Artichoke: beneficial properties and contraindications for the he alth of the human body

Artichoke (lat. Cynara) - a plant for the middle latitudes of our country is quite exotic and not all vegetable growers are ready to start a complex experiment on its cultivation. The plant is whimsical and thermophilic, since Italy is considered its homeland, where the climate allows you to grow an unusual crop without much hassle. Russian lovers of the exotic should also think about growing it, since the advantages of useful properties and a small number of contraindications put the artichoke on a par with medicinal herbs.

Description of the plant

Cynara is a herbaceous representative of the Asteraceae.What is used for food and for medicinal purposes is an unblown bud: at a young age - buds-flowers, at a mature age - buds-cones. It is formed by fleshy scales with a diameter of up to 7.5 cm, which is why it is often called a vegetable. It tastes like an unripe walnut when raw.

The grass is formed by a low erect stem, which is framed by broad, feathery leaves. The lower leaf layer is covered with whitish hairs, and a dense rosette of leaves is formed at the base. In appearance, the plant is a bit like a thistle, as it blooms similar flowers in purple hues.

The Greek translation of Cynara means "dog" because of the fruit scales that look like sharp dog teeth. It is most popular in California, where it is widely consumed and produced for other states.

Field artichoke grows in a number of countries (Australia, South America) in the wild, where it is considered a weed with which they are fighting. Only 2 species out of 10 are grown as a vegetable - the Spanish artichoke and the prickly artichoke.

In Russia, it is cultivated in the Krasnodar Territory, where varieties of domestic selection are selected: Early purple, forming rounded inflorescences, which are green when unripe, and purple when mature. Variety Laonsky, able to withstand low temperatures and their differences. Also popular are Round Green and Maykop 41.

Benefits and harms of artichoke

The he alth benefits of a plant are related to its composition. Artichoke rich

• phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium and other macronutrients;
• manganese, zinc, iron and other trace elements;
• vitamins A, C, P, K, group B, carotene and inulin;
• various organic acids;
• essential oils contained in leaves.

The most significant include inulin, which works in two directions: it increases the number of bacterial colonies in the intestines and lowers blood sugar levels. Another important substance is cynarin, which normalizes cerebral circulation. It is a means of preventing atherosclerosis. In addition, cynarine has a diuretic and choleretic effect.

Cynara has a minimal amount of calories (less than 50 calories per 100g). This allows people who are watching their figure to lose extra pounds.

Benefits for the human body were discovered by ancient healers and confirmed over time by scientific research. Artichoke buds have:

• diuretic and choleretic effect;
• drainage effect for the liver and kidneys, which allows the removal of harmful compounds;
• the ability to lower cholesterol and uric acids;
• positive effect on male potency;
• deodorizing action to remove the smell of sweat;
• alkaline reaction after heat treatment, which reduces the level of gastric juice in excess.

Knowing the effect of a medicinal plant on the body, pharmacists have created drugs that have a beneficial effect on the liver and gastrointestinal tract. Dry and aqueous extracts of the leaves are prepared, the drink "Bitter Artichoke" is known.

Cynara has its downsides as well. An eaten small and tender vegetable will not do harm, but it is advisable to cook a large one using heat treatment: over time, it becomes stiff and becomes inedible. When the inflorescence is fully opened, and the leaves turn brown, the vegetable is not eaten.

Unpleasant consequences also include a decrease in pressure when using it, especially for those who have this indicator already low. Due to the polyphenol in the composition, due to which there is an active outflow of bile, it is undesirable to introduce it into the diet for cholecystitis and problems in the biliary tract.

The pleasant taste and smell of an unusual plant lasts for a week, after which it begins to absorb other "aromas" and moisture from the environment. It is advisable to use the prepared dish immediately, without leaving it for the next day.

Artichoke for women

In the old days, Cynara was believed to be an aphrodisiac that has a stimulating effect and promotes conception. Subsequently, these conjectures were confirmed by official medicine. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. The benefits of a healing vegetable for women are multifaceted:

1. Normalizes the reproductive organs, improves blood pressure and blood flow in the pelvis.
2. It is a prophylactic against breast cancer. With its consumption, the percentage of cancerous tumors is noticeably reduced.
3. Useful for obese people as it speeds up metabolism and breaks down subcutaneous fat.
4. Due to improved cell regeneration, reduces the number of wrinkles and gives the face a he althy color.

