Beyond healthful food, many natural herbal supplements offer liver protection. One of the best is a thistle plant native to southern Europe and North Africa called milk thistle. Milk thistle has been used in its native lands for thousands of years for treatment of jaundice and other liver conditions.
Silymarin, the primary active component of milk thistle, offers potent antioxidant protection for liver cells. It also increases natural antioxidants found in liver cells and has been found to induce regeneration of liver cells. It is the most widely researched of all hepatoprotective (liver-protective) herbs and is well known for low toxicity and high safety.
Suggested Dosage: 200 mg extract standardized to 80% silymarin twice daily (1200 mg daily if liver enzymes are elevated).
Side effects: Milk thistle is extremely well tolerated. Negative reactions are rare.