Globe Artichoke
Folk names: articiocco, arcicioffo ,Old Spanish -alcarchofa , Arabic- al-hursufa, Old English -archecokk, hortichock, artychough, hartichoake. French - artichaut , German - Artischocke
| Family | Compositae/Asteraceae |
|---|---|
| Genus | Cynara |
| Species | scolymus |
| Part(s) used | Leaf, fruit |
Hepatoprotective, Trophorestorative, Cholagogue, Choleretic, Diuretic, Digestive, Alterative, Hypoglycaemic, Anti-cholesterol, Hypothyroidism, Anti-obesity, Anti-emetic, Antidiabetic, antirheumatic,lithontriptic (what these mean)
Uses
The fruit is steamed, pickled, or fried as food. The leaves are used as medicine, they help cleanse the Liver and gallbladder. They also are a bitter tonic which aids digestion. Traditionally the leaves were used for hepatitis, dropsy, to reduce sweating and as an aphrodisiac. Modern usea of the leaves are for dyspepsia, IBS, liver disorders , to lower cholesterol, and certain cardiovascular disorders such as atheriosclerosis.
Constituents
Sesquiterpene lactones including cynarpicrin, dehydrocynaropicrin, cynaratriol and grossheimin, Phenolic acids including cynarin, Flavonoids- cynaroside, scolymoside, cynarotrioside. Essential oil containing alpha-selinene, eugenol and the terepene caryophyllene . Caffeic acid derivatives -chlorogenic, neochlorogenic, cryptochloogenic acid.