Artichoke (Cynara scolymus): medicinal properties and how to take it

What is the artichoke and what is it for?

The artichoke (Cynara scolymus) is a robust plant, with large rosette, segmented, bluish-green leaves. From the stem, about two spans long, grow one or two flower heads, artichokescovered with hard bracts. the flowers are blue and tubular.

It looks a lot like thistle (Cynara cardunculus), although its bracts are not spiny. From the rude and thorny thistles that are seen almost everywhere on degraded soils and roadsides, the exquisite artichoke must have come, as an agricultural variant.

The tender and edible part is found inside the flower heads, but the youngest leaves are also used in phytotherapy, especially for lower cholesterol, although it has many other indications. Presents in fresh leaves for infusiontincture, liquid extractcapsules and tablets, in addition to artichokes in food.

The artichoke leaves they have a bitter component – ​​cynarin–, other bitter principles such as cinaropricin, flavonoids, caffeic and chlorogenic acids, mineral salts –potassium and magnesium–, and vitamins C and B.

Medicinal properties of the artichoke and its plant

Artichokes are not only a very valuable food for their contribution of vitamins and minerals, and their low fat. In addition, numerous therapeutic effects are attributed to them. They are an excellent diureticvery useful to favor the emission of urine and relieve urinary disorders such as bladder and urethral infections, kidney stones, excess uric acid and urea or the edema. artichoke leaves help keep blood pressure at bayDue to its bitter principles, the artichoke stimulates the secretion of gastric juices and whets the appetiteso it is recommended for debilitated, inappetent and anorexic people.Cynarin, with a hepatoprotective effect, helps to recover the filtering functions of the liver after intoxication or liver disorder -hepatitis, cirrhosis, jaundice, etc.-, favors the secretion of bile and prevents gallstones.

How to take the artichoke in infusion

Artichoke tea to eliminate fluids

A diuretic infusion can be prepared by combining artichoke with horsetail, birch, orthosiphon and mint.

How to prepare it: Boil 2 tablespoons of the mixture per half liter of water for 2 minutes, let it rest for 10 and strain. It is drunk during the day, even when cold.

Infusion with artichoke and dandelion to reduce cholesterol

To reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, artichoke leaves are combined for infusion with hackberry leaves, paliure fruits and dandelion.

How to prepare it: Again, two tablespoons of the mixture per half liter of water, boil for 1 minute, let stand and strain. The infusion is drunk throughout the day, in small doses.

Infusion of artichoke and boldo for the liver

To favor the elimination tasks of the liver it can be combined in an infusion artichoke with boldo, dandelion and fumitory.

How to prepare it: A tablespoon of the mixture in equal parts per glass of water. Boil for one minute, let stand for 10 and strain. Two glasses are taken a day, after meals. To attenuate the bitter taste of the remedy you can add star anise, mint or bitter orange peel.

Breastfeeding Precautions

It is preferable not to take artichoke during the lactation period, to avoid transferring its bitter principles to breast milk.

Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist at “El Manantial de Salud”.