Artichoke is a Mediterranean flower bud known for both its culinary delight and medicinal power 🌍🍽️. Revered since ancient times, it belongs to the thistle family (Asteraceae) and offers a rich source of nutrients, antioxidants, and liver-supportive compounds. While many love the artichoke heart, the leaves contain most of the powerful health benefits 💚✨.
Artichokes are large, edible flower buds with silvery-green leaves and pink blooms. The edible parts include the fleshy base (heart) and lower portions of the triangular scales (bracts). The center “choke” is inedible in mature buds.
🌾 6g Fiber (21% of daily needs)
🍊 20% Vitamin C
🦴 6% Calcium, 8% Iron
All in just 60 calories! 🎯
Artichokes thrive in rich garden soil. After transplanting with at least five true leaves, space them 60–90 cm apart. These plants bloom in the first year and improve over time, producing larger, more nutrient-rich buds.
Helps lower LDL & total cholesterol levels 🩺
High in cynarin, it stimulates bile flow, aiding fat digestion and vitamin absorption 🧈
Contains silymarin, a potent antioxidant that helps maintain optimal liver function 🧬
Rich in antioxidants like rutin, quercetin, and gallic acid—known to induce cancer cell death and prevent proliferation ⚔️
Reduces harmful free radicals and supports cellular health 💥🧘♀️
Standardized leaf extract: 300–640 mg, 3× daily (minimum 6 weeks)
Dried leaves: 1–4 grams, 3× daily
✔️ Always take with meals and consult a healthcare provider for long-term use.
✅ Safe as food; possibly safe as a supplement up to 23 months
🚫 Avoid if you have bile duct obstruction or gallstones
🌼 May trigger allergies in people sensitive to ragweed, daisies, marigolds
🤰 Pregnant or breastfeeding? Stick to food quantities
💊 No known interactions, but always consult your doctor
Research
studies / References:
1. Available at: http://www.oceanmist.com/health/antioxidant.aspx.
Accessed June 20, 2011.
2.Available at:http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-06/aas-lus061504.php.
Accessed June 21, 2011.
3. Grotto D. 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life. New York: Bantam
Bell; 2008.
4. Heckers H, Dittmar K, Schmahl FW, Huth K. Inefficiency of cynarin
as therapeutic regimen in familial type II hyperlipoproteinaemia.
Atherosclerosis. 1977 Feb;26(2):249-53.
5. Bundy R, Walker AF, Middleton RW, Wallis C, Simpson HC. Artichoke
leaf extract (Cynara scolymus) reduces plasma cholesterol in otherwise healthy
hypercholesterolemic adults: a randomized, double blind placebo controlled
trial. Phytomedicine. 2008 Sep;15(9):668-75.
6. Englisch W, Beckers C, Unkauf M, Ruepp M, Zinserling V. Efficacy of
Artichoke dry extract in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia.
Arzneimittelforschung. 2000 Mar;50(3):260-5.
7. Bundy R, Walker AF, Middleton RW, Marakis G, Booth JC. Artichoke
leaf extract reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and improves quality
of life in otherwise healthy volunteers suffering from concomitant dyspepsia. J
Alter Complement Med. 2004 Aug;10(4):667-9.
8. Available at:
http://www.foodforyourhealing.com/foods-for-liver-health/. Accessed June 19,
2011.
9. Nadova S, Miadokova E, Mucaji P, Grancai D, Cipak L. Growth
inhibitory effect of ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of Cynara cardunculus L. in
leukemia cells involves cell areest, cytochrome c release and activiation of
caspases. Phytother Res. 2008 Feb;22(2):165-8.
10.http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/6014908/four_must_eat_foods_to_fight_cancer.html?cat=5.
Accessed June 19, 2011.
