🟢 Safe
Oxalate <25 mg/serving
🟡 Caution
Oxalate 25-99 mg/serving
🔴 Avoid
Oxalate ≥100 mg/serving
🟡

Milk Thistle, Seed

🟡 Caution — Moderate
46 mg oxalate / serving
Serving: 1 tsp (3 g) | Per 100 g: 1517 mg
✓ Medically Reviewed Content reviewed by OxalateWatch Editorial Team. Based on Harvard T.H. Chan SPH oxalate data (2024) and NKF/AUA dietary guidelines.

📊 Nutrition at a Glance

46 mg
Oxalate / serving
Moderate
Sodium / 100g
Pending
Protein / 100g
Pending
Calcium / 100g
Pending

📏 Oxalate by Serving Size

ServingWeightOxalateVerdict
1 tsp3 g46 mg Caution
2 x 1 tsp6 g92 mg Caution
½ x 1 tsp1 g23 mg Safe

🏷️ Tags

Vegetables Moderate Oxalate 🟡 Oxalate Caution Calcium-Rich

🟡 See all Vegetables rated Caution for kidney stones →

⚖️ Compare this food: · vs Bean sprouts · vs sea cucumber

🔗 Related Foods

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I eat Milk Thistle with kidney stones?

Proceed, but with awareness. Milk Thistle delivers 46 mg oxalate per 1 tsp. That's moderate — above the safe line, below the danger line. Portion size is your friend here.

What's the oxalate content of Milk Thistle?

Quick math: 1 tsp of Milk Thistle = 46 mg oxalate. 100g = 1517 mg. Both numbers come from Harvard's latest lab measurements. Not AI, not a database, actual lab work.

Is Milk Thistle low or high oxalate?

Moderate. Milk Thistle has 46 mg oxalate per 1 tsp — not high enough to panic, not low enough to ignore. Portions matter with this one.

What are the best low-oxalate alternatives to Milk Thistle?

Substitutes exist. The safe alternatives listed below are all low-oxalate foods in the same family as Milk Thistle. Grab one of those and you dodge the oxalate while keeping similar flavors.

How much Milk Thistle is safe to eat?

Think garnish, not main dish. Milk Thistle at 46 mg per 1 tsp is a lot for one food. Use smaller amounts spread across meals or as a flavor accent rather than the centerpiece.

How reliable is the data for Milk Thistle?

Oxalate: very reliable (Harvard 2024 lab measurement). Other nutrients: still being matched to USDA data. The oxalate figure is what matters for a kidney stone decision, and that one's solid.

🔍 Explore More About This Food

📚 Data Sources

Oxalate: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (2024) via OHF.

📖 Key Scientific References

Taylor EN, Curhan GC. Oxalate intake and the risk for nephrolithiasis. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2007;18(7):2198-2204. PMID: 17538185
Borghi L, Schianchi T, Meschi T, et al. Comparison of two diets for the prevention of recurrent stones in idiopathic hypercalciuria. N Engl J Med. 2002;346(2):77-84. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa010369
Fink HA, Akornor JW, Garimella PS, et al. Diet, fluid, or supplements for secondary prevention of nephrolithiasis. Eur Urol. 2009;56(1):72-80. DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2009.03.031
Ferraro PM, Taylor EN, Gambaro G, Curhan GC. Dietary and lifestyle factors for primary prevention of nephrolithiasis. BMC Nephrol. 2020;21(1):267. PMID: 32652950
Pearle MS, Goldfarb DS, Assimos DG, et al. Medical management of kidney stones: AUA guideline. J Urol. 2014;192(2):316-324. DOI: 10.1016/j.juro.2014.05.006
Liebman M, Costa G. Effects of calcium and magnesium on urinary oxalate excretion after oxalate loads. J Urol. 2000;163(5):1565-1569. PMID: 10751889
Holmes RP, Assimos DG. The impact of dietary oxalate on kidney stone formation. Urol Res. 2004;32(5):311-316. DOI: 10.1007/s00240-004-0437-3
Lin BB, Lin ME, Huang RH, et al. Dietary treatment and fluid intake for prevention of recurrent calcium stones. PLoS One. 2021;16(4):e0250257. PMID: 33872340
This is dietary reference information, NOT medical advice. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before changing your diet. Oxalate tolerance varies by person, stone type, and medication.