سلبين مريمي

The fruits of this herb are used. It contains flavolignans, especially silymarin and its isomers silibinin, silychristin and silydianin, flavonoids, steroids and estrogen-like compounds. Attributed properties: Hepatic protector ^{(Fitoterapia.net, WHO 2002)}. Indications of the Commission E of the German Ministry of Health: cholelithiasis, hepatopathies. ^{(Blumenthal 1989)}

Its components are excreted in breast milk in little or no quantity. ^{(Peila 2015, Di Pierro 2008)}

Its bioavailability is very low, with very little oral absorption. ^{(Javed 2011)}

No problems have been observed in infants whose mothers took milk thistle or any of its components, such as silymarin. ^{(Zecca 2016, Peila 2015).}

This plant is widely used in traditional medicine as a liver protector. It is recently marketed as a galactogogue during breastfeeding ^{(Amer 2015, Sim 2013, Zapantis 2012, CLM 2012, Di Pierro 2008)}. There is no evidence of its efficacy as a galactogogue ^{(McBride 2021, Bazzano 2017, Peila 2015, Mortel 2013, Forinash 2012, Zapantis 2012, CLM 2012, Amir 2011, Jackson 2010, Zuppa 2010)}. The works carried out that attribute galactogogue effect to it are of faulty methodology. ^{(Karapati 2021, Serrao 2018, Zecca 2016, Castoldi 2014, Zuppa 2010, Di Pierro 2008, Vojtísek 1991)}

The best galactogogue is frequent demand breastfeeding with correct technique in a mother who retains her self-confidence. ^{(ABM 2018 and 2011, Mannion 2012, Forinash 2012)}

Because lack of toxicity at usual dosing a moderate consumption during breastfeeding would have a low or nil risk.

Precautions when taking plant preparations ^{(Anderson 2017, Powers 2015, Posadzki 2013, Efferth 2011, Kopec 1999, Hsu 1995)}:

• Ensure they are from a reliable source. Poisonings have occurred from mistaking one plant for another with toxic properties ^{(Hsu 1995)}, poisonings from containing heavy metals that they extract from the soil, and food poisonings from contamination with bacteria or fungi. ^{(Anderson 2017)}
• Do not take in excess. Follow recommendations of professional experts in phytotherapy. “Natural” products are not good in any quantity: plants contain active substances from which much of our traditional pharmacopoeia has been obtained and can cause intoxications or act as endocrine disruptors if consumed in exaggerated quantity or time, as they contain phytoestrogens. ^{(Powers 2015, Zava 1998)}