Silybum marianum is traditionally used in European medicine mainly for the treatment of liver disorders. It is commonly called milk thistle or Scotch thistle, native to Europe and found throughout the world. Numerous pharmacological and clinical studies confirmed that it has hepatoprotective properties. It is still one of the most commonly used medicinal plants, commercially available as health supplements and herbal teas. The seeds and leaves are mainly used for herbal tea. 

The main active compounds of milk thistle extract are flavolignans, which is also called silymarin. Silymarin is a mixture of silybin, silychristin, isosilybin, and silydianin. Silymarin is an important free radical scavenger. Studies revealed that silymarin has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and UVB protective activities. It was also reported that silymarin has protective effect against burn-induced oxidative skin injury.