Milk Thistle

St Mary’s Thistle – Milk Thistle for Horses

Traditional herbal supplement providing natural antioxidant and nutritional support for normal liver function in horses.

St Mary’s Thistle (Silybum marianum, also known as Carduus marianus), commonly known as Milk Thistle, is a well-known herb traditionally used to support liver health and normal liver function.

The seeds naturally contain a group of antioxidant plant compounds collectively known as silymarin, which are responsible for much of Milk Thistle's interest as a nutritional and herbal liver-support supplement.

St Mary’s Thistle can be incorporated into the diet as part of a longer-term nutritional program for horses requiring additional antioxidant and liver support.

Natural Source of Silymarin

The seeds of St Mary’s Thistle naturally contain silymarin, a group of bioactive flavonolignan compounds with antioxidant properties.

Silymarin has been widely investigated for its relationship with liver function, including its potential role in supporting normal cellular antioxidant defences and liver cell membrane integrity.

Liver Support

The liver is central to many essential functions within the horse's body, including:

• Nutrient metabolism
• Processing metabolic waste products
• Metabolism of medications and other compounds
• Bile production
• Energy metabolism
• Storage and processing of nutrients

St Mary’s Thistle is traditionally used as a liver-supporting herb and may be incorporated into a balanced diet where additional nutritional support for normal hepatic function is desired.

Antioxidant Support

Normal metabolism generates free radicals, which are controlled by the body's antioxidant defence systems.

The naturally occurring silymarin compounds found in Milk Thistle provide antioxidant activity, helping support normal cellular protection against oxidative stress.

Traditionally Used to Support Bile Flow

St Mary’s Thistle has traditionally been described as a cholagogue, meaning it has been used in herbal practice to support normal bile production and flow.

Bile plays an important role in normal digestion and the processing of dietary fats.

Long-Term Herbal Support

Milk Thistle is commonly used as a longer-term nutritional supplement rather than as a short-term feed additive.

Traditional feeding programs may continue supplementation for approximately 4–12 weeks or longer, depending on the individual horse and the reason for supplementation.

For horses with diagnosed liver disease or abnormal liver blood results, the appropriate duration and amount should be discussed with a veterinarian.

Feeding St Mary’s Thistle Seeds

St Mary’s Thistle seeds may be fed:

• Whole, or
• Ground or crushed to assist their incorporation into the feed and digestion

Feed according to the product's recommended feeding rate.

Key Benefits

• Traditional herbal support for normal liver function
• Naturally contains silymarin
• Provides plant-based antioxidant compounds
• Supports normal cellular antioxidant defences
• Traditionally used as a liver tonic
• Traditionally used to support normal bile flow
• Suitable for incorporation into longer-term nutritional programs
• Seeds may be fed whole or ground

Ideal For

St Mary’s Thistle may be considered as nutritional support for:

• Horses requiring additional liver support
• Horses exposed to increased dietary or environmental challenges
• Older horses
• Horses receiving longer-term nutritional management
• Horses requiring additional antioxidant support
• General maintenance of normal liver health

Supporting Liver Health Naturally

St Mary’s Thistle is a traditional herbal supplement naturally rich in silymarin, providing antioxidant and nutritional support for the horse's normal liver function and cellular health.

Milk Thistle should not be used as a substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment of liver disease, poisoning or adverse drug reactions. Horses showing jaundice, photosensitivity, neurological changes, unexplained weight loss, reduced appetite or abnormal liver blood results require veterinary assessment.

If liver damage from toxic plants, chemicals, medications, infection or another disease is suspected, seek veterinary advice promptly rather than relying on herbal supplementation alone.