What is the artichoke and what is it for?
The artichoke (Cynara scolymus) is a robust plantwith large rosette, segmented, bluish-green leaves. From the stem, about two palms long, grow one or two flower heads, artichokescovered with hard bracts. The flowers are blue and tubular.
It looks a lot like thistle (Cynara cardunculus)although its bracts are not thorny. The exquisite artichoke must have come from the rough and thorny thistles that are seen almost everywhere on degraded soils and roadsides, as an agricultural variant.
The tender and edible part is found inside the heads, but in phytotherapy the younger leaves are also used, especially for reduce cholesterolalthough it has many other indications. It is presented in fresh leaves for infusiontincture, liquid extractcapsules and tablets, in addition to artichokes in food.
The artichoke leaves they have a bitter component – cynarin–, other bitter ingredients such as cinaropricin, flavonoids, caffeic and chlorogenic acids, mineral salts –potassium and magnesium–, and vitamins C and B.
Medicinal properties of the artichoke and its plant
- Artichokes are not only a very valuable food for their contribution of vitamins and minerals, and their low fat content. In addition, numerous therapeutic effects are attributed to them. They are an excellent diureticvery useful to promote the emission of urine and relieve urinary disorders such as bladder and urethral infection, kidney stones, excess uric acid and urea or the edema.
- artichoke leaves help keep blood pressure at bay.
- Due to its bitter principles, the artichoke stimulates the secretion of gastric juices and whets the appetiteso it is recommended for weakened, inappetent and anorexic people.
- Cynarin, with a hepatoprotective effect, helps recover the filtering functions of the liver after poisoning or liver disorder – hepatitis, cirrhosis, jaundice, etc. –, it promotes the secretion of bile and prevents gallstones.
How to take artichoke infusion
Artichoke tea to eliminate fluids
You can prepare a diuretic infusion by combining artichoke with horsetail, birch, orthosiphon and mint.
How to prepare it: Boil 2 tablespoons of the mixture per half a liter of water for 2 minutes, let it rest for 10 and strain. It is drunk during the day, even when cold.
Infusion with artichoke and dandelion to reduce cholesterol
To reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, artichoke leaves are combined for infusion with hackberry leaves, paliure fruits and dandelion.
How to prepare it: Again, two tablespoons of the mixture per half a liter of water, boil for 1 minute, let it rest and strain. The infusion is drunk throughout the day, in small doses.
Artichoke and boldo infusion for the liver
To promote the elimination tasks of the liver, it can be combined in an infusion. artichoke with boldo, dandelion and fumaria.
How to prepare it: One tablespoon of the mixture in equal parts per glass of water. Boil it for one minute, let it rest for 10 and strain it. Two glasses are taken a day, after meals. To reduce the bitter taste of the remedy You can add star anise, mint or bitter orange peel.
Precautions during breastfeeding
It is preferable not to take artichoke during breastfeeding, to Avoid transferring its bitter principles to breast milk.
Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist from “El Manantial de Salud”.