What Is Milk Thistle Extract?
Milk thistle extract is mainly extracted from the fruit part of milk thistle, and its main active ingredient is Silymarin. Simonin is composed of three flavonoids, including silymarin (silibinin), silymarin isomers (isosilibinin), and silymarin double isomers (silychristin).
Milk thistle extract is usually in the form of a fine powder with a soft texture, easily soluble in water or other solvents, and a light to dark brown color. It is widely used for liver health and the treatment of various liver-related problems.
In modern nutrition and pharmaceutical science, milk thistle extract is best known for its liver-protective, antioxidant, and detoxification-supporting properties. Its popularity has grown significantly in dietary supplements, functional foods, herbal medicines, and even clinical settings, particularly for people exposed to environmental toxins, alcohol, medications, or metabolic stress.
What Is Silymarin?
The key bioactive complex in milk thistle extract is silymarin, a group of flavonolignans responsible for most of its biological activity. Today, standardised milk thistle extracts containing defined levels of silymarin are used globally in capsules, tablets, powders, liquids, and combination formulas. Some, but not all, milk thistle supplements are vegan.
Derived from the seeds of the Silybum marianum plant, our Milk Thistle Extract Powder is a high-potency, natural ingredient standardised to contain 80% Silymarin-a complex of flavonolignans including silybin, silychristin, and silydianin.
This light yellow to brownish-yellow fine powder is produced using advanced solvent extraction or supercritical CO₂ technology, ensuring maximum preservation of bioactive compounds.
Recognised for over 2,000 years in traditional medicine, it offers powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protecting properties. Ideal for dietary supplements, functional foods, cosmetics, and animal nutrition, our non-GMO, solvent-residual-free extract is compliant with ISO, FDA, HALAL, and Kosher standards, supported by comprehensive third-party testing.
Milk Thistle Extract Specification
| Product Name | Milk Thistle Extract Powder |
| Extraction Part | Seed |
| CAS No. | 53-84-9 |
| Specification | Silymarin: HPLC30%~60%, Silymarin: UV80%, Silybin: HPLC80%~95% |
| Appearance | Yellow-brown fine powder |
| Test Method | UV/HPLC |
| COA | Avaialble |
| Certificate | ISO22000, FDA, BRC, COSMOS, IFS, SGS, Kosher, Halal, Organic(EU), USDA, HACCP, ISO9001 |
| Quality | Non-GMO, Non-irradiation, Allergen Free, BSE/TSE Free |
| Sample | 10-50g Sample For free |
| MOQ | 1kg |
| OEM Service | Private label and Customized package, OEM customised capsules and tablets. |
| Packaging | 1-5kg/25kg(aluminum foil bag/carton/cardboard drum) |
| Shelf life | 2 year.Available for bulk wholesale, individually packaged. |
| Note: Raw Material for production, not for personal sale. | |
Health Benefits of Milk Thistle Extract
- Hepatoprotective Effects
Milk thistle extract protects liver cells from damage caused by alcohol, toxins, medications, and environmental chemicals by stabilizing cell membranes, preventing toxin penetration, and promoting cellular regeneration.
- Support for Liver Regeneration
Silymatin stimulates protein synthesis in liver cells, accelerating regeneration of damaged hepatocytes—particularly beneficial for chronic liver stress conditions.
- Antioxidant Activity
As a potent antioxidant, silymarin neutralizes free radicals and boosts intracellular glutathione levels, reducing oxidative stress in the liver and other tissues while supporting natural detoxification.