Milk Thistle Tea: Recipe, Detox Claims and Side Effects

Milk thistle tea is an infusion of milk thistle seeds and water that takes 2 hours 5 minutes to prepare and yields about 1 cup (240 mL). For another infusion idea, try the ai detox recipe generator. This herbal detox tea is made with seeds rather than a concentrated supplement.

What is milk thistle tea?

Milk thistle tea is a drink made by infusing milk thistle seeds in water. Milk thistle seeds contain a group of compounds known as silymarin, but the amount that ends up in a homemade infusion is uncertain.

The recipe below is a refrigerated infusion, so it is served cold. It is not equivalent to a standardized milk thistle extract: the preparation, concentration and amount consumed can differ. Use seeds sold for food or tea rather than seeds intended for planting.

How do you make milk thistle tea?

This recipe makes one small serving. Allow about 5 minutes for preparation and straining, plus 2 hours for refrigerated steeping.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon (about 2 g; 1/48 cup) food-grade dried milk thistle seeds
• 1 cup (240 mL) cold drinking water

Instructions

1. Measure the milk thistle seeds and water.
2. Crush the seeds lightly with a clean spoon or mortar to break their outer surfaces.
3. Add the crushed seeds and water to a clean, covered jar.
4. Refrigerate the jar for 2 hours to steep.
5. Strain the infusion into a clean cup and discard the seeds.

Keep the prepared milk thistle tea refrigerated and drink it within 24 hours for best flavor. Discard it sooner if it becomes unexpectedly cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling; do not leave it at room temperature for more than a few hours.

What does milk thistle tea do for detox?

Milk thistle tea supplies water, which helps you stay hydrated. Your liver and kidneys do most of your body's detoxification, while your lungs and gut help eliminate waste; sweat removes only trace amounts.

There is no good evidence that homemade milk thistle tea removes toxins or treats liver disease. Research on concentrated milk thistle extracts cannot establish the effects or dose of a seed infusion. Learn more about milk thistle tea benefits and the evidence behind whether milk thistle tea is good for your liver.

How much milk thistle tea should you drink, and when?

There is no established effective dose or proven best time to drink homemade milk thistle tea. The recipe makes about 1 cup, but that serving is a recipe yield, not a medically recommended daily amount. The strength of an infusion can vary with the seeds and preparation.

If you choose to try it, start with a small serving and stop if it causes discomfort. Consider the separate questions of how much milk thistle tea per day and whether you can drink milk thistle tea every day. You can also read about the best time to drink milk thistle tea; no particular time has been shown to improve detoxification.

What are the side effects of milk thistle tea?

Milk thistle may cause digestive discomfort, such as nausea, bloating or diarrhea. Allergic reactions are also possible, particularly in people allergic to plants in the daisy family, such as ragweed or chrysanthemums. See more about milk thistle tea side effects.

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have diabetes, or take medication, ask a healthcare professional before using milk thistle; its safety and potential interactions are not well established. Ask a child's healthcare professional before giving it to a child, too.

Seek prompt medical care for yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine or persistent abdominal pain. Get emergency help for trouble breathing or swelling of the mouth or throat.

Milk thistle tea FAQs

Can you use a tea bag instead of loose seeds?

Yes. Follow the package directions, since a tea bag may contain different ingredients or call for a different steeping time than this recipe.

Can you use ground milk thistle seeds?

Use ground seeds only if they are sold for food or tea. Fine powder may pass through a strainer, and a ground-seed product is not necessarily interchangeable with a concentrated supplement.

<script type="application/ld+json"> {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"Recipe","name":"Milk Thistle Tea","description":"A refrigerated infusion of food-grade milk thistle seeds and water.","prepTime":"PT5M","cookTime":"PT0M","totalTime":"PT2H5M","recipeYield":"About 1 cup (240 mL)","recipeIngredient":["1 teaspoon (about 2 g; 1/48 cup) food-grade dried milk thistle seeds","1 cup (240 mL) cold drinking water"],"recipeInstructions":[{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"Measure the milk thistle seeds and water."},{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"Crush the seeds lightly with a clean spoon or mortar."},{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"Add the crushed seeds and water to a clean, covered jar."},{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"Refrigerate for 2 hours to steep."},{"@type":"HowToStep","text":"Strain into a clean cup and discard the seeds."}]} </script>