Globe Artichoke

I have been using such an awful lot of Globe Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) lately I'm going to have to start buying in in bulk! The leaf of this multi-talented herb is very effective for the treatment of raised cholesterol and triglyceride levels  and it works via it's 'choleretic' action which simply means it enhances the flow of bile from the liver, through the gallbladder. This action also make it appropriate for symptoms associated with fat maldigestion (eg. bloating, burping and colic) gallstones and gall bladder inflammation.

Globe artichoke is also protective and restorative to the liver so is appropriate for conditions associated with liver damage. It is a bitter herb so it is tonifying to the digestive tract generally and a 'depurative' or cleansing herb which means it is appropriate for conditions such as gout and inflammatory skin conditions. The recognised active principle of Globe Artichoke is a compound called Cynarin. Globe artichoke also contains the large sugar molecule called Inulin which feeds the healthy bacteria in the bowel and has recognised blood sugar lowering effects.

References

1. Bone, K (2007) The Ultimate Herbal Compendium: A Desktop Guide for Herbal Prescribers. Phytotherapy Press: Warwick, Australia.

2. Pengelly, A (2004) The Constituents of Medicinal Plants. CABI Publishing: Washington, USA.

3. Wiess, R.F. (2001) Weiss’s Herbal Medicine: Classic Edition. Thieme: New YorkCompany Ltd: Essex, UK