A.Vogel Artichoke • Milk Thistle Boldocynara® Complex from Artichoke, Milk Thistle, Boldo & Dandelion Used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve minor digestive disturbances, such as dyspepsia. Used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve minor digestive disturbances, such as dyspepsia. Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) The well-known effects of Artichoke on the liver are probably due to its phenolic acids (chlorogenic, caffeic and cynarine), sesquiterpenes, and flavonoids (scolymoside, cynaroside and luteolin). Artichoke extract relieves dyspepsia by stimulating bile production and excretion (choleretic and cholagogue effects). Artichoke is also effective against hypercholesterolemia.(1) Thanks to the antioxidant effects of the flavonoids, Artichoke, a bit like Milk Thistle, has very interesting hepatoprotective properties.(2) This effect was demonstrated against an industrial solvent, carbon tetrachloride.(3) Traditionally, Artichoke is used as an aperitive, a depurative and a diuretic. The German Commission E acknowledges its benefits in cases of: dyspeptic problems. Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) Milk Thistle is probably the most powerful herb for liver detoxification. It relieves dyspepsia, acts as a hepatoprotective agent and even helps to regenerate hepatocytes (liver cells) in cases of cirrhosis and hepatitis. Milk Thistle is also recommended to treat mushroom poisoning by death cap (Amanita phalloides). It is used to treat liver complaints from loss of appetite to chronic inflammatory conditions. Its main constituents are flavolignans (silybin, isosilybin, silychristin and silydianin) collectively known as silymarin. (See Milk Thistle information sheet) The German Commission E acknowledges its benefits in cases of: dyspeptic complaints; toxic liver damage; supportive treatment in chronic inflammatory liver disease and hepatic cirrhosis. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) Dandelion is a very interesting herb for the digestive system. Its root has cholagogue and depurative properties for the liver. The bitter constituents, collectively called taraxacins (sometimes eudesmanolides), have a beneficial effect on slow digestion. Dandelion leaf is one of the best herbal diuretics. It is also a very good source of carotenes and potassium. The whole herb is used for loss of appetite, dyspepsia, flatulence and feelings of fullness after meals. The German Commission E acknowledges its benefits in cases of: disturbances in bile flow, edema, loss of appetite, and dyspepsia. Boldo (Peumus boldus) Boldo is a South American herb used to relieve intestinal cramps, bile flow problems and cystitis. Boldo has diuretic, sedative (antispasmodic), bile stimulating and antiseptic effects. Its main constituents are alkaloids (responsible for the digestive and liver stimulation) and a volatile oil (responsible for the antiseptic effect). The German Commission E acknowledges its benefits in cases of: mild spastic complaints of the gastrointestinal tract and dyspepsia. Composition Each tablet contains dry extract of: Medicinal ingredients: Artichoke leaf*♣ (Cynara scolymus)(1.674:1)....4.6 mg equivalent to 7.7 mg of dry leaf; Boldo leaf (Peumus boldus)(5:1)...0.7 mg equivalent to 3.5 mg of dry leaf; Milk Thistle fruit (Silybum marianum)(25:1)...3.2 mg equivalent to 80 mg of dry fruit; Dandelion root & leaf*♣ (Taraxacum officinale)(2.917:1)...1.2 mg equivalent to 3.5 mg of dry root and leaf * Certified organically-grown by: CH-BIO-006 /♣ Fresh Non-medicinal ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, hydrogenated cottonseed oil. Dosage Adults: Take 1 tablet twice daily, 15 minutes before a meal. Duration of use: Consult a healthcare practitioner for use beyond 6 weeks. Historical overview Fat digestion has always been a source of problems. Thermal cures, clysters (enemas) and all those treatments answered the need of many engorged livers. Today, the innumerable food additives, trans fatty acids and fried foods, not to mention pollutants and stress, compromise liver function. Medicinal herbs like Artichoke, Boldo, Milk Thistle and Dandelion are a safe and effective response to this age-old problem. Scientific studies In a double blind placebo-controlled study published in 2000, 143 patients with high cholesterol received either an Artichoke extract or a placebo. Patients taking the Artichoke extract saw their LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) reduced by 22.9% compared to 6.3% with the placebo. No side effects were reported.(1) Milk Thistle's regenerative properties have been confirmed by many scientific studies.(4-5) Milk Thistle helps to control the characteristic auto-intoxication and hyperinsulinemia of cirrhotic patients. Its hepatoprotective effect has been evaluated on Hungarian workers exposed to industrial solvents containing toluene. After 30 days of treatment with Milk Thistle, all liver function parameters (blood enzymes) and blood platelets were significantly improved.(6) Over a 6 week period, an open, multi-centre clinical study was performed in 5 general practices in Switzerland to test both the efficacy and safety of A.Vogel Artichoke - Milk Thistle Boldocynara Complex. According to patients’ assessment the frequency of their digestive disorders was reduced by 78 % (sumscore SF-LDQ) after 6 weeks treatment. Considering the interference of their digestive disorders with their normal activities, patients noted an even higher reduction of the impact by 81 % (sumscore SF-LDQ). Tolerability was rated as good or very good by 89 % of physicians and by 91 % of patients 75% of patients would take Artichoke - Milk Thistle - Boldocynara® Complex tablets again(9). Precautions, contraindications and interactions Consult a healthcare practitioner prior to use if you have gallstones, liver or gall bladder diseases, impaired kidney and/or liver function, and/or intestinal obstruction. Do not use if you have bile duct obstruction. Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not use if you have an allergy to Asteraceae/ Compositae (daisy) family and in case of known allergy to any of the ingredients in the product. Hypersensitivity (e.g. allergy) has been known to occur; in which case, discontinue use. Consult a healthcare practitioner if symptoms persist or worsen. Do not use if safety seal is broken. Keep out of reach of children. References 1-Englisch W, Beckers C, Unkauf M et al. Efficacy of Artichoke dry extract in patients with hyperlipoproteinemia. Arzneimittelforschung 2000 Mar;50(3):260-5. 2-Gebhardt R. Antioxidative and protective properties of extracts from leaves of the Artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) against hydroperoxide-induced oxidative stress in cultured rat hepatocytes. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 1997;144:279-86. 3-Adzet T,Camarasa J and Laguna JC. Hepatoprotective activity of polyphenolic compounds from cynara scolymus against CCl4 toxicity in isolated rat hepatocytes. J Natural Products 1987;50(4):612-7. 4-Velussi M, et al. Long-term (12 months) treatment with an anti-oxidant drug (silymarin) is effective on hyperinsulinemia, exogenous insulin need and malondialdehyde levels in cirrhotic diabetic patients. J Hepatol, 1997; 26: 871-79. 5-Salmi HA, Sarna S. "Effect of silymarin on chemical, functional, and morphological alterations of the liver. A double-blind controlled study." Scand J Gastroenterol, 1982; 17: 517-21. 6-Szilard S, Szentgyorgyi D, Demeter I. Protective effect of Legalon (Milk Thistle extract) in workers exposed to organic solvants. Acta med Hung 1988;45(2):249-56. 7-The Complete German Commission E Monographs, Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Blumenthal M et al 1998. American Botanical Council, 6200 Manor Rd, Austin, Texas, 78723. 8-Natural Medicines Comprehensive DataBase 2001. Pharmacist's Letter 3120 W. March Lane, PO Box 8190, Stockton, CA 95208 9-Bommer S, Klein P, Suter A. A multicentre open clinical trial to assess the tolerability and efficacy of Boldocynara®, a traditional herbal preparation for functional digestive disorders. Planta Med 2013; 79 - PB1