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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
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
Luna Morada incorporates a mix of purple maize, wormwood, milk thistle and warming spices such as cinnamon and clove.
—Rachel King, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024
As an antioxidant, silymarin (a flavonoid in milk thistle seeds) helps prevent inflammation that can lead to liver disorders.
—Devineé Lingo, M.s., Rdn, Health, 9 Sep. 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.
Word History
First Known Use
1562, in the meaning defined above
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 30 Oct. 2024.
Medical 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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