Artichoke
Artichoke
The
artichoke
is
a
herbaceous plant very close to the
thistle
common
in terms of morphology. It is generally believed that the
alcachofera
is
a
horticultural product born of man by experimentation. As
a
plant sprout again every year last
winter
and misses
a
large rosette of leaves are deeply divided segmented
though
less than those of the
thistle
and with fewer
thorns
.
These leaves are light green and covered in the lower face of some very fine white hebrillas, which are like
a
cobweb that more white the color of the leaves. The stem is round, with
a
few leaves, and at the top appear very large cones that are artichokes, covered with numerous bracts coriaceous.
It blooms in
summer
. For purposes of collecting foodstuffs interested in the cones,
but
for medicinal purposes is preferred to collect the road, this characteristic
has
a
bitter
taste, very strong and persistent. It is better to pick the leaves of the first year, since they are much richer in active ingredients.
In the composition of the
alcachofera
are like phenolics caffeic acid, chlorogenic and cinarina, which is
a
mixture of two acids. There are also some flavonoids and acids. The properties have cinarina colerética and colagogas, hepatoprotective and
cholesterol
levels. Artichokes, like the ribs of
thistle
, are an excellent food, especially for diabetics as they contain inulin instead of starch. The syrup
was
found in the leaves and flowers in the
flower
receptacle and even in the stalk that sustain them. In addition, the
artichoke
is hypoglycemic, meaning that decreases the amount of sugar in the blood.
A
latest discovery in connection with the road the
alcachofera
refers to the properties it
has
in the states artery, and in its preliminary stages. This is due to their action on the metabolism of the aurea and
cholesterol
. It also said that the fleshy bracts of the cones, raw foods, have an inhibitory action on acid secretion in the
stomach
,
but
this
has
yet to be studied. In general is especially good at:
anorexia
,
dyspepsia
,
hepatitis
and other
liver
problems
; cholelithiasis, oliguria and constipation. Is contraindicated during lactation, as
bitter
that the principles incorporated in its composition can pass into milk.
Juice of leaves:
This is the most recommended
home
remedy. The juice is extracted from fresh leaves of the
alcachofera
and mixed with sugar water or wine to mask the
bitter
taste. To this juice
was
decongest the
liver
and you reduce the sugar in the urine of diabetics.
Infusion:
It took 10 gr. of fresh leaves and added to
a
liter
of boiling water; this infusion can have
a
cup before the main meal. If the infusion will be used as hepatoprotective, it can double the amount of fresh leaves. The bitterness can mask with
mint
.
Fluid extract:
From 30 to 45 drops, two or three times
a
day.
Hepatoprotective. Laxative. Diuretic.
Related Products