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Artichoke
(Cynara scholymus)
DESCRIPTION
Cultivated as a vegetable in Europe, artichoke possesses choleretic
(simulates liver to increase bile production) and a mild diuretic
action. It has been used to treat liver disease, heart disease,
Arteriosclerosis, and diabetes.
HERBAL USES
The ancient Greeks and Romans used artichoke
as a digestive aid (1).
SUGGESTED INTAKES
Parts of the plants used: LEAF, STEM, ROOT.
Standardised leaf extract, 320 mg four to
six times daily for a minimum of six weeks (2).
Crude leaf doSage
, 1-4 g three times daily (3).
SUPPLEMENTAL USES
Anti-cholesterol:
The serum-lipid lowering effects of artichoke have been confirmed
in animal and clinical studies. Artichoke contains a substance
called cynarine, which has been shown to effectively reduce
Hypercholesterolemia. Test tube results show that artichoke
may inhibit cholesterol synthesis and increase its elimination
(4).
Liver disease:
Artichoke has been shown to promote liver regeneration and
to encourage blood flow to traumatised areas of the liver.
Test tube results have shown that artichoke is effect against
carbon tetrachloride induced toxicity (5).
Dyspepsia:
Artichoke may also alleviate dyspeptic symptoms, which include
Pain, nausea, retching, and the feeling of being full.
SAFETY AND PRECAUTIONS
Artichoke is considered a non-toxic and
safe product to use (6).
People with obstructions of the bile duct
(e.g. from Gallstones) should not use artichoke therapeutically.
People with allergies to artichoke or to any member of the
Compositae family (e.g. daisy) should not use artichoke.
Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing
women, and patients with severe kidney or liver disease has
not been determined.
INTERACTIONS AND CONTRA-INDICATIONS
Artichoke may potentiate the hyperglycaemic
and hyperuremic (excessive blood levels of uric acid) effects
of glucose elevating agents.
Use may require adjustments in dosages of
antidiabetic drugs.
Avoid topical use in conjunction with the
Acne medication tretinoin (retinoic acid, Vitamin
A acid).
Artichoke may potentiate the antibiotic
activity of Echinacea. To counter the effect, add milk or
cream to herbal tea.
REFERENCES
1. Brand N. Cynara scolymus L. - The
artichoke. Zeitschrift Phytother 1990;11:169-75.
2. Fintelmann V. Antidyspeptic and lipid-lowering effect of
artichoke leaf extract. Zeitschirfit fur Allgemeinmed 1996;72:1-19.
3. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines:
A Guide for Health-Care Professionals. London: The Pharmaceutical
Press, 1996, 36.
4. Gebhardt R. New experimental results in the action of artichoke
leaf extract. Zeitschrift fur Allgemeinmed 1996;72:20-23.
5. Adzet T, Camarasa J, Laguna JC. Hepatoprotective effect
of Polyphenolic compounds from Cynara scolymus against CCL4
toxicity in isolated rat hepatocytes. Journal of Natural Products
1987;50:612-17.
6. Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs:
Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical
Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
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