Milk Thistle for Birds

Milk thistle is a thistle of the family Silybum Adans.; it is native to regions of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. It is used as an herbal remedy, particularly for liver problems, and may be effective in treating captive birds.

  1. Liver Disease in Captive Birds

    • Captive parrots (psittacines) commonly develop liver disease, particularly hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver disease). Obesity in a bird increases its chances of developing this disease.

    Milk Thistle Benefits

    • There are many anecdotal accounts from bird owners who notice that their birds’ health has improved dramatically with the introduction of milk thistle into their diets. Milk thistle is also used to help prevent recurrence of liver disease.

    Uses &Dosages of Milk Thistle

    • The seeds, the root and the rest of the milk thistle plant can all be used in the treatment of liver disease, but the seeds are especially helpful for birds as they will readily eat them. Treating fatty liver disease also involves diet alteration and reduction in weight in the affected bird. Suggested doses for silymarin range from 50 to 250 mg/day (100 to 150 mg/kg every 8 to 12 hours in birds) depending on the purity and potency of the milk thistle product. Other sources suggest 10 seeds per 100 g body weight.

    How It Works

    • The active component of milk thistle is thought to be silymarin, a flavonoid found in the seeds. Silymarin stabilizes the outer liver cell membranes by altering their structure, thereby preventing the penetration of liver toxins into the interior of the cell.

    Combine with Traditional Care

    • While studies show that silymarin has some therapeutic effects, clinical practitioners conclude that this remedy is best used in addition to traditional supportive care in the treatments of liver and gall bladder disease in humans and in pet animals.