Artichoke Purchase & Information
Alternative Names
Alcachofa, Alcaucil, ALE, Artichaut, Artichaut Commun, Artichaut Sauvage, Artichoke Extract, Artichoke Fruit, Artichoke Leaf, Artichoke Leaf Extract, Artischocke, Cardo, Cardo de Comer, Cardon d'Espagne, Cardoon, Cynara, Extrait d'Artichaut, Feuille d'Artichaut, Garden Artichoke, Gemuseartischocke, Globe Artichoke, Kardone, Tyosen-Azami
Scientific Name
Cynara Scolymus
Why Do People Use Artichoke?
Oral preparations of Cynara scolymus (Artichoke), like artichoke powder, are used for hyperlipidemia, dyspepsia, alcohol-induced hangover, nausea and to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is also used as a choleretic and diuretic. Artichoke is also used orally for treating renal insufficiency, snakebites, edema, anemia, cystitis, arthritis, preventing gallstones, liver dysfunction, as a hypoglycemic, lowering blood pressure as general tonic and stimulant.
In Foods - Leaves and extracts of artichoke are consumed as flavoring agents in various beverages. Artichoke powder contains cynarin and chlorogenic acids, which are sometimes used as sweeteners.
Is It Safe To Use?
Likely Safe - Oral consumption of artichoke seems to be safe when used its amounts commonly found in food items. Artichoke has attained Generally Recognized As Safe status (GRAS) for use in foods in the United States.
Oral and short term usage of Cynara scolymus seems safe when used in medicines. Extract of artichoke seems to be safe when utilize for up to 23 months.
Avoid In Pregnancy and Breastfeeding - There is limited information to rate the safety of artichoke powder for pregnant and breastfeeding females. Therefore, such females should avoid its use.
How Effective Is Artichoke?
Artichoke consumption is thought to be effective in following conditions:
Dyspepsia - Leaves extract of artichoke appears to lessen symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, functional dyspepsia and dyspepsia related with biliary disease. Improvement can take up to 2-8 weeks of treatment. There are few studies that have used a particular extract known as ALE LI 220 (Hepar-SL forte, Serturner Arzneimittel GmbH). There is another study conducted on another extract of artichoke leaf (Cynara SL, Lichtwer Pharma) showing promising results.
Hyperlipidemia - Particular extract of artichoke (known as Valverde Artischocke, Novartis Consumer Health) appears to modestly lessen the LDL/high density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio and total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol over 6 - 12 weeks of treatment. Extract of artichoke may work better in individuals suffering from higher cholesterol levels, but studies using the isolated cynarin constituent have been contradictory.
Artichoke seems to likely ineffective in following conditions:
Hangover - Clinical trials suggest that oral consumption of artichoke extract does not protect from alcohol-induced hangover.
There is unreliable and insufficient information to rate the effectiveness of artichoke in following condition.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - Initial trials recommend that extract of artichoke may lessen the IBS symptoms. Initial studies also confirm that specific leaves extract of artichoke (known as Hepar-SL forte, Serturner Arzneimittel GmbH) can likely reduce the cramping, abdominal pain, flatulence, bloating and constipation related with IBS after six weeks of treatment. There is another study which confirms that a different specific artichoke leaf extract (Cynara SL, Lichtwer Pharma) reduced the incidence of IBS symptoms in patients suffering from dyspepsia up to 26%. The patients taking this specific extract also had improved measures of quality life after two months of treatment.
How Artichoke Works?
The most effective parts of Cynara scolymus are the leaves, root and stem. The constituents include up to 2% phenolic acids, cynarin, primarily chlorogenic acid and caffeic acid. Artichoke also contains up to 4% sesquiterpene lactones and 1% flavonoids such as cynaroside, scolymoside and luteolin. Artichoke's remedial advantage in dyspepsia is mainly due to its choleretic impacts or potential to stimulate bile stream, as shown by few studies. Moreover, its constituents like chlorogenic acid, cynarin and scolymoside explain its efficacy for the treatment of headache.
Spasmolytic, antiemetic and carminative activities of artichoke have also been reported. These impacts may be responsible of the potential valuable impacts of artichoke powder in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Chlorogenic and Cynarin acid in Cynara scolymus may also have cholesterol-lowering impacts, despite the fact that studies with cynarin for hyperlipidemia have produced mixed results.
What Are The Side Effects /Adverse Reactions of Artichoke?
Use of artichoke might enhance flatulence in some individuals. Artichoke powder can also lead to allergic side effects in some patients. Individuals sensitive to the Compositae or Asteraceae family of plants may also show sensitivity to Cynara scolymus. Members of this family include chrysanthemums, ragweed, daisies, marigolds and different other plants.
Topically - Allergic contact dermatitis can occur with the topical use of artichoke. This has been attributed to the constituent cynaropicrin.
How Artichoke Interacts With Other Herbs and Supplements?
Not known.
How Artichoke Interacts With Drugs?
Unknown.
How Artichoke Interacts With Foods?
No information available
How Artichoke Interacts With Lab Tests?
No data available.
How Artichoke Interacts With Diseases and Conditions?
Bile Duct Obstruction - It may cause bile duct obstruction by enhancing the bile flow; therefore doctors don’t advise the use of artichoke powder in patients with bile duct obstruction.
Cross-Allergenicity - Artichoke may result in an allergic reaction in those individuals who are sensitive to the Compositae or Asteraceae family plants. Members of this family include chrysanthemums, ragweed, daisies, marigolds and many other herbs as well.
Gallstones - Oral consumption of artichoke may cause gallstones by enhancing the bile flow; therefore patients are advice to use this after their physician’s recommendations.
What Should Be the Dose/Administration of Artichoke?
ORAL In order to treat dyspepsia, leaves extract of artichoke should be taken in an amount of 320-640 mg thrice every day. Some studies have utilize a particular extract known as ALE LI 220 (HeparSL forte, Berlin, Germany).
In order to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), particular leaves extract of artichoke (named as Hepar-SL forte, Serturner Arzneimittel GmbH) should be ingested thrice every day in an amount of 640 mg. There is another specific leaves extract of artichoke leaf (called Cynara SL, Lichtwer Pharma) which should be ingested 320-640 mg once every day.
For hyperlipidemia treatment, patient should take particular extract of artichoke (Valverde Artischocke, Novartis Consumer Health) 2 to 3 times every days in an amount 1800-1920 mg. The isolated constituent cynarin should be consumed in an amount of 60-1500 mg every day.
Comments
Don’t mix the Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) with artichoke.
General Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Specification sheet links below are a standard copy of the COA less the batch or lot number and manufactures dates. Specification sheet can be dated and should only be considered as a general information. Please contact and request an up to date COA if needed for specific updated information before placing order by filling out the contact form with product name and SKU number. If ordering quantities of twenty five kilos or more contact for availability.
