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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.


CARDOON
COMPOSITAE
(Cynara cardunculus)
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Images

A spiny leaved perennial which was grown as a vegetable by the Greeks and Romans.

NEEDS: A great deal of room! This plant gets quite large. Planting requirements are the same as celery (in trenches) being spaced 2 feet apart and, if grown in rows, then rows need to be 6 feet apart.

USES

CULINARY:
In Portugal the dried flowers (and the down) are used as rennet in cheese making; a strong infusion is prepared by allowing to sit overnight, then added to fresh, warm milk at the rate of 1/2 pint to 14 gallons milk.
The blanched inner leaf stalks and top of the stalk (receptacle) have been eaten in soups, stews and salads.
Also see: Globe Artichoke (C. cardunculus, Scolymus Group)

DYE:
The plant produces a yellow dye.



©2000 & 2005 by Ernestina Parziale, CH

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