-
Common Name
Globe Artichoke
-
Botanical Name
Cynara scolymus
-
Part Used
Leaf
-
Clinical Summary
-
Alcohol
30%
-
Dose
20 to 80mL weekly
Globe artichoke leaves may help stimulate bile flow from the gallbladder and assist the liver to digest fats. As a liver tonic it may also support the liver’s detoxification processes.
-
Traditional Use
Traditionally globe artichoke has been considered as a digestive, liver and gallbladder herb with bitter principles and recent evidence supports this long time use.
-
Actions
Hepatoprotective, antioxidant, hepatic trophorestorative, choleretic, cholagogue, bitter tonic, hypocholesterolaemic, antiemetic, diuretic, carminative, antispasmodic
-
Indications
• Digestive complaints such as indigestion, stomach ache, nausea, vomiting, feeling of fullness, flatulence, loss of appetite, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome.
• Adjunct treatment of mild to moderate hypercholesterolaemia (high cholesterol)
• Gallbladder disorders, sluggish liver, hepatobiliary disturbances. -
Energetics
Cold, moist
-
Use in Pregnancy
Safety has not been scientifically established for the leaf extract. Dietary intake is likely to be safe.
-
Contraindications & Cautions
Not to be used by people with known allergy to globe artichoke or other members of the Asteraceae/Compositae family of plants. Herbs with choleretic and cholagogue activities should be used with caution by people with bile duct obstruction, acute or severe hepatocellular disease (e.g. cirrhosis), septic cholecystitis, intestinal spasm or ileus, liver cancer or with unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia
-
Drug Interactions
Theoretical additive effects are possible with lipid-lowering drugs.
-
Dietary Information
Vegan friendly. Gluten and dairy free
-
Substitutes
Celandine, Dandelion Root, St. Mary’s Thistle, Schizandra, Globe Artichoke, Turmeric, Boldo, Yellow Dock