What is it used for?
Used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve digestive disturbances/dyspepsia [Source note 2].
Used in Herbal Medicine (as a choleretic) to help increase bile flow [Source note 3].
Source of antioxidants/Provides antioxidants [Source note 4].
Source of antioxidants/Provides antioxidants that help fight/protect (cell) against/reduce (the oxidative effect of/the oxidative damage caused by/cell damage caused by) free radicals [Source note 5].
Note: The above uses can be combined on the product label if from the same system of medicine (e.g., Used in Herbal Medicine to help relieve digestive disturbances and to help increase bile flow).
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years and older
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Dried leaf
Methods of preparation: Powdered, Non-Standardized Ethanolic Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract)
Antioxidant
Not to exceed 10 grams of dried leaf, per day [Source note 6].
Digestive disturbance/dyspepsia/Help increase bile flow
0.6 - 10 grams of dried leaf, per day [Source note 7].
Method of preparation: Soft extract concentrate*
Antioxidant
Not to exceed 2.1 grams of soft extract concentrate, per day; equivalent to a maximum of 7.35 grams of dried leaf, per day; and do not exceed 0.7 grams of soft extract concentrate, per single dose [Source note 8].
Digestive disturbance/dyspepsia/Help increase bile flow
0.7 grams of soft extract concentrate, 3 times per day; equivalent to 5.25 - 7.35 grams of dried leaf, per day [Source note 9].
*Note: solvent: ethanol 20% (V/V) in water [Source note 10].
Methods of preparation: Dry*, Non-Standardized Aqueous Extracts (Dry extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)
Antioxidant
Not to exceed 10 grams of dried leaf, per day [Source note 11].
Digestive disturbance/dyspepsia/Help increase bile flow
1.5 - 10 grams of dried leaf, per day [Source note 12].
*Note: Dried leaves should be prepared as an infusion or decoction by consumers prior to use (see direction for use).
Fresh leaf
Method of preparation: Dry extract*
Antioxidant
Not to exceed 2.7 grams of dry extract, per day; equivalent to a maximum of 94.5 grams of fresh leaf, per day; and not to exceed 900 milligrams of dry extract, per single dose [Source note 13].
Digestive disturbance/dyspepsia/Help increase bile flow
200 - 900 milligrams of dry extract, 3 times per day; equivalent to 9 - 94.5 grams of fresh leaf, per day [Source note 14].
*Note: solvent: water [Source note 15].
Method of preparation: Soft extract concentrate*
Antioxidant
Not to exceed 1.8 grams of soft extract concentrate; equivalent to a maximum of 54 grams of fresh leaf, per day; and not to exceed 600 milligrams of soft extract concentrate, per single dose [Source note 16].
Digestive disturbance/dyspepsia/Help increase bile flow
600 milligrams of soft extract concentrate, 3 times per day; equivalent to 27 - 54 grams of fresh leaf, per day [Source note 17].
*Note: solvent: water [Source note 18].
How is it used?
Loose dosage form (for infusion/decoction)*
Place [insert volume to be measured by consumer, e.g., X teaspoons] of dried leaves in [insert the volume of water, e.g., ½ cup (125 mL)] of boiling/cold water. Infuse for [e.g., 5-15 minutes]/Bring to a boil and let simmer for [e.g., 10-20 minutes]. Strain and drink.
*Note: This direction of use statement can be modified on the label provided that it gives clear instructions to consumers.
How long is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Warnings and precautions
All products
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant [Source note 19].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have gallstones [Source note 20].
Digestive disturbance/dyspepsia/Help increase bile flow
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
When should it be avoided?
Do not use if you have a bile duct obstruction [Source note 21].
Possible side effects
Stop use if hypersensitivity/allergy occurs [Source note 22].
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cynara cardunculus |
| Cynara cardunculus | Leaf |
|
References: Proper name: USDA 2024; Common names: Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Source information: EMA 2018; Bradley 2006; ESCOP 2003; Blumenthal et al. 2000.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- January 30, 2026
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
Taking a medication too?
Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.