Sweet flavor and warm thermal nature. Acts on Liver, Gallbladder, Spleen, and Stomach and meridians.

Active compounds:

The liver is a remarkable organ and is the central chemical laboratory in the body. Everyday we introduce new toxins in our body, and it’s more important than ever to make sure our livers are working properly and healthy. Artichoke’s antioxidant capacity is one of the highest reported in vegetables. Artichoke leaf contains caffeic acid derivatives, most notably cynarine. Cynarine is a chemical constituent in Cynara. The majority of the cynarine found in artichoke is located in the pulp of the leaves. It inhibits taste receptors, making water (and other foods and drinks) seem sweet. The leaf also contains rutin, a flavonoid closely related to the antioxidant quercetin. Other compounds found in the leaf include sesquiterpene lactones, such as naropicrin, cynaropicrin and cynaratriol.

Clinical Usage and Indications:

• Promote digestion, stops vomiting and lessens abdominal pain associated with dyspepsia (indigestion).The leaf extract has proved to be helpful for patients with functional dyspepsia and may ameliorate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome
• For Liver and Gallbladder and Kidney function complaints. It has been shown in placebo-controlled studies to stimulate bile, helping on hepatic and gallbladder function raising the ratio of HDL and LDL. Artichoke extracts are used to decrease cholesterol and triglyceride level
• The cynarine found in artichoke has been found to stimulate bile secretion as well as lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Artichoke also has some antioxidant activity
• The extract from the leaves are taken to reduce nausea

Directions: For rheumatic conditions, digestive weakness, and obesity eat in small doses before meals. One small glass of artichoke juice is recommended to be drunk beforebreakfast and lunch. It is a treatment indicated for constipated people. It is a draining treatment in case of constipation, without aggressing the liver.

From The Tao of Tummy © book