Artichoke (Medicago Sativa) Herbal Medicine
Artichoke Health Benefits, Dosage, Side effects and Warnings.
Scientific Name: Cynara scolymus L., C. Cardunculus
Other names:
Globe artichoke, garden artichoke, alcachofra
Globe artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) is one of the worlds oldest vegetable prepared as food and used in herbal medicine. Artichoke is a perennial herb, nativeto southern Europe and widely cultivated in the Mediterranean regions and central Europe.
Artichoke has been traditionally used as diuretic and as liver tonic. Artichoke is used to treat various medical conditions including jaundice, dyspepsia, and chronic albuminuria.
Artichoke grows up to 6 feet in height with strong and erect stem. Artichoke leaves are silvery greenin color, arching and deeply lobed about 20 to 32 inches long. Artichoke grows green large buds that are edible. The buds have numerous triangular scales or bracts with purple florets, the buds grow to about 5 to six inches in diameter. Large artichoke flowers sprout from the head of the buds The artichoke plant blooms form July to August.