Artichoke Plant
Botanical Description & Habitat
Cynara scolymus
Family
Compositae
Common Names
Globe artichoke
Habitat
Mediterranean regions, central Europe; cultivated as a vegetable in Europe.
Medicinal Parts
Leaves, stems and root (not the edible flower head)
Historical Properties & Uses
Artichoke, being a moderately powerful bitter, has a distinct cholagogue (choleretic) and a mild diuretic action. It has been used for liver disease, heart disease, arteriosclerosis and diabetes.
Standardized extracts of artichoke are currently stimulating a rise in the popularity of this treatment. Recent research tends to confirm the cholagogue and diuretic effects.
The action of cynara on the liver, gallbladder and bile duct is similar to that of milk thistle (Sylimarin).
Method of Action
Artichoke medicinal parts contain aromatic, bitters, tannins, numerous enzymes (caalases, oxydases, peroxydases, cynarase, ascorbinase), provitamin A, and a crystalline substance called cynarine. With that compliment of constituents, it would be surprising if the plant did not possess significant medicinal action. The enzymes, in the past, were used to curdle milk for cheese-making. In Europe, many over-the-counter, as well as prescription drugs contain artichoke, for liver disease, jaundice, dyspepsia, as a diuretic, chronic albuminurea, post-operative anemia and arteriosclerosis.
Artichoke has Anti-Cholesterol and Cholagogue Action
The choleretic, cholekinetic, diuretic and significant serum lipid lowering properties of artichoke have been substantiated in animal and clinical studies. Artichoke increases the rate of bile flow by 20 -40%. It is also very effective in eliminating dyspeptic symptoms, including pain, nausea, retching, meteorism and the feeling of being stuffed.
In one human trial, cynarin was clinically evaluated for use in the treatment of hyper-lipidemia. In a controlled trial, two groups of 30 patients, each presenting various dislipidemic pictures, were treated for 50 days with cynarin or placebo. Cynarin proved to be able to induce a significant reduction of the hypercholesterolemia, the level of pre-beta-lipoproteins, the alpha/beta-lipoprotein ratio and body weight. This finding is significant in light of the common folklore use of artichoke to rid the body of gallstones, since there is a close relationship between the formation of gallstones and blood lipid concentration.
Artichoke has Hepatatonic Action
Artichoke has also been found to promote regeneration of the liver, and stimulates the flow of blood to the traumatized area.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Known Interactions
Artichoke plant, insofar as its diuretic action increases the renal excretion of sodium and chloride, may potentiate the hyperglycemic and hyperuremic effects of glucose elevating agents.
Possible Interactions
The use of diuretics may require dosage adjustments of antidiabetic drugs. The topical application of this astringent herb in conjunction with the acne product tretinoin (retinoic acid, vitamin a acid) may adversely affect the skin.
1. The tannin in this herb may potentiate the antibiotic activity of echinacea.
2. The tannin in a tea made from this herb may be inactivated by the addition of milk or cream.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Artichoke is a nontoxic, safe product to use.
This herb (specifically the leaf) has approval status by the German Commission E.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Preparation & Administration
Capsule
use 750-1,500mg daily
Artichoke leaf has approval status by the German Commission E for dyspepsia.
The average daily dosage is 6 g
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Atherinos, A.E. Chemical investigation of cynara scolymus. The steroids of the receptacle leaves. J. Chem. Soc., 1962, 1700, 1962.
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Chabrol, E. & Charonnat, R. Les agents therapeutiques de la secretion biliare. Annuales de Medecine, 37(1), 131-142, 1935.
Dierl, H. Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift, 122, 188, 1972.
Hammerl, H. Wiener Medizinische Wochenschrift, 123, 601, 1973.
Hammouda, FM et al., HPLC evaluation of the active constituents in the newly introduced Romanian strain of Cynara scolymus cultivated in Egypt. Planta Medica, 1991, 57(supp 2):A119.
Jain, S.R. & Sharma, S.N. Hypoglycemic drugs of Indian indigenous origin. Plant Medica, 15, 439-442, 1967.
Maros, T., et.al. Arzneimittel Forschung, 8(18), 884, 1968.
Masquelier, J. & Michaud, J. Glycosides de l'artichaut. Bull Soc. Pharm. Bordeaux, 95, 65, 1958; and 96, 103; and 97, 77.
Michaud, J. Contribution a l'etude chimque et analytique de l'artichaut. These, Bordeaux, 1964.
Montini, et. al. Kontrolierte anwendung von cynarin in der behandlung hyperlipamischer syndrome. Arzneimittel Forschung, 25, 1311, 1975.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Panizzi, L., & Scarpati, M.L. Constitution of cynarine, the active principle of the artichoke. Nature, 74, 1062, 1954.
Pirtkien, R., Surke, E. & Seybold, G. Vergleichende untersuchungen uber die choleretische wirkung verschiedener artzneimittel bei der ratte. Med. Welt., 1, 1417, 1960.
Rumessen J.J., et al. Fructans of Jerusalem artichokes: Intestinal transport, absorption, fermentation, and influence on blood glucose, insulin, and C-peptide responses in healthy subjects. Am J Clin. Nutri 52 (1990): 675-68 I.
Schauenberg, P. & Paris, F. Guide to Medicinal Plants, Keats Publishing, Inc., New Canaan, Connecticut, 1977.
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