The amazing benefits of artichoke

Artichokes are a healthy food, and dishes made from artichokes are quite popular.

Artichokes also have health-protective effects, cool the body, and especially help us fight and prevent certain diseases such as cancer, and restore liver function…

According to traditional Chinese medicine, artichoke leaves have a bitter taste, are diuretic, and are used to treat edema and rheumatism. Besides eating the flower heads and leaves, artichokes are also used as a diuretic and cholagogue, to treat liver and kidney failure, acute and chronic nephritis, and joint swelling. The stems and roots of the artichoke are also thinly sliced, dried, and used similarly to the leaves.

Artichokes contain minerals such as manganese, phosphorus, and iron, as well as vitamins A, B1, B2, and C, providing 50-75 calories. Cooked artichoke flowers have nourishing and energizing effects, stimulate digestion and appetite, benefit the liver and gallbladder, support heart health, act as a diuretic, detoxify the body, and increase milk production in breastfeeding mothers (when stewed with pork trotters).

Artichokes also have health-protective effects and help cool the body (photo: KT).

The usable part is the fresh or dried leaves, which are decocted or boiled into a liquid extract, with a dose of 2-10g of dried leaves per day. Sometimes, they are processed into soft or dry extracts for the preparation of tablets, subcutaneous or intravenous injections. A special liquid extract can also be prepared for use in droplet form.

Artichoke leaves are bitter, have diuretic effects, and are used in the treatment of edema and rheumatism. Fresh or dried leaves are decocted or boiled into an extract to treat liver diseases (chronic hepatitis, jaundice), acute and chronic nephritis, and joint swelling. The medicine has a mild laxative and blood-purifying effect on children.

Artichokes are considered a "miracle cure" for liver disease because they cleanse toxins from the liver. Since the liver is responsible for filtering and eliminating toxins, it is easily susceptible to liver poisoning. Your skin's health also depends on the health of your liver and digestion. Therefore, artichoke tea will greatly improve your skin. If you get used to drinking artichoke tea, you'll find its taste quite rich, pleasant, and delicious. Artichokes make skin smoother and brighter because they cool the liver, relieve heat, eliminate toxins, and help reduce acne and dryness.

The stems and roots of the artichoke plant are thinly sliced ​​and dried; their uses are similar to those of the leaves. Artichoke flowers are used in cases of liver pain, stomach pain, indigestion, insufficient milk production in postpartum women, diabetes, gout, rheumatism, and general weakness.

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 found in artichokes).

Traditional medicine experts also warn that users should not overuse artichoke vegetables and teas, as excessive consumption can lead to side effects such as liver damage, spasms of the smooth muscles of the digestive system, bloating, and fatigue.

Doctors warn against overusing artichoke. A daily dose of 10-20g brewed with water is recommended if using fresh artichoke, or 5-10g if using dried artichoke. Even with packaged tea bags, 2-3 bags per day is sufficient.

According to VOV.VN