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Artichoke (globe artichoke)
Cynara scolymus
This page contains information on artichoke and how it is used as a herb in alternative herbal treatments, to treat ailments and problems such as detoxifying the body, assisting in chronic liver toxicity, jaundice, hepatitis and diabetes.
On this page
Please note that we are not advocating that people stop using their normal medication, but would like to make people aware that some alternative therapies can be very effective to help treat problems and create a healthier, younger and more vital you. For more information on our range of products, please click here.
Although we believe in the therapeutic and healing properties of herbs, care must be taken in the use thereof, as they are powerful compounds.
Family |
Asteraceae |
Genus and specie |
Cynara scolymus |
Globe artichoke.
The leaves of the globe artichoke are long and spiny and the branched stem can reach up to 1 m (3 ft) tall, which bears heads of violet-colored (sometimes white), thistle-like flowers at the ends of the branches.
The fresh and dried leaves are used, while the flower heads are used in cooking.
It must be noted that the bitter substance cyanopicrin is found in the leaves, but not in the mature flower heads.
This herb is often used as a vegetable and has diuretic properties, while increasing blood circulation, regenerating liver tissue and stimulating the gall bladder. Artichoke is said to reduce blood lipids, serum cholesterol, and blood sugar.
It contains numerous phenolic acids such as caffeic acid, monocaffeoylquinic acid derivatives (chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acid), dicaffeoylquinic acid derivatives (cynarin) as well as bitter sesquiterpene lactone, cynaropicrin, flavonoids (rutin and luteolin) and sesquiterpenes (caryophyllene and b-selinene).
- Internal use
- Artichoke helps to
- increase circulation
- stimulates the secretion of bile (cholagogue)
- help treat hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis)
- fight liver damage from alcohol abuse
- treating jaundice and hepatitis
- lowers cholesterol levels
- remove excess water with its diuretic actions
- Artichoke has a determinable hepatoprotective effect which is attributed to the cynarin, chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acid found in the herb.
- The cynarin is also involved in lowering the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood.
- The ingredient cyanopicrin on the other hand is a bitter and general tonic and is also involved in improving the appetite and helping with digestion.
- Eating artichoke as a vegetable has value in reducing the symptoms of a hiatus hernia.
- Italians prepare the unopened flower heads as a vegetable, with parsley, breadcrumbs, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil - steamed first and then baked.
- External use
- Aromatherapy and essential oil use
None noted.
To promote the interest and use of herbs and natural complementary health alternatives, we have included information on the following herbs.
Please note - although we discuss a wide variety of herbs, not all of them are used or sold by us.
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