Milk Thistle for Hangover
Disclaimer: This content has been produced purely for informational and educational purposes only and is never intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical guidelines including diagnosis, advice, and treatment.
Hangovers are a common issue nowadays, especially in developed countries like the United States and Canada. Though the symptoms of hangovers tend to go away within 24 hours or so, they are unpleasant and often interfere with day-to-day activities. Although there is no fast cure, many people claim better feeling with milk thistle for hangovers along with other home remedies such as sleeping enough, drinking a lot of water, and taking some carbs.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of milk thistle for hangovers in a little bit of detail. But before we get into how milk thistle can help with managing symptoms of hangovers, it’s worth knowing the basics of hangovers a little bit more. So, let’s get started.
Table of contents
- What is a hangover?
- Symptoms of hangovers
- Causes of hangovers
- What is milk thistle?
- How milk thistle can help with hangovers
- How to use milk thistle
- Precautions and side effects
- Final words
What is a hangover?
A hangover is a set of unpleasant physical and mental symptoms that develop after drinking too much alcohol. In general, the more alcohol you consume, the more you are likely to develop a hangover the next day.
Symptoms of hangovers may interfere with your performance and cause conflicts at work. Hangovers usually last up to 24 hours and go away on their own. But you can still take support of some home remedies to help with managing associated symptoms more easily and efficiently.
Symptoms of hangovers
Symptoms of hangovers begin when the alcohol content in the blood drops and reach at or near zero suddenly. They are most profound in the morning after the night of heavy alcohol consumption. The severity of hangover symptoms may vary from person to person depending on the type and amount of alcohol, as well as the tolerance of the body.
However, a large number of signs and symptoms have been found associated with hangovers, including, but not limited to:
- Headaches and body muscle aches
- Rapid heartbeat and shakiness
- Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramp, and pain
- Dry mouth with excessive thirst
- Extreme weakness and fatigue
- Sensitivity to sound and light
- Decreased or poor sleep
- Reduced ability to focus
- Mood disturbances such as anxiety, irritability, and depression
Symptoms of emergency
Sometimes hangovers may be associated with more severe signs and symptoms that may indicate alcohol poisoning, a life-threatening medical condition that needs immediate medical attention. Seek emergency medical care if, after drinking, a person shows symptoms of:
- Seizure
- Confusion
- Pale or blue-tinged skin
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Vomiting
- Difficulty staying conscious
- Low body temperature
Causes of hangovers
The main reason for hangovers is consuming too much alcohol and the active ingredients it contains such as congeners. Excessive drinking affects the human body in many ways that may contribute to developing hangovers, such as:
- Inflammation
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Dehydration
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Disruption of some body processes such as sleep
- Sudden fall in blood sugar levels
- The sudden expansion of blood vessels
What is milk thistle?
Milk thistle, botanically known as Silybum marianum, is an annual or biennial flowering plant related to the ragweed and daisy family. It is endemic to Mediterranean countries.
The distinctive purple flowers of milk thistle contain an active ingredient called silymarin which shows significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in the body. For this reason, milk thistle has long been used traditionally for liver and gallbladder disorders, as well as to help with managing symptoms of hangovers.
How milk thistle can help with hangovers
Milk thistle has long been relied upon traditionally throughout history as a potent natural remedy for hangovers. It has an incredible ability to protect the liver and may help with managing some of the prevalent symptoms of hangovers such as stomach upset.
Moreover, it shows strong anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antioxidant actions in the body that can help reduce the long-term effects of heavy drinking on the kidneys and liver.
Benefits of milk thistle for hangovers
Silymarin, the active ingredient in milk thistle, plays important roles in many body functions. But it has some direct roles in the body, such as:
- Promoting the normal function of the liver
- Supporting regular kidney function
- Helping to protect the liver as well as the body from free radical damages
- Improving immune response in the body
- Encouraging good cholesterol production
Furthermore, studies suggest that milk thistle and the silymarin it contains work wonders along with conventional medicines in the treatment and prevention of various liver diseases such as hepatitis, jaundice, cirrhosis, and gallbladder disorders.
How to use milk thistle
Although milk thistle has long been used in traditional medicine, there is no standard dosage. Milk thistle is mostly taken in the form of dietary supplements. In general, dosages of milk thistle extract range from 150 mg to 750 mg per day.
Precautions and side effects
Though milk thistle is likely safe and well-tolerated in recommended doses, higher doses may show side effects such as allergic reactions, nausea, stomach upset, and diarrhea in some people. But they are not common.
Milk thistle may also interfere with certain prescription medications like diabetes medications. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to consult with a licensed naturopathic medicine practitioner before starting milk thistle for a hangover, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or on medications for any underlying health conditions.
Final words
Milk thistle has long been used throughout history to treat and prevent liver diseases as well as symptoms of hangovers. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the active ingredient of milk thistle, silymarin, can help ease hangover symptoms and may help lower the long-term effects of heavy drinking on the kidneys and liver.
Like with all supplements, overdoses of milk thistle may produce some side effects. Therefore, it’s recommended to consult with a licensed natural medicine professional prior to using milk thistle for hangovers.
Here you can see Vorst’s pure and natural Milk Thistle 150 mg Capsules
Here you can also check out Vorst’s special liver care formula Liver Care Vegan Capsules that contain Milk Thistle along with other beneficial minerals and herbs.
Important resources:
- https://www.afterdrink.com/milk-thistle-for-hangovers/#Is_milk_thistle_good_for_hangovers
- https://www.hangoverheaven.com/blog/milk-thistle-health-benefits-and-side-effects/
- https://hriherbalmedicine.co.uk/milk-thistle-hangover-remedy/
- https://www.schwabepharma.co.uk/ailment/milk-thistle-as-a-hangover-cure/
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/milk-thistle-hangover#effectiveness
- https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/milk-thistle-benefits-and-side-effects
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hangovers/symptoms-causes/syc-20373012
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16627-hangover