Artichoke Leaf

Artichoke leaf extract is an extract of the basal leaves (thistle-like leaves at the base of the stem) of the globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus).  Artichoke leaf has been found to possess greater therapeutic properties than the artichoke heart.

Artichoke Leaf is used for the treatment of these conditons:

Cholesterol:

Artichoke leaf helps to lower cholesterol levels by lowering the production of cholesterol within the body.

Artichoke leaf (in one clinical trial involving 553 patients of average age 54.7) was found to cause a significant (12.5%) reduction in serum triglycerides (from an average 215 mg/dl to 188 mg/dl), a significant (11.5%) reduction in total serum cholesterol (from an average 264 mg/dl to 234 mg/dl) and a slight increase in “good” HDL cholesterol (from an average 49.1 mg/dl to 52.9 mg/dl).

In addition, artichoke leaf exerts antioxidant effects that inhibit the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

Constipation:

In one study, artichoke leaf was given to patients with long-standing constipation for six weeks.  At the end of the study 71% of constipation patients experienced improvement using artichoke leaf.

Flatulence:

Artichoke leaf is a useful treatment for flatulence.

In one study, artichoke leaf extract was used in a six week surveillance survey in 553 patients with non-specific digestive disorders (including chronic flatulence) which they had suffered for an average of three years.  68% of flatulence sufferers experienced improvement using artichoke leaf extract.

Gallbladder Health:

Artichoke leaf extract increases the flow of bile from the liver to the gallbladder.

Indigestion:

Artichoke leaf has been proven in clinical trials to relieve indigestion.  One study found significant benefit in chronic indigestion patients after 45 days of artichoke leaf use.  Artichoke leaf is particularly beneficial for indigestion when the underlying cause of indigestion is congested liver.

Liver Function:

Artichoke leaf extract protects and regenerates the liver.  It can completely protect the body against poisoning and death from normally lethal doses of many toxins by helping the liver to detoxify many toxic substances.  In additon, artichoke leaf alleviates liver congestion and improve the flow of bile from the liver to the gallbladder.

Dosage:

2,500 - 5,000 mg per day (using crude, unstandardized artichoke leaf capsules or tablets).

480 - 960 mg per day (using artichoke leaf capsules or tablets standardized to contain at least 15% of their active component - caffeoylquinic acids).

References

Cholesterol/Triglycerides

Englisch, W., et al.  Efficacy of Artichoke dry extract in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia.  Arzneimittelforschung.  50(3):260-265, 2000.

Constipation

Gebhardt, R.  Antidyspeptic and lipid-lowering effects of artichoke leaf extract.  Journal for General Medicine.  2, 1996.

Flatulence

Gebhardt, R.  Antidyspeptic and lipid-lowering effects of artichoke leaf extract.  Journal for General Medicine.  2, 1996.

Gallbladder Health

· Kuoroda, T., et al.  Bile acids in hepatic bile in liver disease.  Acta Hepato Gastroenterol.  21:120-126, 1974.

Indigestion

· Holtmann, G., et al.  Efficacy of artichoke leaf extract in the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia: a six-week placebo-controlled, double-blind, multicentre trial.  Aliment Pharmacol Ther.  18(11-12):1099-1105, 2003.

Liver Support

· Gebhardt, R.  Antioxidative and protective properties of extracts from leaves of the artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) against hydroperoxide-induced oxidative stress in cultured rat hepatocytes.  Toxicol Appl Pharmacol.  144(2):279-286, 1997.

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