Silybum marianum (milk thistle) has a long-standing reputation in traditional European and Mediterranean medicine for supporting liver health and treating liver-related conditions, including jaundice. The primary active constituent, silymarin, is a complex of flavonolignans with demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties. Modern scientific research has explored these effects, particularly in the context of liver dysfunction resulting from toxins, alcohol, and certain diseases.

Several clinical trials and meta-analyses have examined silymarin's effects on various liver disorders. While animal and in vitro studies robustly support its hepatoprotective role, human evidence is more limited and mixed. Some controlled trials suggest silymarin may improve liver enzyme levels and symptoms in chronic liver diseases, but there is insufficient high-quality evidence specifically for the treatment of jaundice in adults. Most clinical studies have focused on hepatitis, cirrhosis, and toxin-induced liver injury rather than jaundice as a distinct symptom.

Guidelines from major health organizations do not endorse silymarin as a standard therapy for jaundice. Nonetheless, its historical and ongoing use as a supportive agent for general liver health persists, and its safety profile is considered favorable. In summary, the use of Silybum marianum for adult jaundice is partially supported by preclinical data and tradition, but direct scientific validation in this specific context remains modest.