Artichoke capsule: what it is for and how to take it

The artichoke capsule (Cynara scolymus L) is a herbal medicine indicated for poor digestion, bloating or excess gas, as it stimulates the production of bile by the liver and facilitates the digestion of foods with a high fat content.

This herbal medicine is prepared with the dry extract of artichoke leaves and can be found in compounding pharmacies, natural product stores or drugstores, under the names Alcachofra Herbarium, Alcachofra Natulab, Alcachofrax, Alcachofra Vidora or Alcachofra Multilab, for example.

Artichoke in capsules or tablets can be used to complement the treatment indicated by the doctor, and should be used with guidance from the gastroenterologist or general practitioner.

What is it for

Artichoke capsules are indicated for:

• Indigestion;
• Feeling of heavy stomach;
• Swelling;
• Excess gases.

This herbal medicine has a choleretic action that helps alleviate the symptoms of digestive problems, by stimulating the production of bile by the liver, which facilitates digestion.

Therefore, after using it, these symptoms are relieved, making food better digested and the belly becomes less bloated, in addition to facilitating the elimination of feces, due to its mild laxative action.

Furthermore, artichoke capsules can help reduce the production of cholesterol by the liver, reducing total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, which is bad cholesterol.

Artichokes also seem to help reduce blood sugar levels, and may be another source to help control blood sugar levels in pre-diabetics and diabetics.

Artichokes make you lose weight?

Despite improving digestion and helping to control cholesterol, no scientific studies prove the effectiveness of artichokes in reducing weight.

However, its use improves intestinal function, increases satiety due to the presence of fiber and helps combat fluid retention, which together with a healthy diet and physical activity, can help with weight loss. See an example of a weight loss diet.

How to drink

The artichoke capsule or tablet should be taken orally, with a glass of water, before or after the main meals of the day.

The normally recommended doses for adults are:

• Artichoke 200 mg (Artichoke Multilab or Artichoke Vidora): 2 tablets of 200 mg, 3 to 4 times a day. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 10 tablets of 200 mg per day;
• Artichoke 300 mg (Artichoke Natulab): 2 capsules of 300 mg, 3 times a day, or as directed by a doctor;
• Artichoke 335 mg (Artichoke: 2 tablets of 335 mg, every 8 hours. The maximum daily dose should not exceed 3 tablets of 335 mg per day;
• Artichoke 400 mg (Artichoke Herbarium): 1 tablet of 400 mg, 1 to 2 times a day. Do not exceed a dose of 3 400 mg tablets per day.

The length of treatment with artichokes must be guided by the doctor, and normally for the relief of digestive problems, up to 2 weeks of use is recommended, and for high cholesterol, 6 to 12 weeks.

Possible side effects

The most common side effects of artichokes are abdominal cramps, nausea, heartburn or stomach pain. Furthermore, artichokes have a mild laxative effect and can cause diarrhea.

Artichokes can also cause serious allergic reactions, especially in people allergic to this plant or to daisies, marigolds, chrysanthemums, ragweed, echinacea or other plants in the artichoke family. Asteraceae, for example. Know how to identify the symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

Who shouldn’t use

Artichoke capsules should not be used by children under 12 years of age, by people who have bile duct obstruction, liver disease, cholangitis or gallstones, allergy to artichoke or any other plant in the family Asteraceae.

Furthermore, this herbal medicine should also not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women. See other medicines that are contraindicated during pregnancy.

Artichoke capsules should be used with caution and only under medical advice by people who have high blood pressure or diabetes, as it may interfere with medications used for these health conditions, and greatly lower blood pressure or blood glucose.

Artichoke in capsules or tablets can also reduce the effectiveness of medications that interfere with blood clotting, such as acetylsalicylic acid and/or warfarin, or increase the effect of colchicine. In these cases, the use of artichokes should be avoided.