Globe Artichoke leaves for liver disease [updated]

Globe artichokes (so called to distinguish them from the unrelated Jerusalem artichoke), Cynara scolymus, is also known as the garden artichoke or just artichoke. It’s a hardy perennial and will reach a height of 6′ (2m) by about 4′ (130cm). Most people who have it in their garden grow it for the flower buds, which are eaten petal by petal with melted butter or other dipping sauces.

Globe artichoke is a big strong, sturdy perennial plant which is reputed to be invasive, though I think you would need to be a bit unobservant to allow that to happen! It will grow almost anywhere where there is good drainage, even saline soil, so long as it is not in the shade or exposed to maritime winds.

It can be propagated by suckers in Spring or Fall or from seed purchased from a reputable supplier. Deadhead to prevent self-sowing.

The leaves are the part used for herbal medicine, and these should be harvested just before flowering (which takes place from around August to September). They can be used fresh or dried.

Make a standard infusion using 3 handfuls of fresh chopped leaves or 1 oz (30g) of dried to 600ml (2½ US cups, 1 UK pint) of boiling water. Allow to stand for at least 10 minutes (up to 4 hours), then strain for use. The dosage is one third US cup (75ml) two or three times a day.

The standard infusion is used to treat chronic liver disease, jaundice, hepatitis, gall bladder problems and as a tonic to stimulate liver and gall bladder, and lower blood cholesterol levels.

As you are no doubt tired of reading, if you are going to use any herb for medicinal purposes, it’s important that it is grown organically, so as not to adulterate the active constituents with chemicals that have no business there. To find out more about growing organic globe artichokes visit the Gardenzone.

Globe artichoke is not used in aromatherapy.

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