Cynara scolymus, commonly known as artichoke, is an edible perennial plant from the Mediterranean region and is widely cultivated worldwide. The edible part of the plant is the flower head before the flowers bloom. The flower heads are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. It can also be dried and made into an herbal tea. Artichoke is one of the oldest medicinal plants used as a digestive aid, to treat liver complaints, and to enhance gallbladder function. In Western Herbal Medicine, it is used in chronic liver disease, diabetes, and gallstones.