herb commonly found in supplements for liver health is milk thistle (Silybum marianum). Brittany Lubeck, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 31 Oct. 2024 The primer features milk thistle extract and glycerin, in addition to pore-blurring polymers, to control oil and blur pores. James Manso, WWD, 13 Aug. 2024 Still, more research is needed to confirm if milk thistle affects your liver enough to produce long-term results. Devineé Lingo, M.s., Rdn, Health, 9 Sep. 2024 Plus, their milk thistle seed extract is sustainable, created with upcycled by-product of milk thistle oil production. Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for milk thistle 

Word History

First Known Use

1562, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of milk thistle was in 1562

Dictionary Entries Near milk thistle

Cite this Entry

“Milk thistle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/milk%20thistle. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

milk thistle

noun
milk this·​tle -ˈthis-əl How to pronounce milk thistle (audio)
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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