Common Names
Artichoke, Globe
Botanical Name
Cynara scolymus
Family
Asteraceae
Medicinal Uses
Cardiovascular, Cholesterol, Digestion, IBS, Kidney, Liver, Nutrition.
Properties
Bitter, Cordial, Digestive, Diuretic, Hepatic.
Parts Used
Flower heads as vegetable, dried leaves medicinal
Constituents
A bitter principle (cynarin and sesquiterpene lactones), flavonoids including scolymoside, inulin, cynaropictin and several enzymes, taraxasterol, sugars, and a volatile oil.
Habitat
It grows best in moist, sandy environments with full exposure to the sun. Artichoke was actually thought to have been brought over from Europe. It is now cultivated all over the world including the Mediterranean, France, Italy, and Spain.
Side Effects
Don't use artichoke leaf if you have gallstones, safety data for pregnant or nursing women has not been established.
How to Prepare
Powdered herb, teas, capsules and extracts
