Artichoke (Cardoon) leaf powder – Cynara cardunculus

A close relative of the cultivated artichoke, cardoon grows wild around the Mediterranean basin. Harvested at maturity, the leaves are slowly dried and then finely ground into a powder for quick and versatile use, particularly in herbal teas and cosmetics.

Description

Green to olive-brown powder with an intense, bitter, and herbal aroma. It mixes easily into water or can be encapsulated for direct application. Ideal for simple, precisely dosed applications.

Nomenclature

• Common names: Artichoke, cardoon, wild artichoke
• Latin name: Cynara cardunculus
• Family: Asteraceae
• Part used: Leaf
• Form: Powder
• Origin: Mediterranean, Southern Europe
• English name: Wild artichoke leaf powder
• German name: Kardonenblattpulver
• Name in Spanish: Polvo de hoja de cardo
• Name in Italian: Polvere di foglia di cardo
• Name in Arabic: مسحوق ورق الخرشوف (Mas'houq Waraq al-Kharshouf)

Main virtues

Prized for its richness in natural bitters, artichoke leaf powder is used in herbal tea blends, traditional capsules, and homemade herbal masks. It pairs well with other plant or mineral powders.

Main constituents

Cynarin, chlorogenic acid, flavonoids, tannins, plant fibers.

Use and dosage

• Infusion: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon per cup, infuse for 8 to 10 minutes covered.
• Encapsulation: 300 to 500 mg per vegetable capsule, 1 to 3 times per day depending on use.
• Cosmetic: base for purifying mask or plant poultice.

Precautions, side effects and contraindications

• Strong bitter taste, dose carefully according to sensitivity.
• Avoid if known to be allergic to Asteraceae.
• Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women without professional advice.

History and origin

Cultivated since ancient times by the Greeks and Romans, cardoon was already valued for its digestive properties and bitter taste. Its powder is now appreciated for modern uses, inspired by traditional herbalism and natural care.

Miscellaneous information

• Storage: in an opaque, airtight container, away from air and heat.
• Packaging: kraft bag, tinted jar or metal box.
• Appearance: Fine olive green to brownish powder.
• Odor: bitter, vegetal, slightly earthy.

Sources and references

• Pl@ntUse – https://uses.plantnet-project.org
• Corpus of ancient and medieval herbalism
• Ethnobotanical references from the Mediterranean region
• Works on traditional European herbal medicine

🔎 Information

The products on aromacentre.fr are not medicines. They are natural, plant-based treatments. All usage advice on our site is for informational purposes only. Any additional requests should be made to a qualified healthcare professional. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods, we are unable to publish this information on the site. Taking this product does not exempt you from consulting a doctor or prescribing it. Ask your doctor or healthcare practitioner for advice. Be sure to read the precautions for use before using any medicinal plants. The use of herbal preparations is not recommended without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with medications prescribed by the patient, reducing their therapeutic effectiveness or causing toxicity. They can also worsen the weakening of the body's vital functions, thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life-threatening risks.

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