Artichoke
Botanical Name: Cynara scolymus
Family: Asteraceae
Other Names: Bur artichoke, Cynara cardunculus, globe artichoke
Description: Perennial up to 2m high. Flower: thistle like, purple overlapping bracts. Petals blue-white. Leaves: pinnate, prickly
Native to: Mediterranean
Cultivation: Deep rich soil full sun
Parts Used: Leaves, flowers
Action: Anti-emetic, choleretic, digestive
Constituents: Sesquiterpene lactones including cynaropicrin, dehydrocynaropictin, cynaratriol, grossheiman. Caffeic acid derivations –chlorogenic, neochlorogenic, cryptochlorogenic acid, cynarin. Flavonoids – cynaroside, scolymoside, cynarotrioside. Volatile oil –alpha selinene, caryophyllene, eugenol
Culinary Uses: Boiled