Milk thistle, scientifically named Silybum marianum has been used in traditional herbal medicine since the first century. Milk thistle has been a long standing staple with the herbalist & is extremely popular in Europe where it is used in liver tonics. Milk thistle nutritionally supports the liver's ability to maintain normal liver function. It has shown positive effects in treating nearly every known form of liver disease, including cirrhosis, hepatitis, necroses, and liver damage due to drug and alcohol abuse. Milk thistle works due to its ability to inhibit the factors responsible for liver damage, coupled with the fact it stimulates production of new liver cells to replace old damaged ones. Milk thistle is also an extremely powerful antioxidant that protects the cells of the liver from free radical damage. It is also involved in helping the liver to make new healthy cell. Milk thistle is also used in the prevention and treatment of gallstones.