While the artichoke is known to gourmands as a tasty delicacy, people with digestion problems appreciate it as a helpful natural remedy. "The application of artichoke leaves to relieve gastrointestinal problems is scientifically recognized, particularly when the problems are caused by a disruption of the liver and gall bladder functions," said Johannes Gottfried Mayer, a member of a research group at the university of Wuerzburg in Germany.
The important bitter ingredient, however, is not found in the tasty hearts of the artichoke, but rather in the leaves where it reaches a proportion of up to 6 per cent.
"The bitters stimulate the flow of bile, which leads to better digestion of fat," said Mayer. They are lost, however, when artichokes are cooked. Tea made from artichoke leaves also has hardly any relevant therapeutic effect. Mayer says only pharmaceutical remedies provide sufficient doses of the necessary substances.
The important ingredient cynarin results from the processing of the vegetable. Mayer said some studies suggest that cynarin possibly has a liver-protecting effect. Artichoke leaves also appear to have a positive effect on loss of appetite, high cholesterol and vascular disease.
People who are allergic to artichokes and other composite plants should avoid remedies made with them. And people with gall bladder problems should consult their doctor before trying an artichoke remedy. According to Mayer, there are no known side effects.
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