Globe Artichoke

Globe Artichoke
Cynara scolymus L.
Asteraceae Family

Description of Globe Artichoke

Globe artichoke is a perennial herbaceous plant, 1.6–6.6 ft (0.5–2 m) tall, with a thick taproot. Stems are erect, grayish-green, fleshy. Leaves are large, up to 31.5 in (80 cm), bipinnately lobed, sometimes spiny, white-pubescent underneath. Flowers are blue-purple, 2.4–4.7 in (6–12 cm), gathered in spherical heads up to 9.8 in (25 cm) in diameter. Fruits are achenes, 0.24–0.31 in (6–8 mm), brown or gray, with a white pappus. Cultivars: ‘Romanesco’, ‘Violetto’, ‘Imperial Star’. Flowering occurs in June–August, fruiting in August–September.

 

Distribution and Ecology of Globe Artichoke

Globe artichoke originates from the Mediterranean and Ethiopia. It grows wild in Southern Europe, North Africa, and Southeast Asia. It is cultivated in Italy, Spain, France, the United States, and parts of Australia and South America. It requires a warm climate (68–86°F or 20–30°C), sandy or loamy soils (pH 6.0–7.0), and irrigation of 4–5 gal (15–20 L) per plant every 7–10 days. It is sun-loving, needing 8–10 hours of sunlight. Propagated by seeds or rootstocks. Yield: 5–12 heads per plant (2.2–4.4 lb or 1–2 kg). Care includes phosphorus and potassium fertilization (0.35–0.53 oz/m² or 10–15 g/m²) and protection against aphids and powdery mildew. It is used in ornamental landscaping and for soil stabilization on slopes.

 

Raw Materials from Globe Artichoke

Raw materials include flower heads (anthodium Cynarae), leaves (folia Cynarae), and seeds. Heads are harvested before flowering (June–July) when scales begin to open, dried at 104–122°F (40–50°C), yielding 10–15%. Leaves are collected before flowering, dried at 86–104°F (30–40°C), yielding 15–20%. Seeds are dried at 86°F (30°C), yielding 20–25%. Quality standards: heads free of rot, fleshy; leaves green; moisture <12%. Store in airtight containers (heads: 2–3 months at 34–36°F or 1–2°C; dried leaves/seeds: 1 year). Aroma is herbaceous, taste slightly bitter.

 

Chemical Composition of Globe Artichoke

Flower heads contain proteins (2–3%), carbohydrates (10–15%), inulin, fiber, vitamins (C 3–11 mg/100 g, B1 0.18 mg/100 g, B2 0.05 mg/100 g, carotene 0.4 mg/100 g), cynarin, and minerals (potassium 370 mg/100 g, calcium 44 mg/100 g, magnesium 60 mg/100 g). Leaves contain flavonoids (cynarin, cynaroside), phenolic acids (caffeic, chlorogenic), tannins, and inulin. Seeds contain fatty oil (30%). Head calories: 50–60 kcal/100 g (fresh), 250–300 kcal/100 g (dried).

 

Uses and Benefits of Globe Artichoke

Globe artichoke has choleretic, diuretic, hepatoprotective, and hypocholesterolemic effects due to cynarin and inulin. It is used in traditional remedies for liver diseases (hepatitis, cholecystitis), gallstones, atherosclerosis, diabetes, allergies, psoriasis, eczema, nephritis, edema, and rheumatism. Heads and leaves normalize cholesterol and uric acid levels and improve digestion. Recommended dose: 3.5–7 oz (100–200 g) of heads daily or 1.7 oz (50 ml) of leaf infusion. Consult a healthcare professional before medicinal use.

 

Precautions for Using Globe Artichoke

Consuming >10.6 oz (300 g) of fresh heads daily may cause diarrhea or bloating. Overripe heads are unfit due to potential toxicity. Store juice at 32–41°F (0–5°C) for no longer than 24 hours. Limit children aged 3–6 to <1.8 oz (50 g) of heads daily. Prolonged use of leaf infusions (>2 weeks) requires medical supervision. Wash heads thoroughly to remove pesticides.

 

Contraindications for Using Globe Artichoke

Globe artichoke is contraindicated for allergies to Asteraceae, acute hepatitis, bile duct obstruction, gastritis with low acidity, acute stomach or duodenal ulcers, pregnancy, lactation, and children under 3 years.

 

Medicinal Recipes with Globe Artichoke

1. Head decoction for cholecystitis. Boil 0.7 oz (20 g) dried heads in 6.8 oz (200 ml) water for 10 minutes, drink 1.7 oz (50 ml) 3 times daily 15 minutes before meals for 7–10 days.
2. Leaf infusion for atherosclerosis. Steep 0.35 oz (10 g) dried leaves in 6.8 oz (200 ml) boiling water for 30 minutes, drink 1.7 oz (50 ml) twice daily for 10–14 days.
3. Juice for stomatitis. Mix 1.7 oz (50 ml) fresh juice with 0.35 oz (10 g) honey, rinse mouth 3 times daily for 5–7 days.
4. Extract for edema. Steep 0.35 oz (10 g) dried leaves in 3.4 oz (100 ml) 70% alcohol for 7 days, take 10 drops with water twice daily for 7–10 days.

 

Cosmetic Uses of Globe Artichoke

Globe artichoke is used for moisturizing, cleansing, and rejuvenating skin due to cynarin and vitamins.

1. Moisturizing mask. Mix 0.7 oz (20 g) head flesh with 0.34 oz (10 ml) honey, apply to face for 15 minutes, rinse with warm water, twice weekly.
2. Toner for oily skin. Mix 1.7 oz (50 ml) head juice with 1.7 oz (50 ml) water, wipe face 1–2 times daily after cleansing.
3. Infusion for pore cleansing. Steep 0.35 oz (10 g) dried leaves in 6.8 oz (200 ml) boiling water for 30 minutes, wipe face twice daily for 10 days.
4. Rejuvenating mask. Mix 0.7 oz (20 g) head flesh with 0.35 oz (10 g) yogurt, apply to face for 15 minutes, rinse, once weekly.

 

Culinary Uses of Globe Artichoke

Flower heads, young leaves, and stems are used raw, cooked, or preserved. The flavor resembles an unripe walnut.

1. Artichoke salad. Mix 7 oz (200 g) cooked heads with 1.7 oz (50 g) olive oil and 0.34 oz (10 ml) lemon juice, serve chilled.
2. Stuffed artichoke. Boil 4 heads in salted water with citric acid for 20 minutes, stuff with 1.8 oz (50 g) sautéed mushrooms and onion, top with 0.7 oz (20 g) sour cream, sprinkle with dill.
3. Creamy artichoke soup. Cook 10.6 oz (300 g) heads with 6.8 oz (200 ml) cream and 17 oz (500 ml) vegetable broth for 20 minutes, blend, serve warm.
4. Preserved artichoke. Soak 17.6 oz (500 g) heads in marinade (6.8 oz or 200 ml water, 1.7 oz or 50 ml vinegar, 0.35 oz or 10 g salt), store in sterilized jars.

Tips: Store fresh heads at 34–36°F (1–2°C) for up to 3 months, dried leaves for up to 1 year. Remove fibrous choke before cooking.

 

Other Uses of Globe Artichoke

It is used in ornamental landscaping and for soil stabilization on slopes.