Artichoke
Cynara cardunculus var. scolymusThe part we eat is an unopened flower head; if it opens, it becomes a purple, thistle-like flower.
What is Artichoke?
Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus) is a plant of the Asteraceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean. Part used: leaves, flower head.
What is Artichoke used for?
Traditional use: Artichokes in olive oil herald spring in Aegean and Istanbul cooking. Scientific evidence: limited. The EMA recognises artichoke leaf for mild indigestion and bloating as a traditional use.
Is Artichoke safe?
Safety label: generally safe. Safe as food. People with bile duct obstruction or gallstones should not use leaf extract. Can cause allergy in people allergic to the daisy family.
Traditional use
Artichokes in olive oil herald spring in Aegean and Istanbul cooking. The cooking water and leaf tea are drunk for the liver and bile.
Leaf extract is sold in pharmacies in Germany and France for indigestion.
In nature
Mix-up risk
Gundelia (kenger) and wild thistles look similar; pick carefully because of the spines.
Preparation
The flower head is cooked; leaves are dried and steeped or taken as a standardised extract.
What science says
The EMA recognises artichoke leaf for mild indigestion and bloating as a traditional use. Small studies show slight improvements in indigestion symptoms and cholesterol.
Safety
Safe as food. People with bile duct obstruction or gallstones should not use leaf extract. Can cause allergy in people allergic to the daisy family.
Similar plants
Sources
- EMA monographCynarae folium: European Medicines Agency herbal assessment
- BookBaytop T. Türkiye’de Bitkiler ile Tedavi: Geçmişte ve Bugün. 2. baskı. İstanbul: Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri; 1999.
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Cynara cardunculus
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe