TCM Basics 101: Supermarket Herbs - Artichoke
TCM Nature: Neutral
TCM Taste: Sweet, Bitter
TCM Meridian Affinity: Liver, Heart, Stomach
Benefits:
· Cools Liver Heat
· Tonifies Stomach
· Improves cognitive abilities
· Helps prevent cancer
· Promotes healthy digestive cycle
· Maintain regular bowel movements
Spirituality:
According to legend the Greek god Zeus turned his object of affection into a thistle, the family of plants that artichokes belong to. Despite their prickly appearance they used the plants as an aphrodisiac, diuretic, breath freshener and deodorant.
Artichoke can help with the pattern of 'choking back' our true thoughts and feelings, because we are afraid of upsetting others. Artichoke inspires us to express ourselves in ways that are authentic yet that will not create the conflicts we fear.
The delicate flower and tough many-leaved exterior of Artichoke symbolizes this herb’s ability to break through hardened rigid patterns which close the crown chakra, opening it with grace and flexibility.
