9 facts about the benefits of artichoke for the liver + a review of medicines based on it

In addition to its culinary value, artichoke is widely used in folk medicine. But traditional medicine does not ignore its medicinal properties either.

The cinarin, inulin, phosphates and a complex of organic acids contained in artichoke have a powerful hepatoprotective effect, due to which doctors recommend using it as an auxiliary agent in the treatment of certain liver diseases.

One study indicates that eating artichoke improves the condition of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease ( NZHBP ).

Other research confirms the protective properties of artichoke in acute alcoholic liver damage.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at the benefits and harms of this plant for the health of the liver and other digestive tract organs.

9 medicinal properties of the plant

Artichoke has the following positive effects on the liver and gastrointestinal tract:

1. Has a protective effect on the liver. Artichoke is one of the most powerful natural hepatoprotectors. With its help, healers treat liver failure even in advanced stages, when the body simply does not perceive many medications.
2. Helps the liver produce bilirubin, cholesterol, and some hormones. This is facilitated by a combination of vitamins and organic acids, which are part of the kidneys and cones of artichoke. This indirectly helps to normalize glycemic metabolism, lower blood sugar levels.
3. Stimulates the formation and outflow of bile. Artichoke contains about 6-8% of bitter ingredients, including cinarin. It is from them that bile is synthesized, its outflow into the gastrointestinal tract is stimulated. All this in total contributes to the cleansing of the liver and the overall improvement of digestion. Also, the choleretic effect helps to prevent the formation of gallstones.
4. Suppresses the course of inflammatory processes. Flavonoids contribute to this, which are also found in abundance in artichoke (more in young undeveloped buds, slightly less of them are already in the cones themselves). This helps to reduce the intensity of liver inflammation in hepatitis. And tea made from young artichoke leaves is excellent for eliminating pain from gastritis or ulcers of the stomach, duodenum. Unlike the kidneys, the leaves contain much fewer bitter components, so they practically do not have a choleretic effect.
5. Reduces the concentration of urea and cholesterol in the blood. Phosphates contribute to this. And urea , and cholesterol are the components that most "pollute" the liver and urinary system, in particular, the kidneys.
6. Normalizes water-salt metabolism in the body. This is achieved due to the pronounced diuretic effect. Even weak tea made from artichoke leaves helps to get rid of swelling of the lower extremities.
7. Eliminates dyspeptic disorders. Therefore, artichoke is recommended to be included in a diet aimed at normalizing digestive function. It is especially effective for bloating, constipation, nausea and vomiting.
8. Helps to get rid of extra pounds. Due to the presence of bitter esters in the composition, artichoke reduces appetite, and at the same time improves the quality of digestion of food. Regular inclusion of this plant in the diet will allow you to maintain a slim figure without much difficulty.
9. Eliminates dehydration. The cones and kidneys contain a large amount of potassium, slightly less sodium. Therefore, with the same alcoholic intoxication, artichoke-based tea quenches thirst very well, prevents stagnation of derivatives of ethyl alcohol in the gastrointestinal tract.

Indications for admission

In traditional medicine, artichoke-based medicines are prescribed for the treatment of the following diseases:

1. Hepatitis;
2. Cholangitis;
3. Cirrhosis (only in the initial stage, in advanced cases – only as prescribed by the attending physician);
4. Dyspeptic disorders;
5. Inflammatory diseases of the urinary system.

And in folk medicine, the plant is also recommended for:

1. Stomatitis and inflammation of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity, throat (rinsing);
2. Gastritis;
3. Constipation;
4. Nausea;
5. Alcohol intoxication (to protect the liver from the effects of toxins).

Artichoke is also often recommended on thematic forums for those who have impaired lipid metabolism and this is accompanied by an unpleasant smell of sweat. After 2-3 weeks of regular tea intake, the patient's condition will significantly improve.

Contraindications

Artichoke is not recommended to be included in the diet in the presence of the following factors and diseases:

1. Pregnancy and lactation (breastfeeding);
2. Individual intolerance (allergy);
3. Liver diseases in which the organ's functionality is radically disrupted;
4. Cholelithiasis (due to the choleretic effect, blockage of the bile ducts can be provoked);
5. Parkinson's disease.

