Milk Thistle - Herbs for Dogs and Cats

Safe to use as a dietary supplement, alternative medicine
for most dogs and cats

In this article...

1. Milk Thistle
2. Health Benefits
3. Cautions
4. Side Effects
5. Drug Interactions
6. General Guideline for Daily Herbal Intake

1.0 Milk Thistle  

Also known by the name: Carduus marianus, Silybum mariamum, Silybum, Silybin, Silymarin, Silymarine, St. Mary’s Thistle, Marianus, Marianum, Our Lady’s Thistle, etc.

Milk thistle is an herbal plant that is thought to have originated in the Mediterranean regions – today it can be found growing wild in many places around the world including North America. I love to see the milk thistle in my meadows. Milk Thistle is much loved by butterflies.

Milk thistle has been used in traditional herbal medicine for thousands of years – its recorded use dates back to the 1^st century. Over the centuries milk thistle was used for many ailments including disorders of the liver, kidney, spleen.

Medicinal Properties in Milk Thistle

The healing properties of milk thistle come primarily from:

• The seed (the fruit) of the milk thistle that contains silymarin;
• Silymarin:
• Is a flavonol (antioxidant) that protects the liver from oxidation;
• Blocks hepatotixic substances from crossing cell membranes – acting to protect the liver from toxic substances;
• Stimulates cell regeneration. 
• Silymarin:
• Is stored in the liver where it contributes to regeneration and protection of the liver;
• Which also in-turn works to protect the immune system and metabolism. 

Milk Thistle can be used in various forms:

• Dry powder
• Liquid
• Tea - infusion
• Tincture
• Capsule

2.0 Health Benefits

A partial list...

• Allergies – seasonal (allergic rhinitis);
• Anti-inflammatory (liver, allergies);
• Appetite loss;
• Cancer – breast, cervical, prostate;
• Depression;
• Detoxification of the liver;
• Diseases of the spleen;
• Gallbladder problems;
• Heartburn;
• Improving liver function;
• Liver disorders;
• Cirrhosis of the liver;
• Chronic hepatitis (liver inflammation);
• Chronic inflammatory liver disease;
• Damage caused by chemicals;

3.0 Cautions…

If your dog or cat:

• Is pregnant or lactating do not use milk thistle;
• Is allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family (i.e. arnica, daises, marigolds, etc.).

4.0 Side Effects...

In some individuals may cause:

• Appetite loss;
• Bloating;
• Diarrhea;
• Indigestion;
• Intestinal gas;
• Nausea,

5.0 Drug Interactions…

• Anticoagulant, Antiplatelet drugs;
• Estrogen;
• Medications that are changed or broken down by the liver;

6.0 General Guideline...

Daily Herbal Intake Based on Dog’s or Cat’s Weight

Weight	Dry Powders	Teas	Capsules/Tablets	Tinctures
1-10 lbs	a small pinch up to 1/8 tsp	less than 1/4 cup, 1-3 times/day	1/2 capsule, 1-3 times/day	1-3 drops, 2-3 times/day
10-20 lbs	1 larger pinch - 1/8 to ¼ tsp	1/4 cup, 1-3 times/day	1/2-1 capsule/tablet, 1-3 times/day	3-5 drops, 2-3 times/day
20-50 lbs	2 pinches - 1 teaspoon	1/4-1/2 cup, 1-3 times/day	1-2 capsules/tablets, 2-3 times/day	5-10 drops, 2-3 times/day
50-100 lbs 10-	2 pinches - 2 teaspoons	1/2-1 cup, 1-3 times/day	1-2 capsules/tablets, 3-4 times/day	20 drops, 2-3 times/day
Over 100 lbs,	up to 1 tablespoon	up to 1 cup 3 times/day	adult human dose	adult human dose

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Article and graphics by Karen Rosenfeld