Artichoke in Herbalist: Property of the Artichoke

Scientific name

Cynara scolymus L., sin. Cynara cardunculus L.

Family

Asteraceae (Compositae)

Origin

Plant grown everywhere as a vegetable.

Used Parts

The drug consists of the leaves, present in the Official Pharmacopoeia .

Chemical constituents

Caffeylquinic compounds (cynarin);
Flavonoids (luteolin);
Tannins;
sterols;
polyacetylenes;
Sesquiterpene lactones (cinaropicrina);
Mineral salts;
Organic acids.

Artichoke in Herbalist: Property of the Artichoke

The artichoke is a plant endowed with numerous pharmacological properties; the main activities include antioxidant, hepatoprotective, choleretic, cholagogue and antilipidemic.

In the form of standardized extracts in flavonoids and caffeic acid derivatives, the artichoke is used as a choleretic, diuretic and lipid-lowering agent.

It also has a slightly laxative and purifying action.

Biological activity

The use of the artichoke has been officially approved to counteract the loss of appetite and to promote hepatobiliary functions.

In fact, this plant is endowed with colagogue, choleretic and hepatoprotective activity. More specifically, these properties are mainly ascribed to sesquiterpenes, hydroxycinnamic acid and flavonoids contained in the leaves of the plant.

The eupeptic and stomachic action exerted by the artichoke, on the other hand, is attributable both to sesquiterpenes and to caffeilchinici compounds. These molecules, therefore, are able to stimulate the appetite and increase the acid secretion of the stomach, thus also favoring the digestive processes.

The aforementioned properties have been confirmed by several clinical studies, but the activities that the artichoke is able to perform do not end there.

From other studies conducted on animals, in fact, it has emerged that the artichoke also has hypocholesterolemic properties, which seem to be exercised both through the inhibition of the synthesis of endogenous cholesterol in the liver, and through the promotion of the elimination of the same cholesterol through the bile .

In addition, the artichoke has diuretic properties, most probably due to the synergistic action exerted by the various compounds present inside the plant's leaves, such as flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, organic acids and salts.

Artichoke against inappetence

As mentioned, thanks to the stomachic and eupeptic properties conferred by the sesquiterpenes and the caffeilchin compounds contained therein, the artichoke can be used as a remedy to combat inappetence.

As an indication, it is recommended to take about 6 grams of drug per day.

However, various preparations based on artichoke are available on the market; therefore, the amount of product to be taken may vary depending on the active substances contained therein.

Artichoke to promote hepatobiliary function

The sesquiterpenes, flavonoids and hydroxycinnamic acid contained in the artichoke play a hepatoprotective role, in addition to possessing cholagogic and choleretic activities. For this reason, the plant is a very useful and widely used remedy to promote regular hepatobiliary functions.

As an indication, also in this case, we recommend taking about 6 grams of drug a day; or, the intake of 500 mg of dry extract per day.

Artichoke in folk medicine and homeopathy

In folk medicine the artichoke is used in the treatment of digestive disorders and as a remedy to prevent the recurrence of gallstones in patients who have already suffered from it. Moreover, traditional medicine uses this plant as a tonic remedy in the states of convalescence.

The artichoke is also used in homeopathic medicine, where it can be found in the form of granules, oral drops and mother tincture. In this context the artichoke is used in case of liver disorders, jaundice, liver cirrhosis, gastric disorders, flatulence, abdominal swelling and pain in the stomach.

The amount of homeopathic remedy to be taken can be different from individual to individual, also depending on the type of disorder that needs to be treated and according to the type of preparation and homeopathic dilution that is intended to be used.

Side effects

The artichoke - if used correctly and at the recommended doses - is normally well tolerated at the gastric and systemic level. However, sensitization reactions may occur in sensitive individuals following prolonged contact of the plant with the skin.

Contraindications

The use of artichoke should be avoided in case of hypersensitivity to one or more components, in patients with biliary obstruction and in patients with cholelithiasis.

Due to the generous presence of inulin, the use of artichoke should be avoided in case of abundant intestinal fermentation.

The use of the artichoke must also be avoided during lactation, due to the possible reductions in the milky flow rate.

Furthermore, we do not recommend taking artichoke even during pregnancy.