Artichoke (Cynara scolymus)

Family: ASTERACEAE
Species: scolymus
Common Names: alcachofra, alcachofera, artichaut, tyosen-azami, artichoke
Parts Used: dried whole or cut basal leaves and the dried fresh herb from the artichoke
Medicinal Properties: cholagogue, choleretic, choliokinetic, depurative, detoxifier, diuretic, hepatoprotective, hypocholesterolemic, hypotensive, stimulant, tonic.
Internal Uses: diabetes, diuretic, dropsy, rheumatism, tonic
Production: Artichoke root is the dried root of Cynara scolymus. Artichoke leaf consists of the fresh or dried basal leaves of Cynara scolymus. Artichoke is cultivated and dried with extreme care.
Habitat: The plant is found in the Mediterranean region, the Canary Islands and South America. It is cultivated elsewhere.

Comments: Alcachofra is the Brazilian name for the globe artichoke. A member of the milk thistle family that produces a large violet-green flower head the flower petals and fleshy flower bottom are eaten as vegetables. The phytochemicals cynaropicrin and cynarin in the green parts of the artichoke attributes to the bitter taste. The phytochemicals in alcachofra have been well documented over the years with the leaves possession the greatest value. The biological activity of the leaves is attributed to the presence of caffeoylquinic acids and the acid derivatives, cynarin, and luteolin. Artichoke leaf extracts have demonstrated great benefits on the gallbladder with the ability to stimulate the secretion of bile in the liver, to detoxify the liver which in turn helps to lower cholesterol levels in the blood. In addition other compounds in the leaves have been shown to possess a hypoglycemic effect. Cynarin, the main constituent in artichoke has shown highly specific properties as a cholagogue, choleretic, and choliokinetic. Increasing the bile production and flow and contractive power of the bile duct. Artichoke is widely used in traditional medicine over centuries for the treatment of liver and gallbladder disorders ranging from prevention of gallstones, including those related to alcoholism, dyspepsia, chronic albuminuria, anemia, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, high cholesterol, and kidney disease. Typical use of 3 to 5 grams of leaves daily as a natural remedy for problems with liver, digestive, and high cholesterol are 4:1 extracts and concentrated extracts standardized to the cynarin content.

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Item VB0003
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* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.