I would like to tell you about a wonderful herb and a must for every pet
owner's natural medicine chest. Milk thistle, known in Latin as Silybum marianum,
is one of the most effective herbs for detoxifying and regenerating the liver. I
have used this herb in virtually any type of liver problem. It has saved many
pets from what appeared to be a fatal condition. The liver is responsible for
breaking down and eliminating most toxic substances. These include drugs,
preservatives in food, artificial flavoring and coloring agents, flea sprays,
dips and shampoos, environmental chemicals, chemicals found in tap water,
household cleansers, air pollution, tobacco smoke and poisonous plants. Hundreds
of scientific studies have demonstrated that milk thistle can protect the liver
from potent toxins such as poisonous mushrooms, heavy metals and alcohol.
How does it work? When the constituents of milk thistle are absorbed, they
selectively accumulate in the liver. The herb has several mechanisms of action.
1) It stimulates protein synthesis, which contributes to re-generation and
replacement of liver cells. 2) It helps protect the liver against poisoning by
blocking the absorption of toxins into liver cells. 3) It inhibits the formation
of inflammatory substances that contribute to liver degeneration. 4) It helps
the liver break down toxins. 5) Milk thistle is a potent anti-oxidant (more
potent than Vitamins C and E). This means it can counteract free radical damage
that can cause degenerative diseases including cancer. 6) It increases
intracellular levels of glutathione, a substance necessary for detoxicating
reactions. Milk thistle has a long history of use and no significant toxicity
has been seen.
Clinical studies in humans have confirmed milk thistle's benefits. Trials in
more than 2,000 patients showed benefits in alcohol and chemical induced fatty
liver, cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis, bile duct inflammation and non specific
changes in liver tissue. Elevated liver enzymes (blood tests for liver function)
also improve with milk thistle therapy. Silymarin may also help prevent or treat
gallstones by increasing the solubility of the bile. The best-known active
compound in milk thistle is silybin. It is important to remember that there are
many other naturally occurring ingredients that are vital for optimum activity.
Therefore, use the whole herb or a high quality extract.
Many drugs used today have significant liver toxicity. If your pet has been
medicated with antibiotics, cortisone, chemotherapy, anti-seizure medications,
heartworm preventive/treatment, anti-inflammatory, etc. or has had other liver
problems, you should consider a course of milk thistle. Of course, it is also
important to reduce your pet's exposure to liver toxic substances. Most drugs
can be eliminated under the supervision of a holistic veterinarian through the
use of natural alternatives. Toxic additives in the food and water can be
reduced significantly by feeding balanced, home-prepared foods and purified
water. A low toxicity flea control program can be instituted until the pet is
healthy enough to no longer require it. (That's right, healthy pets don't have
significant flea problems.) For household cleaning, vinegar and hydrogen
peroxide are two safe alternatives.
When shopping for milk thistle, I prefer a standardized (70 or 80% silybin)
product. A typical adult human dose is 100 - 150 mg. of silybin, which is
approximately 200 mg. dry herb three times daily, or the equivalent in a liquid.
For pets, simply use their body weight as a percentage of the human dose. For
example, a 30-pound dog would get 30% of a human dose and a 10-pound cat would
get 10%. Most products purchased at health food stores have the recommended
human dose on the label. Give it for 2-3 months. Medicinal herbs should not be
used continuously for extended periods. I suggest 5 days on then 2 days off for
6 weeks. Skip 1 week and begin again. It could be used one week each month as a
little extra protection in otherwise healthy pets.
Russell Swift is a 1985 graduate of the University of Florida
College of Veterinary Medicine. He has completed the Homeopathic Master
Clinician program and currently has a holistic house call veterinarian practice
in the South Florida area. He is also a consultant for several companies in the
development of new nutritional supplements for pets. Dr. Russell Swift can be
reached at 954-720-1624.
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