Improper use of these "cooling" products can also cause the body's organs, especially the liver and gallbladder, to work harder, inadvertently causing harm...

·

Artichoke (scientific name Cynara scolymus) is a perennial thorny plant native to Southern Europe (around the Mediterranean) that was cultivated by the ancient Greeks and Romans for its flowers, which were used as a vegetable. Artichokes can grow up to 1.5 to 2 meters tall, with leaves 50-80 cm long.

Nowadays, artichokes are cultivated not only for their bracts and flower bases for consumption but also for medicinal purposes. Artichokes help lower cholesterol and urea levels in the blood, stimulate bile production and secretion, and act as a diuretic. They are commonly used to promote bile flow, relieve urinary problems, and treat liver and kidney diseases. Although cynarine has been synthesized, preparations from fresh artichoke leaf extract are still widely used. Globally, Chophytol, a product of Rosa (France), is the most commonly used.

Artichoke is a medicinal plant native to the Mediterranean region, introduced to Vietnam by the French hundreds of years ago in temperate climates such as Da Lat (Lam Dong), Sapa (Lao Cai), and Tam Dao (Vinh Phuc). Today, artichokes are grown in many places, including lowland areas like Hai Duong, where they thrive.

The flower clusters and bracts have fleshy bases and are often used as vegetables and medicine. Leaves are harvested when the plant is about to flower or has just flowered, and are used as medicine. Artichoke leaves are harvested in the first year of growth or at the end of the flowering season. When the plant flowers, the content of active ingredients decreases, so leaves are usually harvested before the plant flowers. Some sources suggest harvesting young leaves before the plant flowers. In Da Lat, people harvest the leaves about a month before the Lunar New Year.

Regarding pharmacological effects

Scientists from France, the former Soviet Union, Japan, and Switzerland have demonstrated the specific effects of artichoke: Intravenous injection of artichoke solution increases bile secretion fourfold after 2-3 hours. Oral or injectable artichoke solution lowers blood cholesterol and urea levels. It increases urine output and urea content in urine. Artichoke flowers have anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering effects. Artichoke is non-toxic. Artichol injection and oral tablets are refined artichoke products.

After 30 years on the French market, *re-examination of its pharmacological and clinical effects has shown that it does not have the same effect as the previously tested artichoke extract solution. (Therefore, France has stopped producing Artichol).

Application

Artichoke flowers and bracts are used as vegetables. They can be cooked in soups or stews with pork bones or pork liver, and are very nutritious. For diabetic patients, they help lower blood sugar levels. Additionally, they have liver-cleansing, laxative, diuretic, and detoxifying effects. Artichoke leaves (and total extract preparations such as liquid, concentrated, and dried artichoke extracts) have diuretic effects, increase bile secretion, promote bile flow, and lower blood cholesterol. They also protect the liver against toxins (due to the presence of 6 polyphenols, 10 alkaloid compounds, and flavonoids).

However, when using it as medicine, it must be used in moderation and not abused. Even eating too much at a meal can lead to indigestion, and eating an overly lavish meal can easily lead to acute pancreatitis. Therefore, it's important to use it appropriately; otherwise, risks such as reduced appetite, or even loss of appetite, may occur. When you stop using it, things return to normal, and you eat more. In some cases, you may experience constant bloating and discomfort. You may not want to touch anything at mealtimes, even though your eyes are still craving food – these are cases of prolonged and frequent abuse of artichoke tea. This is because it causes spasms in all the smooth muscles of the digestive tract. This is the cause of bloating and abdominal distension if artichoke is consumed excessively.

Improper use of this "cooling" product can cause the body's organs, especially the liver and gallbladder, to work harder, inadvertently causing harm rather than providing therapeutic benefits. Furthermore, artichokes have a cooling nature, making them unsuitable for people with digestive problems or other gastrointestinal issues.

On the other hand, artichokes have the functions of promoting bile flow, diuresis, nourishing the liver and kidneys, calming the nerves, and lowering cholesterol in the blood, so they are often used to treat diseases caused by liver dysfunction such as jaundice, nephritis, and atherosclerosis... However, overuse of artichokes can cause spasms of all the smooth muscles of the digestive tract. This is the cause of bloating and abdominal distension. When too much is consumed and the body cannot absorb it all, the liver and kidneys have to work harder to eliminate the excess. "Thus, you might think that drinking a lot is good for the liver, but in reality, it's harmful."

On the other hand, while artichoke tea contains a lot of iron, it lacks other minerals such as zinc and chromium. Therefore, excessive consumption of artichokes can lead to loss of appetite and a lack of enjoyment in eating. Although artichokes are not toxic, they have a bitter taste. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the spleen and stomach prefer sweet tastes to bitter ones, so prolonged or large-scale use can damage the stomach. Studies show that allergic reactions to artichokes are rare; however, frequent contact with artichokes can sometimes cause allergies. There have been cases of cross-sensitivity to chrysantheme, arnica, and pyrethrum (active compounds in artichokes). Therefore, large or frequent consumption is not recommended.

However, regardless of the type of tea, it must be metabolized by the liver before it can have the desired effect. The liver even has to work twice because every active ingredient, whether a synthetic chemical or a derivative from natural sources, must be transformed again by the liver into a non-toxic form for the body before being excreted. Therefore, overusing artichoke will increase the burden on the liver.

Therefore, you should only use 10-20g per day brewed with water if using fresh herbs, or 5-10g if using dried herbs. For packaged tea, 2-3 bags per day is sufficient.

According to Agriculture - NT