The Miracle of the Artichoke
According to Wikipedia, the artichoke is a perennial hemp leaf plant that originates from Southern Europe (around the Mediterranean) and was grown by the Ancient Greeks and the Ancient Romans for its edible flowers. In Vietnam, Artichokes live in temperate climates such as Da Lat (Lam Dong), Quan Ba (Ha Giang), Sapa (Lao Cai), and Tam Dao (Vinh Phuc). Until now, artichokes grow in many places, including deltas like Hai Duong, where it flourishes.
Botanical characteristics of Artichoke
Artichoke is a large herb that grows from 1 - 1.2 meters to 1.5 - 2 meters high. The stalk is tall, straight and stiff, with longitudinal grooves, covered with cotton-like hair. The leaves are large with an alternate growth pattern that measure 50 - 80 cm long. The leaf blade is deeply lobed and has irregular teeth, while its upper surface is green, and the underside has little white hairs, and the petiole is large and short. The flower cluster is large and head-shaped, grows at the tip and is a brilliant purple-red or light-violet. The outer bract of the inflorescence is wide, thick, and pointed, and the base of the flower cluster is covered with fluff, bearing all tubular flowers. The fruit is smooth, and is a dark brown color with a white crest.
Uses
Artichoke is good for the liver and has many health benefits, including its use for cancer prevention.
Cancer Prevention
Of all vegatables, artichokes have the highest antioxidant content! Antioxidants can build up our immunity against the effects of free radicals that lead to a number of harmful diseases in the body. This antioxidant property comes from a number of substances found in artichokes, including polyphenols. Poluphenols have cancer-preventing properties, meaning that they can slow, stop, or completely reverse the effects of cancer in any patient. In addition, the antioxidant capacity of the artichoke also comes from its high quercetin and rutin content. These are two special antioxidants that have been shown to reduce the risk of developing cancer.
Nutrients for the Liver
For centuries, artichokes have been used for liver nutrition. The artichoke contains cynarin and silymarin, two antioxidants that have the ability to improve liver health by reducing toxins by helping to remove them from the liver and the body. Several studies have shown that these antioxidants can actively promote redevelopment and repair of damaged liver cells.
Ms. NTH is a testimony of the miracles of medicinal artichoke, and has beat cancer for over 12 years thanks to it. She says:
During 12 years of fighting cancer, artichoke flower helped to filter the liver and I always recovered quickly after each chemotherapy. This has been demonstrated many times through blood test results. After each chemotherapy treatment, usually my liver enzymes are very high. The doctor is concerned that if the liver enzymes are persistently high, it will interrupt the next round of chemotherapy and the treatment results will be affected. After drinking the artichoke flowers, the liver enzymes levels were quickly lowered. The doctor was very surprised with the results of the blood test and he asked me to confirm this miracle plant so that we could tell other patients about it.
Ms. NTH suggests boiling fresh (or dry) artichoke flowers and drinking 2 liters a day.
How to prepare artichoke flowers
Boil fresh flowers and drink. Boil 2 small flowers, or 1 big flowers. The flower should be boiled a second time because the sweetness remains in the flower after the first cooking. After boiling fresh flowers and drinking, pick out each petal and then dry it and save it. You can purchase more flowers as these are drying. After they dry, boil the dry flowers to drink. The market always sells both fresh and dried flowers.
Be cautious
The dosage of artichoke may be different for different patients. Dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and other considerations. Discuss with your doctor to find the right dose.
