Artichokes are coming into season and that means Spring is almost here! In Chinese medicine, Spring correlates to the Wood Element which correlates to the Liver and Gall Bladder. That means issues related to the Liver and Gall Bladder become more prevalent during this time. And what better than an artichoke to soothe the Liver and Gall Bladder?

Fun Fact
Back in 1948, Marilyn Monroe's first claim to fame was being crowned
California's first Artichoke Queen.

Medicinal Benefits
Artichokes are yin and blood tonics. A yin tonic helps to build fluids and a blood tonic helps to build blood. One of the main functions of the Liver in Chinese medicine is to "free course" the Qi. When the Qi does not move freely, you get stagnation. Qi stagnation can present itself in many ways in the body - muscular pain, constipation, abdominal bloating and pain, headaches, irregular periods, breast tenderness - just to name a few. Artichokes help to promote Qi circulation. They contain a phytochemical known as cynarin, which increases bile production and aids in digestive disorders marked by poor fat assimilation. In addition, cynarin lowers blood cholesterol levels and improves blood clotting time.

Good for Diabetes
Artichokes are an excellent source of inulin. Inulin is a natural soluble fiber that’s also a sugar. Unlike other sugars, inulin doesn’t raise your blood sugar. That’s because it’s not broken down in the stomach or small intestine. Instead, it moves right through to your colon. Research found that people with and without diabetes who ate inulin had less rise in their blood sugar. The change was likely due to the way inulin slows the absorption of carbohydrates.

Good for Anemia
Artichokes are also excellent for anemia, building overall energy and as immune support.

​Did you Know...
Artichokes are among the highest in antioxidant activity.


How to Prepare Artichokes
Martha Stewart Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 medium artichokes (about 12 ounces each)
• 1 lemon, halved crosswise
• Coarse salt
• Dipping sauce  - melted butter (not the healthiest), olive oil with garlic, lemon, salt and pepper (my preference), or a yogurt lemon and dill sauce (plain yogurt, fresh lemon juice, fresh dill, salt and pepper)

Directions:

1. Prepare artichokes for steaming: Snap off tough outer leaves. Using a serrated knife cut off top 1/3 of artichoke. Snip remaining sharp or spiky tips using kitchen shears. Trim stem so artichoke stands upright. Rub cut surfaces with lemon to prevent discoloration. Repeat with remaining artichokes and lemon.
2. Set a steamer basket in a large pot; add enough water so it reaches just below the basket. Squeeze lemon juice into water and add 1 tablespoon salt; bring to a boil. Place artichokes in steamer basket, stem-side up. Cover pot, and steam until heart is tender when pierced with a tip of a paring knife, and inner leaves pull out easily, 25 to 35 minutes; add more water to pot, if necessary. Serve warm or at room temperature.

What causes gas?
Alright...lets get right to the point. Gas forms when bacteria in your colon ferment carbohydrates that aren't digested in your small intestine. Unfortunately, healthy, high-fiber foods are often the worst offenders. Fiber has many health benefits, including keeping your digestive tract in good working order and regulating blood sugar and cholesterol levels. But fiber can also lead to the formation of gas.

Here are some of the worst offenders:

• Apples
• Artichokes
• Asparagus
• Beans
• Broccoli
• Brussel Sprouts
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
  
• Cheese
• Corn
• Fruit Drinks
• Ice Cream
• Milk and Milk Products
• Onions
• Pasta
• Peaches
• Pears
• Potatoes
• Prunes
• Soft Drinks and other carbonated drinks
• Whole Wheat 

Other causes
Other causes of gas include swallowing too much air every time you eat or drink, eating too fast, chewing gum, and drinking through a straw.  Excess gas may be a symptom of a more serious chronic condition such as diverticulitis, IBS, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn's disease. Excess gas and bloating may also be a symptom of bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine from conditions such as diabetes. Food intolerance to dairy products and gluten may also cause gas and bloating. Artificial sweeteners, such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol, found in some sugar-free foods, gums and candies can cause gas and diarrhea when they are consumed. Constipation may also make it difficult to pass gas, leading to bloating and discomfort.

Remedies

• Try to identify and avoid the foods that affect you the most. 
• Try cutting back on fried and fatty foods. 
• Temporarily cut back on high-fiber foods. Add them back gradually over several weeks. 
• Go easy on fiber supplements. 
• Reduce your use of dairy products.
• Drink peppermint tea with meals. Has cooling effect.
• Drink ginger tea with your meals. Has warming effect.
• Drink chamomile tea with your meals. Has anti-inflammatory effect.
• Increase your water intake to 64 oz. daily.
• Sprinkle a handful of parsley to your salad. (No more than a handful per day).
• Eat some pineapple and papaya.
• Add dandelion greens to your diet.
• Some common spices that can reduce flatulence include black pepper, fennel seeds, caraway seeds, anise, rosemary, cardamom, coriander, basil and cloves. 
• Drink warm water with lemon juice.
• Eat some steamed or baked pumpkin.
• Take activated charcoal. Comes in capsules, pills, and powdered form.
• Exercise regularly.

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Choose remedies that appeal to you and implement into your daily life. 

May the winds be calm.  Ellie