During the period of conception or when pregnancy is planned, it is useful for women to consume 100 g of artichoke 4 times a week. It helps to conceive a child and increases the level of folic acid, which is important for gestation. But it is not recommended during pregnancy.

Ways to use artichoke

From a he althy vegetable you can make juices and extracts, extracts and teas, each of which has its own unique effect.

Artichoke extract

To prepare an extract, use dried leaves, black resin and extract capsules. The manufacturer of such products is Vietnam. The recipe must be described on the packaging, which must be strictly followed.

A hood is useful in the following cases:

• when you need to cleanse the body or blood;
• to restore liver function;
• in the treatment of the gallbladder and ducts.

Due to the diuretic and choleretic action, s alts, toxins, and harmful compounds are quickly removed. Works effectively for thyroid dysfunction.

The finished product is diluted with boiled water. In addition, the hood has some contraindications, so you need to enlist the support of a doctor. For example, tar can cause diarrhea.

Artichoke juice

Juice is a concentrated drink that is better absorbed. The body is enriched with the necessary components in the shortest possible time. But they use it not only for the prevention of beriberi. Useful properties of juice are expressed:

• With pathologies of the oral cavity. In this case, it is mixed with honey (1:1) and rinsed out up to 4 times a day.
• With the development of impotence, when it is taken in a course of up to 2 weeks, 50 ml 2 times a day. Juice must be squeezed just before drinking.
• For constipation or flatulence, it helps with egg yolk and taken before bed.

There are cases when the juice helped with dropsy, difficulty urinating, poisoning with substances from the alkaloid group.

Artichoke tea

Tea is a drink that is useful for people as a general tonic, it also helps with many diseases. It is recommended for diabetes mellitus, high cholesterol and sugar levels, and liver pathologies. Normalizes the activity of the cardiovascular system and digestive tract.

Prepared like a traditional tea: take 2 tsp of dry leaves in a glass of boiling water and leave for 5-7 minutes. It is desirable to drink tea 3 times a day, but a single dose will also be beneficial.

Artichoke extract

Dry and liquid extracts are available. A popular extract in the form of tablets, since it is convenient to control the dosage and take for:

• improve bile production and outflow;
• normalization of the liver;
• restoring digestion after fried or fatty foods;
• normalization of cholesterol metabolism.

Liquid extract is included in the "Mediterranean diet" for people who want to lose weight, because it affects the rate of lipid metabolism. It is also useful for people whose blood sugar levels are slightly elevated. The extract has the ability to remove excess fluid from the body and is necessary in the process of natural renewal of liver cells.

Artichoke in folk medicine

The mention of the medicinal properties of the artichoke is in the ancient herbalists, when healers prepared medicinal potions from the plant. He helps:

• for various problems that occur in the oral cavity: stomatitis, thrush, cracks in the tongue;
• with dropsy, when excess fluid accumulates in the body;
• to relieve inflammation on the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, simultaneously showing the effect of pain relief;
• protect the body from food poisoning;
• for baldness, if you rub the juice into the scalp;
• in the treatment of gout and rheumatism.

The artichoke is considered a dietary product. It is perfectly digested both raw and when stewing, marinating or baking. Most often, it is included in the recipe of soups and salads, and it is useful at different stages of ripening.

Medicinal properties and widespread use are associated with the chemical composition of the vegetable, in which the substances are "selected" in certain combinations, which allows the plant to be used to the maximum to eliminate many problems in the body.

Contraindications and side effects

The number of positive qualities outweighs the number of contraindications, but it is necessary to take into account the possible harm to the body. Artichoke is not advisable to use:

1. Children under 12 years of age whose digestive system is not yet fully developed.
2. People with liver failure.
3. When blocking the bile ducts, because the vegetable stimulates the outflow of bile.
4. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, as the amount of milk is sharply reduced.
5. People who are intolerant to plant fibers as a mature vegetable contains significant amounts of them.
6. For food allergies and individual intolerances.

Try to grow an unusual and even slightly exotic product in our area and make juice as a remedy or a dish for gourmet households. If the artichoke is to your taste, then welcome to our table.

Doctors' opinion

Doctors advise constantly taking artichoke both in the form of medications and as dietary supplements to those people who live in big cities with unfavorable ecology, abuse smoking and alcoholic beverages.

However, the use of drugs should be under the supervision of a physician. Otherwise, side effects in the form of low blood pressure, frequent stools, dehydration and other dangerous manifestations can cause all sorts of complications.

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