Artichoke

Parts Usually Used

Flower heads, leaves, root

Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Artichoke is a perennial plant; its tuberous root produces a stem from 3-5 feet high, with alternate, thistle-like leaves that are grayish-green above and woolly white underneath. The blue flowers are enveloped in the familiar globular heads of purplish-green, spiny scales which terminate the main branches. The flower heads, picked before maturity, are the dinner table vegetable fare.

Flowering time varies from spring to mid-summer, depending on the warmth of the climate.

Where Found

Grows in the Mediterranean area and the Canary Islands and is widely cultivated elsewhere as a food plant.

Medicinal Properties

Cholagogue, diuretic, tonic

Legends, Myths and Stories

The flower or head of the artichoke, commonly known as the heart, is reputed to be an aphrodisiac, although this claim has never been scientifically proven. Through the years, various studies worldwide have shown that people’s blood cholesterol levels dropped after eating artichoke. In fact, an anticholesterol drug called cynara is derived from this herb. In 1940, a study is Japan showed that artichoke not only reduced cholesterol but it also increased bile production by the liver and worked as a good diuretic.

Native Americans of the Missouri River Valley region cultivated artichokes along with the squash, beans, corn, etc.

Uses

Historical herbal traditions utilized extracts of the leaves and root for conditions such as jaundice, dyspepsia, liver insufficiency, chronic albuminuria, and postoperative anemia. Herbalists also administered these preparations with the intention of managing arteriosclerosis and lowering blood cholesterol levels. Additionally, folk traditions in certain countries historically regarded the plant as an aphrodisiac.

How Sold

Supermarket

Bibliography

, Simon & Schuster/Fireside, Rockefeller Center 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020 Prairie Smoke , by Melvin R. Gilmore, Minnesota Historical Society Press, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101, copyright 1987. The Herb Book , by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974. The Nature Doctor: A Manual of Traditional and Complementary Medicine , by Dr.

A. , 27 Pine Street (Box 876) New Canaan, CT. 06840-0876. Copyright Verlag A. , 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023