* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description: Globe artichoke is a robust perennial herb of up to 2 m in height with sturdy flowering stems arising each year. The large, compound leaves are silvery-grey in colour and the conspicuous flower heads have green bracts and purple florets.
Origin: Europe (thought to be an old cultigen); now widely cultivated.
Parts Used: Fresh or dried leaves (Cynarae folium).
Uses and Properties: Artichoke leaves and extracts thereof are mainly used for dyspeptic problems. It is known to increase the flow of bile and to detoxify and protect the liver. Observations and human studies have shown that the herb lowers triglyceride and cholesterol levels.
Active Ingredients: Artichoke leaves contain numerous phenolic acids, including caffeic acid, monocaffeoylquinic acid derivatives (such as chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acid) and dicaffeoylquinic acid derivatives such as cynarin (1,5-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid). They also contain a bitter sesquiterpene lactone (up to 4%), cynaropicrin. In addition, various flavonoids (rutin, luteolin) and sesquiterpenes (especially caryophyllene and beta-selinene) are present.
Pharmacological Effects: Hepatoprotective properties were demonstrated in isolated liver cells. The choleretic and hepatoprotective properties are attributed to cynarin, to chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acid. Cynarin is thought to be responsible for lowering the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in blood. Clinical studies have shown definite choleretic and lipid lowering effects of leaf extracts (it could therefore play a role in the treatment of arteriosclerosis). Cyanopicrin, as bitter substance and tonic, may be involved in the improvement of appetite and digestion.
Notes: The involucre bracts and receptacle of the young flower heads are eaten as a popular vegetable. It is interesting to note that the bitter substance cyanopicrin is found in the leaves and not in the fully mature flower heads.
Status: Traditional medicine; Pharm.; Comm. E+ (dyspeptic problems only).
Preparation and Dosage: A daily dose of 6 g dose of the drug (or an equivalent dose in preparations) is recommended.
User Group Forum
Share your questions and information with the ZooScape community!
Be the first to post!
Directions
Stir 1/4 of a teaspoon into a glass of water and consume 3 times daily, with meals.
Cautions
At the recommended amount and according to the German Commission E Monographs, there are no known side effects or drug interactions.
However, they also state that the use of artichoke is contraindicated in those who are allergic to artichokes and other members of the Compositae (e.g., daisy) family.
In addition, those who have any obstruction of the bile duct (e.g., as a result of gallstones) should not employ this plant therapeutically. There have been reports of kidney failure and/or toxicity from the use of artichoke leaves.
The plant's safety during pregnancy and lactation has not been established.
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions with artichoke.
Additional Information
The TerraVita Premium Collection uses only the finest, purest and most potent plant extracts from around the world.
The TerraVita Premium Collection is hallmarked by the highest possible standards of purity, potency, stability and freshness. Our highest possible standards are certified by independent laboratories and backed by our personal guarantee.
The TerraVita Premium Collection is packed in child-proof, tamper-proof pharmaceutical-grade recyclable containers.
ZooScape is proud to be the exclusive distributor of TerraVita teas, herbs and supplements in the United States, Canada and around the world. Please direct all wholesale and bulk inquiries to Simona Heather at 905-494-1785.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
