Description

The globe artichoke, which has the species name Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus, is one of the most popular types. This species is also known as the French artichoke or green artichoke.The name artichoke comes from the  word articiocco, which is most likely influenced by the word ciocco, meaning “stump.” The globe artichoke — the kind most often eaten today — is from the thistle species, a group of flowering plants characterized by leaves with sharp prickles on their margins.

The edible portion of the artichoke, usually called the “artichoke heart,” is actually the bud of the artichoke flower, formed before the flower begins to bloom. The budding flower head is a cluster of many small budding flowers, along with the edible base of the plant.

An artichoke plant can grow to be six feet in diameter and three to four feet in height.

Artichokes are plants in the daisy family. Used by the ancient Romans to help digestion, artichokes are one of the oldest medicinal plants. Artichoke leaf extract may relieve indigestion, lower cholesterol and promote liver health.

Benefits

1. High antioxidant content

2. Antibacterial and antifungal

3. Concentrated source of amino acids

4. Contains FOS

5. Supports growth of probiotics

6. Stimulates production of liver bile

7. Fights glycation

8. May help with IBS symptoms

9. May reduce gastric muscle spasms

10. Liver protectant

11. Weight loss

12. May lower LDL cholesterol

13. May increase HDL cholesterol

14. Diabetes

15. Nootropic

16. Cancer research