Artichoke

the leaf of artichoke (Cynarae folium)

The artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) is an imposing perennial with large, deeply cut and spiny leaves and big blue-violet heads. It is native to the Mediterranean; here it does well on the coast, and elsewhere it has to be protected over winter.

Herbalism uses not the fleshy receptacle known from the kitchen but the leaf. It is gathered before or during flowering, without the spiny edges; the leaves are large and fleshy, so they are cut up and dried slowly in the shade, or they go mouldy. The dried leaf is markedly bitter, and that is its character.

In Ašič's collection the leaf appears in Artichoke Drops and in the HepaSIT blend, the only blend holding artichoke and milk thistle together.

Use and evidence

The EMA recognises only traditional relief of dyspepsia with a feeling of fullness, bloating and wind. Claims about preventing stroke, angina and asthma, or treating diabetes and sclerosis of the kidney, are unfounded. EMA.