When and how is it best to drink artichoke tea? — Artichoke, grass 25 gr LekraSet (lat. Cynara)

According to the label, artichoke tea is drunk 30 minutes before meals — half a glass 3 times a day; it is particularly valued with a fatty or heavy diet. This is the context in which it is traditionally used in European herbal medicine: the cynarin and phenolic compounds it contains are involved in metabolic processes related to the digestion of fats.

In practice, it looks like this: pour a glass of boiling water over 1.5 teaspoons of the chopped herb, cover with a lid, leave to steep for 5 minutes and drink half a glass at a time, slowly; keep the rest in a cool place for no more than 2 days.

The drink has a herbal taste with a pronounced bitterness — this is normal for artichoke and not a sign of poor quality. The bitterness can be softened slightly by adding a slice of lemon. Sweeteners such as honey are also acceptable if you find the bitter taste unpleasant.

Artichoke is also often drunk in courses — for example, during periods when your diet becomes particularly rich. The frequency according to the label is 3 times a day; the length of the course is best checked with a specialist, especially if you have chronic conditions or take medicines. The drink is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for children under 12.