Artichoke

For many, the artichoke is a wonderfully delicious flower vegetable. It is not only suitable for decoration and consumption: in 2003, it was also named the Medicinal Plant of the Year. So there must be more behind the artichoke: we look at it from a naturopathic perspective.

 

Native to the Mediterranean region, the artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) prefers warm and sunny conditions. It favors a sheltered spot; its original habitat stretches from Persia to North Africa and even the Canary Islands. The ancient Greeks already knew and valued artichokes.

Botanically, the plant, cultivated since the 1st century, belongs to the family of Asteraceae Interesting is that artichokes are known as vegetables, although they are also flowers. They are very sensitive to frost, yet with suitable winter protection, they can also be grown here in mild regions. Artichokes appreciate a richly fertilized soil enriched with plenty of humus and reward such conditions with good growth. However, the perennial plant does not tolerate waterlogging. Growing artichokes in Germany therefore requires some skill. The largest cultivation areas for artichokes are:

• Egypt
• Peru
• China
• Argentina
• Iran
  
  

Those who dare to tackle the spiky-hard shell of the artichoke and peel it back, are rewarded with its flavor experience. Its leaves have a fine, slightly bitter taste, while artichoke hearts and bottoms stand out with a mild flavor. In the kitchen, the artichoke scores as a versatile and low-calorie vegetable.

Artichokes not only taste excellent, but are also incredibly healthy. As a medicinal plant, they are said to stimulate intestinal activity by activating the intestinal muscles alone. They make the bile especially productive and thus help with fat digestion. Artichokes are also believed to benefit cholesterol levels. Positive effects of artichokes on the liver have also been observed. Extracts from the artichoke are suitable for Treatment of Irritable Stomach.

Studies show that artichoke leaves can serve as treatment for loss of appetite, bile complaints, and elevated cholesterol levels. It is also recommended for liver protection. With so many effects, artichokes rightly earned the title Medicinal Plant of the Year in 2003.

If we dive deeper into the topic, we can learn a lot. The positive effect of artichokes on the liver could be due to a bitter substance called cynarin. That is why a very high-quality artichoke extract is also included in our BitterPower! contained. 

Therapeutically used, artichoke extracts have so far been used to naturally lower blood lipid levels, stimulate bile flow, and help with digestive disorders (dyspeptic complaints) such as irritable stomach. 

 

There are many ways to take advantage of the positive properties of artichokes. The easiest way is, of course, through diet. Artichokes are usually cooked for 20 to 45 minutes and then eaten. Most people find the artichoke heart the tastiest, but many also enjoy the base.

As therapeutic forms of administration, we recommend (fresh plant) extracts, artichoke teas, liquid artichoke extracts, or artichoke capsules.

The use of artichokes, for example, for digestive complaints is based on the fact that artichokes are considered a traditional remedy according to the EMA (European Medicines Agency). It has been safely used for over 30 years, at least 15 of those in the EU.

The recommended maximum daily dose corresponds to 6 grams of fresh or dried artichoke leaves. So be sure not to exceed this dose in any form of administration.

From a therapeutic perspective, finished preparations with clear and precise dosages make the most sense. With these, you can quickly find out which dose works for you. Examples include capsules. 

Finally, we recommend a fresh plant extract because its ingredients can differ significantly from those of a dried extract. During the drying process, some ingredients may already be lost. 

 

The artichoke attracts attention not only as an exceptional beauty and outstandingly tasty flower vegetable. Its ingredients are also impressive: caffeic acid, chlorogenic and neochlorogenic acid, as well as cynarin, flavonoids, and sesquiterpenes, to name just a few. Even the beneficial Bitter compounds the composite flower family has to offer.

 

In appearance, the artichoke resembles a thistle. The large basket-shaped flower heads consist of several bracts that grow from the fleshy flower base. During flowering, the bracts release beautiful violet tubular flowers that attract numerous insects. However, by then it is too late to harvest. Harvesting is only possible while the flower buds are still closed.

 

Growing artichokes in Germany is not that easy. We recommend directly resistant varieties like “Vert de Provence” or “Imperial Star”. These can thrive in our latitudes and are not very demanding. 

Choose a sheltered and fully sunny location for planting; the soil should be well fertilized and rich in humus. Artichokes cannot tolerate waterlogging at all. If the artichokes survive their first winter in your garden, they will endure many more. 

To prepare the artichokes well for winter, you should start them indoors from mid-January. For this, place a seed tray in a bright, warm spot and fill the soil with plenty of humus. To help germination, soak the seeds in warm water for a few hours or overnight before planting them in the soil. The temperature should be around 20 °C. Once the small shoot emerges from the soil, plenty of light is essential. 

With 3 or 5 leaves, the artichokes can be planted out, which should be around the end of April. Then, an artichoke needs about one square meter for itself; a slightly larger area is optimal. Before planting the shoots here, you can enrich the soil well with compost. As a rule of thumb, you can spread about 4 liters of compost per square meter.

 

Those who are allergic to composite flowers should be cautious when consuming artichokes. The leaves are not recommended for people with gallstones.

Artichokes are mentioned in Greek mythology. When Zeus fell in love with the nymph Cynara and was rejected, he transformed her into a spiky artichoke. Even today, the name of the divine nymph is still part of the scientific name of the artichoke: “Cynara cardunculus.”

 

Artichokes are widely distributed across the world. They originally come from the Mediterranean region, like many medicinal plants still used today. In Greek mythology, artichokes are mentioned, for example. They grow naturally in parts of Italy, Spain, and even North Africa. Artichokes also grow wild on the Canary Islands.

They are mainly grown industrially in temperate climate zones, such as Egypt, Peru, China, California, Turkey, or Argentina. 

Artichokes are perennial plants, meaning they should survive the winter. However, the cold German winter is often too harsh for artichokes – but this doesn’t have to be the case! The following criteria must be met for a healthy artichoke plant:

• Full sun and sheltered from wind
• Soil rich in humus and nutrients
• High water requirement without waterlogging
• Pre-cultivation necessary from January
• Plant only after the Ice Saints
• Each plant needs about 150 x 75 cm of space
• Grows well alongside cabbage, fennel, and lettuce
  
  

Artichokes are extremely healthy, as evidenced by the fact that they were chosen as the medicinal plant of the year in 2003. As a traditional remedy, they can be used against digestive complaints without any unusual risks. Only people with gallstones should avoid artichokes.

Additionally, artichoke is used to lower blood fat levels and for increased bile flow. Other uses are possible but need further research.

The round and beautiful flower heads of the artichoke appear between September and October. In Germany, the bloom can also be visible as early as July. It depends on the individual circumstances of the plant. Artichokes often decorate ornamental gardens so that beautiful flowers bloom in late summer or autumn.

Artichokes can stimulate bile production. This is obviously counterproductive for people with gallstones. These hard deposits can already cause pain and discomfort in everyday life, which may be worsened by increased bile production. So definitely consult your doctor.

Both medicinal plants are often taken for liver health. Milk thistle It works through the active compound mixture called silymarin to protect the liver and can, for example, protect liver cells from damage. Artichokes, meanwhile, stimulate bile production, which can help digestion and the breakdown of fats, which in turn benefits liver health. 

So which plant is ultimately better does not matter. You have two very well-tolerated medicinal plants here that can be beneficial for your liver health. Feel free to try both medicinal plants; we clearly recommend consulting a doctor beforehand.