This large, spiny, perennial member of the sunflower family is native to the Mediterranean area and northern Africa. Artichoke plants are known to be a good source of insulin, flavonoids, and phyto-sterols. They also contain sesquiterpene lactones, which gives artichoke plants a bitter taste.

The main medicinal part of the artichoke plants is the leaf, which can be prepared as an extract.

Historically artichoke has been used for intestinal distress. The Greeks and Romans used it as a diuretic and choleretic (bile-producing agent that aids digestion). Other traditional uses of artichoke concern liver and digestive health. Research has found that artichoke leaf extract supplementation is correlated with lower cholesterol levels and positive effects on blood lipid composition. Artichoke leaf extract is also used for digestive complaints. [These brief notes about artichoke are from cms.herbalgram.org¹.]