milk thistle
noun
: a tall thistle (Silybum marianum) having white-veined dark green leaves and large purple flower heads that is native to the Mediterranean region but has become naturalized elsewhere including the U.S.
also : an extract of milk thistle and especially its seeds that is held to protect the liver from damage or disease
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Formulated with oily, acne-prone skin in mind, this features a cocktail of silymarin (milk thistle extract), l-ascorbic acid, ferulic and salicylic acid, to reduce oiliness, breakouts, and skin texture. 
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2022 Some of the ingredients include prickly pear extract for hydration, vitamin E for brightening and milk thistle extract to reduce the appearance of pores. Greg Emmanuel, Essence, 19 Aug. 2022 Plus, soothing milk thistle extract calms the skin to prevent irritation. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 10 Apr. 2022 The only difference in my lifestyle was the milk thistle. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 26 May 2021 The major ingredients are B-12 and other B vitamins, raisin tree extract, turmeric and milk thistle. Laura Reiley, Washington Post, 19 Dec. 2019 Instead, Lopez takes a handful of herbal supplements including aforementioned turmeric, milk thistle, burdock root, and neem leaf. Devon Abelman, Allure, 13 Dec. 2017 Alana Giarrano, an undergraduate, appeared with a box containing milk thistle, St. John’s wort, stinging nettle and a plant with a fuzzy pink shock of a flower, like a tiny mohawk, called dwarf coral, or celosia. Written By Annie Correal; Photographs By Karsten Moran, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2017 See More
Kiana Murden, Vogue, 15 Sep. 2022 Some of the ingredients include prickly pear extract for hydration, vitamin E for brightening and milk thistle extract to reduce the appearance of pores. Greg Emmanuel, Essence, 19 Aug. 2022 Plus, soothing milk thistle extract calms the skin to prevent irritation. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 10 Apr. 2022 The only difference in my lifestyle was the milk thistle. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 26 May 2021 The major ingredients are B-12 and other B vitamins, raisin tree extract, turmeric and milk thistle. Laura Reiley, Washington Post, 19 Dec. 2019 Instead, Lopez takes a handful of herbal supplements including aforementioned turmeric, milk thistle, burdock root, and neem leaf. Devon Abelman, Allure, 13 Dec. 2017 Alana Giarrano, an undergraduate, appeared with a box containing milk thistle, St. John’s wort, stinging nettle and a plant with a fuzzy pink shock of a flower, like a tiny mohawk, called dwarf coral, or celosia. Written By Annie Correal; Photographs By Karsten Moran, New York Times, 31 Oct. 2017 See More Word History
First Known Use
1562, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
milk thistle
noun
milk this·tle -ˈthis-əl 
1
: a tall thistle (Silybum marianum) that is the source of silymarin, has large clasping white-blotched leaves and large purple flower heads with bristly receptacles, and is native to southern Europe but has been widely introduced elsewhere including the United States
2
: an extract of milk thistle and especially its seeds : silymarin