Does milk thistle cleanse the liver?

According to University of Maryland Medical Center, milk thistle can help remove toxins and clean the liver. It has been used for over 2,000 years in a medicinal purpose.

Milk thistle, or Silybum marianum, contains a compound called silymarin, the main cleansing agent. Silymarin, a group of flavonoids, is extracted from the milk thistle seeds. Silymarin is both an anti-inflammatory agent and an antioxidant. It helps the liver by making new cells. Milk thistle may also help protect the liver from damage from acetaminophen overuse. It is available in a variety of formats, such as dried herb capsules, a tincture and a liquid extract.