The Benefits of Artichoke Tea
Artichokes are increasingly being recognized as vegetables with a high concentration of antioxidants, and artichoke tea is one of the best ways to reap their benefits. This concentration of phytochemicals explains the popularity of artichokes as an herbal remedy dating back to the days of Ancient Greece.
Humans can ingest artichoke by eating it raw or cooked (steamed, baked, boiled, grilled, microwaved) or in teas, powders and tinctures. Artichoke tea is one of the best ways to get your antioxidants. Some people say the tea has a chocolaty taste.
It’s quite easy to make artichoke tea. The quickest way is to take a spoonful of mashed up artichoke leaves and steep them in around sixteen ounces of boiling water. The tea should be ready in twenty minutes. Drink this over two sittings, not all at once. If you usually buy your tea in bags, you can find artichoke tea at health food stores or buy it from online tea merchants. Steep an artichoke tea bag for around four to five minutes in hot water.
Artichoke tea is one of the most popular herbal teas in Vietnam (Dalat region) and other Asian countries. It is made there from the flowers and roots of the artichoke plant. It is quite sweet and has no caffeine. Tea drinkers indulge in the tea whether hot or cold, though most drink it hot. It is not known how the tea affects pregnant women. Check with your doctor to make sure you are not allergic to artichokes, which are in the aster or daisy family.
Artichokes are full of vitamins, particularly A and B-complex vitamins. They are also a good source of fiber and such minerals as iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. Artichoke tea has more antioxidants than other types of tea, chocolate, red wine, blueberries or coffee.
Among the benefits of artichoke tea are the improvement of liver function, lowering of cholesterol levels, prevention of heart disease, birth defects and certain cancers, treatment of hepatitis, and the improvement of digestion. Artichokes are low in calories at around 60 for one of medium size. This makes them a good choice for dieters and others who for various reasons must consume fewer calories.
When you drink artichoke tea, you also get a wealth of other nutrients. Some research indicates artichokes can help lower blood sugar levels and aid the symptoms of IBS--irritable bowel syndrome. They are an excellent source of vitamin C which can help protect from cancers and some viruses. Folic acid, which pregnant women need to have healthy babies (prevents birth defects), also can be sourced from artichokes.
Drinking artichoke tea or eating plenty of artichokes may be helpful if you frequently over-indulge in alcohol consumption. When used by people who have cirrhosis of the liver, artichokes increase the flow of bile and result in better liver function. Artichoke tea can additionally help treat nausea and vomiting, heartburn and bloating.
Because of the sweetness of artichoke tea, most people do not use a sweetener in it. The tea can also leave a sweet taste in your mouth which can affect foods you eat with the tea or following it. The same thing happens with artichokes themselves. Never have a glass of wine when artichokes are on the dinner menu. This occurs because of an antioxidant, the phytochemical cynarin, which is naturally in artichokes.
In olden days, such as in Ancient Greece, artichoke tea was used most often to treat digestive problems. As scientists learn more and more about antioxidants and disease, foods and drinks made from artichokes may be used to cure many more ailments. Add artichoke tea to your list of nutrient-rich foods and drinks to try.