Summary

In Europe, where artichoke leaf has a long history as an herbal medicine, vague digestive symptoms are commonly attributed to inadequate flow of bile from the gallbladder. Evidence tells us that artichoke leaf does indeed stimulate the gallbladder, and the release of bile counteracts excessive stomach acids or excessive fats to cure bloating, belching, and gas. Artichoke leaf may lower cholesterol, but, unlike statin drugs, it will not lower cholesterol below healthy levels. In a clinical study involving volunteers who had high cholesterol, artichoke leaf lowered total cholesterol 18.5% as compared to 8.6% in the placebo group; LDL cholesterol by 23% vs. 6%; and LDL-to-HDL ratios by 20% vs. 7%. In a follow-up study with volunteers who already had healthy cholesterol, it had no effect.