Other Names: Alcachofa, Alcaucil, ALE, Artichaut, Artichaut Commun, Artichaut Sauvage, Artichoke Extract, Artichoke Fruit, Artichoke Leaf, Artichoke Leaf Extract, Artischocke, Cardo, Cardo de Comer, Cardon d'Espagne, Cardoon, Cynara, Cynara cardunculus, Cynara scolymus, Extrait d’Artichaut, Feuille d’Artichaut, Garden Artichoke, Gemuseartischocke, Globe Artichoke, Kardone, Tyosen-Azami.<br>
[[File:Globe-Artichoke-benefits.jpg|thumb|350px|left|ArtichokArtichoke]]
==Special Precautions of Artichoke==
* Artichoke is safe in the amounts used in foods. It is POSSIBLY SAFE when used as a medicine. It has been used safely in research for up to 23 months.
*Gallstones: Artichoke might make gallstones worse by increasing bile flow; use artichoke with caution.
==The benefits of Artichoke are==
Artichoke has chemicals that can reduce nausea and vomiting, spasms, and intestinal gas. These chemicals have also been shown to lower cholesterol.While many people's favorite part is the heart, it is the leaves that contain many of the artichoke's powerful health benefits. It contains a phytonutrient called cynarin that helps offer relief by stimulating the production of bile.
* Upset stomach symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, gas, and stomach pain, when artichoke leaf extract is used. Improvement can take up to 2 to 8 weeks of treatment.
*High cholesterol. Taking a specific artichoke extract (Valverde Artischocke, Novartis Consumer Health) seems to modestly reduce total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, and the LDL/high density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio over 6 to 12 weeks of treatment.