Common Name: |
Artichoke |
Other Names: |
Globe Artichoke, Garden Artichoke |
Botanical Name: |
Cynara scolymus |
Genus: |
Cynara |
Family: |
Asteraceae |
Native Location: |
Mediterranean region and N Africa. Unknown in the wild. |
Cultivation: |
Deep, rich, well-drained soil in sun. May need winter protection in very cold areas. Flower heads may be affected by petal blight. Foliage is susceptible to Botrytis. Seeds may not ripen in areas with cool summers. |
Propagation: |
By seed sown when ripe; by suckers (sideshoots) in spring or autumn, by division in spring; by root cuttings in winter. |
Harvest: |
Leaves are cut just before flowering, and roots are harvested in winter, for use fresh or dried in liquid extracts, syrup, and tablets. Flower heads are cut before the bracts open. |
Height: |
2m (6ft) |
Width: |
1.2m (4ft) |
Hardiness: |
Z9 |
Parts Used: |
Leaves, roots, flower heads |
Properties: |
A bitter, slightly salty herb that detoxifies and regenerates liver tissues, stimulates the gall bladder, and reduces blood lipids, serum cholesterol, and blood sugar. |
Medicinal Uses: |
Internally for chronic liver and gall bladder diseases, poor digestion, jaundice, hepatitis, arteriosclerosis, and diabetes. To lower cholesterol and aid digestion; to treat dyspepsia; to prevent the return of gallstones. Germany's Commission E has approved the use of artichoke to treat loss of appetite and liver and gallbladder complaints. |
Typical Dosage: |
A single dose of artichoke is approximately 500mg of dry extract; an average daily dose is 6gm of dry extract or 6gm of dried herb, divided into three doses. |
Possible Side Effects: |
No side effects are known when artichoke is taken in designated therapeutic doses. |
Drug Interactions: |
Taking artichoke with these drugs may increase the drug's diuretic effects: |
Bumetanide, (Bumex, Burinex) |
Furosemide, (Apo-Furosemide, Lasix) |
Taking artichoke with these drugs may interfere with the absorption of the drug: |
Ferric Gluconate, (Ferrlecit) |
Ferrous Fumarate, (Femiron, Feostat) |
Ferrous Gluconate, (Fergon, Novo-Ferrogluc) |
Ferrous Sulfate, (Feratab, Fer-Iron) |
Ferrous Sulfate and Ascorbic Acid, (FeroGrad 500, Vitelle Irospan) |
Iron-Dextran Complex, (Dexferrum, INFeD) |
Polysaccharide-Iron Complex, (Hytinic, Niferex) |
Taking artichoke with this drug may increase the risk of hypokalemia (Low levels of potassium in the blood): |
Hydrochlorothiazide, (Apo-Hydro, Microzide) |
|
Disease Interactions: |
May increase bile flow and exacerbate gallstones or bile duct obstruction. |
Culinary Uses: |
Unopened flower heads are boiled and the fleshy bases are eaten hot, with hollandaise sauce or melted butter, or cold, with vinaigrette. Hearts are baked, fried or marinated. Baby artichokes (from side shoots) are eaten whole, pickled, or preserved in oil. Young leaf stalks, known as artichoke chard, are blanched and eaten as a vegetable. |
Bibliography: |
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pg 188 The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by George T. Grossberg, M.D., and Barry Fox, Ph.D. Copyright © 2007 by Barry Fox, Ph.D. pg. 48? |