Milk Thistle
Backed by Dr. Lisa Fiorenza
BENEFITS
Milk thistle has documented use since the 16th and 17th centuries as the primary herb used to address issues with the liver. Modern usage includes most things liver: hepatitis, fatty liver disease, liver fibrosis (scarring), and to prevent and treat damage to the liver from toxins or pharmaceutical drugs. It has also been used to help protect the pancreas from damage due to pancreatitis, and research indicates that it can also be used as an adjunctive therapeutic for the treatment of Giardia.
It is useful in patients undergoing cancer treatment as it is both anti-cancer itself, and can protect the body from some of the side effects of chemotherapy drugs and the toxins released when tumor cells die. It is also supportive of the kidneys and nervous system. It can enhance the effects of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), improving nerve cell regeneration, which may be beneficial for patients who have received the arthritis injection Librela. Due to its actions on the liver and kidney, it is very supportive of the body’s detox pathways. It also helps to lower blood sugar, fats, and cholesterol.
Serving Size
XS dogs
(< 10 lbs)
¹⁄₁₆-⅛ tsp dried herb*
S dogs
(10 - 20 lbs)
⅛-¼ tsp dried herb*
M dogs
(21 - 50 lbs)
¼-½ tsp dried herb*
L dogs
(51 - 90 lbs)
½-1 tsp dried herb*
XL dogs
(> 90 lbs)
1-2 tsp dried herb*
*Divide the total above serving size into 2-3 servings per day.
FREQUENCY
Milk thistle needs to be given for at least 8 weeks before results can be seen in bloodwork when used for elevated liver values.
HOW TO SERVE
- Ideally, give milk thistle as a standardized solid extract or an alcohol or glycerin tincture.
- The doses above are for dried herbs.
- For dry standardized extract, choose 70% Silymarin, such as in Standard Process’ Milk Thistle Forte
- XS dog (< 10 lbs): 25mg dry standardized extract per day*
- S dog (10-20 lbs): 70mg dry standardized extract per day*
- M dog (21-50 lbs): 250mg dry standardized extract per day*
- L dog (51-90 lbs): 350mg dry standardized extract per day*
- XL dog (> 90 lbs): 500mg dry standardized extract per day*
- Divide the total above serving size into 2–3 servings per day.
- Mix into a yummy treat for ease of dosing.
IMPORTANT
Allergic reactions and GI distress are possible and if any such symptoms occur, discontinue use.
Dogs with allergies to plants in the daisy family should not be given milk thistle.
arrow_rightReferences
Chon SK, Kim NS. Evaluation of silymarin in the treatment on asymptomatic Giardia infections in dogs. Parasitol Res 2005;97:445-451
Wynn, Susan G., Fougere, Barbara J. Veterinary Herbal Medicine. Missouri: Mosby, 2007: 599-603
Kittur, S., Wilasrusmee, S., Pedersen, W.A. et al. Neurotrophic and neuroprotective effects of milk thistle (Silybum marianum) on neurons in culture. J Mol Neurosci 18, 265–269 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1385/JMN:18:3:265
Abenavoli L, Izzo AA, Milić N, Cicala C, Santini A, Capasso R. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum): A concise overview on its chemistry, pharmacological, and nutraceutical uses in liver diseases. Phytother Res. 2018 Nov;32(11):2202-2213. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6171. Epub 2018 Aug 6. PMID: 30080294.
Tedesco DEA, Guerrini A. Use of Milk Thistle in Farm and Companion Animals: A Review. Planta Med. 2023 May;89(6):584-607. doi: 10.1055/a-1969-2440. Epub 2022 Oct 27. PMID: 36302565; PMCID: PMC11961297.