artichoke medicinal properties diseases

ARTICHOKE
(Cynara Scolymus L.)

There isn’t any healthier than drinking 2 glasses a day of the cooking of the artichoke. It’s an excellent anticarcinogenic. It prevents, improves the processes of this disease. Even it’s so good to treat problems of cholesterol, hypertension, arteriosclerosis and others.

The artichoke is a perennial medicinal plant, of the family of the Compositae, of until 2 meters of height, of pinnate-lobulated leaves of more than 60 cm of length, with lobes without thorns and tomentose back. Its chapters are eye-catching, very big, of until 15 cm, with bluish flowers and oval bracts. The floral receptacle of the artichoke is edible. This medicinal plant that is cropped in many places of the world and very abundant in the Mediterranean, it’s few times grown wild. Don’t leave to consume the artichoke inclusive.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES:

Anticarcinogenic: One of the excellent medicinal properties of the artichoke is to prevent or improve the cancerous processes. Cooking of 60 grams of dry roots of artichoke by liter of water, until reducing the liquid to the half. Drink 2 glasses a day.

Antidiabetic: It lowers the level of sugar in the blood and fights against the diabetes. Take juice of artichoke leaves mixed with wine. Cooking of some artichoke leaves until reducing the liquid to the half. Take a glass a day.

Cirrhosis: Inside of one of the main medicinal properties of the artichoke we have the treatment of the cirrhosis. Infusion of two spoonfuls of dry leaves of artichoke by liter of water. Take three times a day before the meals. A preparation of the juice of green leaves of artichoke mixed with wine.

Cholesterol, Hypertension, Arteriosclerosis: It reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood, decreases the blood pressure and prevents the arteriosclerosis. Infusion of two spoonfuls of dry leaves of artichoke by liter of water. Take three times a day before the meals. A preparation of the juice of green leaves of artichoke mixed with wine.

Diuretic: It favors the elimination of liquid in the body. Cooking of 60 grams of dry roots of artichoke by liter of water, until reducing the liquid to the half. Drink 2 glasses a day.

Dryness in the eyes: The cooking of the artichoke helps to fortify the eyes and can serve as natural eyedrops in cases of ocular dryness. Boil during 10 minutes a couple of spoonfuls of dry leaves of artichoke in half liter of water. Leave to cool and strain it. Apply a compress with the resulting liquid to fortify the ocular health. Apply in form of eyedrops to increase the eye humidity. Another of the medicinal properties of the artichoke to take advantage in this treatment.

Hepatitis: Infusion of two spoonfuls of dry leaves of artichoke by liter of water. Take three times a day before the meals. A preparation of the juice of green leaves of artichoke mixed with wine.

Liver and Bile: It protects the liver and helps to its recovery in case of hepatic disease (cirrhosis, hepatitis, hepatic insufficiency, poisoning, etc.). It favors the biliary function. Infusion of two spoonfuls of dry leaves of artichoke by liter of water. Take three times a day before the meals. A preparation of the juice of green leaves of artichoke mixed with wine can be useful for the same task.

Obesity: Cooking of 60 grams of dry roots of artichoke by liter of water, until reducing the liquid to the half. Drink 2 glasses a day.

AS FOOD
The artichokes are a very convenient food. It’s advisable to eat them raw, in salad to take advantage of all their properties. If they are boiled, you should drink the resulting stock to not waste their values. The artichokes baked or barbecued bathed in olive oil result highly delicious and medicinal for the high content, as much of the artichoke as the olive in oleic acid.

TOXICITY
Although in any case is toxic, we advise you against its utilization in breast-feeding women, because its use entails to the diminution of the milk production.

COLLECTION AND PRESERVATION
The artichokes will be collected in spring, when they are tender. The leaves can be picked up during all its production. They should be dry and kept in little bags of cloth in a fresh place and protected from the dust.