5 folk recipes

In folk medicine, there are a lot of artichoke-based remedies for the treatment of liver diseases. Among them, the most effective are:

1. Medicinal decoction. Fresh artichoke leaves are used for its preparation. 1 tablespoon of these is ground through a sieve, poured with 250 milliliters of water and brought to a boil over low heat. After cooling, strain through ordinary gauze, you should not unnecessarily try to get rid of the sediment. Take 80 milliliters 3 times a day. The course lasts 1.5 weeks, followed by a break of 2 weeks. Such a remedy has a restorative effect on the liver without a pronounced choleretic effect.
2. Tea. For its preparation, you can use dried unripe kidneys. They are carefully ground to a powder state, then tied into small gauze bags to make something like tea bags. The optimal dosage for one of these is 1.5 grams. Next, pour 200 milliliters of boiling water, let it stand for 10-15 minutes, add honey to taste. Oddly enough, this tea goes well with milk and cream. It is recommended to drink 1-2 cups of tea per day for 3 weeks, followed by a 2–week break. Tea is suitable for eliminating inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, for normalizing digestive function and cleansing the liver of toxins. You can also drink it for prevention.
3. Tincture. To prepare the tincture, it is the artichoke root that is taken. It will take about 80 grams of this. It should be thoroughly washed, get rid of the top layer – the peel. Next, finely chop or grate (but not with a blender or meat grinder). The resulting chips are put into a glass container, filled with 1 liter of fortified red wine. Insist in a dark, cool place for at least 2 weeks, shaking the tincture regularly. Next, strain and squeeze. The finished tincture is taken 1 tablespoon 3 times a day. The course lasts for 3 weeks, then a break for at least 1 month. This extract from artichoke helps especially well with low acidity, normalizes liver production and protects liver cells from oxidation and destruction. It combines well with milk thistle tincture.
4. Infusion. For its preparation, fresh leaves, stems and inflorescences are crushed. 10 grams of such "porridge" is poured with 1 cup of boiling water, infused for 15-20 minutes in a closed container. Drink the finished product in two doses during the day, preferably before meals. Before use, preheat to a temperature of 40-45 degrees. The infusion helps to cleanse the liver of toxins, slow down the course of inflammatory processes, including hepatitis. The course of treatment is 3 weeks, followed by a break of 20 days. It is recommended to take 3 such courses annually.
5. Alcohol tincture. For its preparation, dried unripe artichoke buds are taken. 50 grams of these are poured with 100 milliliters of alcohol. It is recommended to insist as long as possible, but not less than 5 days. It is not worth straining. Take 1 tablespoon of tincture, stirring it in 1 cup of warm water. Drink 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 7 days, followed by a break for at least 2 weeks. It is not worth abusing this tincture, since it has a mild irritating effect on the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract.

Review of 5 Artichoke-based Liver Medications

Artichoke is extremely actively used in traditional medicine, a lot of drugs for the treatment of liver diseases are made on its basis. As an example, the following can be cited:

1. Cynarix. A complex drug prescribed for diseases of the liver and biliary tract. Its short-term use is allowed for dyspeptic disorders (when there are pronounced symptoms of gastrointestinal tract disorders).
2. Artichoke. DIETARY supplement based on dry extract from artichoke buds. It is used to treat hepatitis, cirrhosis, cholecystitis, chronic nephritis, and some acute kidney diseases.
3. Artichoke Sandoz. Is an analog of Artichol, but with a higher concentration of the active substance. Indications for use are similar to Artichol.
4. Gepabel. Belgian preparation in capsules or tablets based on artichoke, which is used to treat chronic nephritis, kidney and liver failure, cirrhosis, hepatitis and other liver diseases.
5. Hepacinar. It is based on an extract from artichoke leaves. Accordingly, it has a positive effect on liver function, protects organ cells from destruction, but at the same time – without pronounced choleretic effect.

Interesting video

We suggest watching this video:

;

Conclusion

In total, artichoke is one of the most beneficial plants for the liver. If you believe the doctors, then regular consumption of it can reduce the likelihood of cirrhosis by almost 4 times, which is especially important for patients with diabetes mellitus or those who previously suffered from alcohol dependence. And with all this, there are very few contraindications for eating artichoke. It can be eaten at any age, including when following a dietary diet.