{"product_id":"milk-thistle-bloom","title":"Milk Thistle Bloom","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWhat Milk Thistle Bloom Is\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMilk Thistle Bloom is a milk thistle food supplement. Milk thistle is one of the longest-established botanicals on a supplement shelf, and also one where the labels vary enough to be genuinely confusing — so this page is mostly about how to read them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat Milk Thistle Is\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMilk thistle is the common name for \u003cem\u003eSilybum marianum\u003c\/em\u003e, a flowering plant in the daisy family. It is native to the Mediterranean and has spread widely; in much of the world it grows as a common roadside weed, tall and spiny with a purple flower head.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe name comes from the white veining on its leaves. The part used in supplements is not the leaf or the flower but the \u003cstrong\u003eseed\u003c\/strong\u003e, which is why a well-specified product will say \"milk thistle seed extract\" rather than simply \"milk thistle\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSilymarin — The Word That Does The Work On The Label\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe compounds of interest in milk thistle seed are a group collectively called \u003cstrong\u003esilymarin\u003c\/strong\u003e, which includes several related substances, the best known being silybin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSilymarin is the reason milk thistle labels look the way they do. Because these compounds make up only a portion of the seed, milk thistle is usually sold as a \u003cstrong\u003estandardised extract\u003c\/strong\u003e — meaning the extract has been produced so that silymarin makes up a stated percentage of it, commonly written as something like \"standardised to 80% silymarin\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis has a direct practical consequence when comparing two products:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA product listing a large milligram figure of \u003cstrong\u003emilk thistle seed\u003c\/strong\u003e is describing raw plant material.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA product listing a smaller milligram figure of \u003cstrong\u003eextract standardised to 80% silymarin\u003c\/strong\u003e is describing something far more concentrated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bigger number is not the stronger product. Without the standardisation figure, a milligram number on a milk thistle pack tells you almost nothing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eExtract Ratios, And Why Two Numbers Are Better Than One\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlongside standardisation you will often see an \u003cstrong\u003eextract ratio\u003c\/strong\u003e, written as something like 30:1 or 80:1. That ratio states how much raw seed was concentrated into a given weight of extract.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBetween them, the ratio and the standardisation percentage are what make two milk thistle products comparable. A label that gives both is telling you something. A label that gives neither is telling you a number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy We Do Not Tell You What It Does\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMilk thistle is marketed with promises attached to particular organs. We do not make them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the United Kingdom a supplement may only carry a health claim that appears on the official register of authorised claims. There is no authorised claim for milk thistle or for silymarin. That is true for every brand selling it in this country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSo this page explains the plant, the part used, the compound group the label refers to, and how to read a standardisation figure. That is genuinely useful when choosing between products — which is more than a promise would be.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow It Fits Into Your Routine\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMilk thistle is taken as a daily habit rather than occasionally, and is usually anchored to a meal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat You Get In Each Pack\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA single pack, a 2 pack and a 4 pack. Identical product in each; only the quantity changes. Prices are shown on this page before you add anything to your basket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdults who want a milk thistle supplement and would rather be shown how to compare extracts than be told what an extract will do.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMilk thistle is in the daisy family, which also includes ragweed, chrysanthemum and marigold — if you have an allergy to plants in that family, this is one to avoid. It is also among the botanicals commonly mentioned in relation to medication interactions. If you take prescribed medication, are pregnant, are breastfeeding or are under medical supervision, speak to your doctor before taking it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuestions, Answered\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat plant does milk thistle come from?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSilybum marianum\u003c\/em\u003e, a flowering plant in the daisy family, native to the Mediterranean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhich part of the plant is used?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe seed. A well-specified label says \"milk thistle seed extract\" rather than just \"milk thistle\".\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat is silymarin?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe collective name for a group of related compounds found in milk thistle seed, the best known of which is silybin. It is what standardised milk thistle extracts are standardised to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does \"standardised to 80% silymarin\" mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat silymarin makes up that stated proportion of the extract. It is the figure that makes two extracts comparable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does a 30:1 extract ratio mean?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat a stated weight of raw seed was concentrated down to a smaller weight of extract.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is a bigger milligram number not necessarily stronger?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBecause a large figure often describes raw seed material, while a smaller figure may describe a concentrated standardised extract. The two are not comparable without the standardisation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs milk thistle related to any common allergens?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is in the daisy family, alongside ragweed, chrysanthemum and marigold. If you are allergic to plants in that family, avoid it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShould I check with my doctor before taking it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, if you take prescribed medication, are pregnant, are breastfeeding or are under medical supervision.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eImportant Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStorage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Store in a cool, dry place. Store out of the reach of young children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWarnings:\u003c\/strong\u003e Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Store out of the reach of young children. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or under medical supervision, consult your doctor before use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eProduct specification\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePack\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePack size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 120 tablets per pack\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eServings per pack:\u003c\/strong\u003e 60\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eServing size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 tablets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIngredients\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant-Based Binding Agent: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Artichoke Leaf Extract (Cynara Scolymus), Milk Thistle Extract (Silybum Marianum), Di Calcium Phosphate, Dandelion Leaf Extract (Taraxacum Officinale), Plant-Based Anti-Caking Agent: Magnesium Stearate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNutrition information\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePer serving (2 tablets)\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAmount\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e%NRV\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMilk Thistle Extract 4:1 (80% Silymarin)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 mg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e**\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e— Equivalent Milk Thistle Powder\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4000 mg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e**\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eArtichoke Extract 14:1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e114.3 mg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e**\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e— Equivalent Artichoke Powder\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1600 mg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e**\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDandelion Leaf Extract 4:1\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 mg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e**\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e— Equivalent Dandelion Leaf Powder\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e400 mg\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e**\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e%NRV = percentage of the Nutrient Reference Value. ** NRV not established.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAllergens\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlways check the allergen statement printed on the pack before use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDirections\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTake 2 tablets daily with a glass of water. Not intended for use by persons under the age of 18.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"BLOOMLY","offers":[{"title":"1 Pack","offer_id":47683215884450,"sku":"BLM-MLT-1P","price":7.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"2 Packs","offer_id":47683215917218,"sku":"BLM-MLT-2P","price":13.32,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"4 Packs","offer_id":47683215949986,"sku":"BLM-MLT-4P","price":26.64,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0733\/1423\/8626\/files\/milk-thistle-bloom-white-2048.jpg?v=1789910029","url":"https:\/\/bloomlygeeks.com\/products\/milk-thistle-bloom","provider":"BLOOMLY","version":"1.0","type":"link"}