What is Jerusalem Artichoke?

(Helainthus tuberosus)

Despite its name, there actually does not appear to be any connection between this plant and Jerusalem. European settlers called the plant Girasole, the Italian word for sunflower. (The Jerusalem artichoke is a type of sunflower, in the same genus as the garden sunflower Helianthus annuus.) Over time the name Girasole may have been corrupted to Jerusalem.

What does Jerusalem Artichoke do?

• DIGESTIVE TONIC / PREBIOTIC 

• Jerusalem Artichoke is a rich source of FOS (Fructooligosaccharides) a non-digestible carbohydrate. FOS passes virtually unchanged to the colon, where it is fermented and used as a fuel by beneficial bacteria, particularly bifidobacteria. FOS can help promote up to a ten-fold increase in the growth of bifidobacteria as well as other useful bacteria such as lactobacilli.

• BLOOD SUGAR REGULATION 

• Experimental studies with FOS in animals suggest a possible benefit in lowering blood sugar levels and in reducing elevated blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

• WEIGHT CONTROL 

• improvements in colonic function along with improved blood sugar control and reduced triglyceride levels are beneficial factors in helping normalise body weight.

• IMMUNE SUPPORTIVE 

• Recent observations demonstrate that prebiotics and probiotics may exert beneficial effects on gut health by enhancing gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) responses either directly or indirectly through the production of short-chain fatty acids and the enhanced growth of lactic bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.

• CARDIOVASCULAR SUPPORT 

• FOS can also decrease triglycerides, phospholipids, and very-low-density lipoproteins in serum by lowering lipogenesis in the liver.

• MINERAL ABSORPTION 

• Studies suggest that FOS may promote intestinal absorption of iron, calcium, and magnesium and thus help prevent anaemia and loss of bone density. The ingestion of moderate doses of FOS has been found to improve intestinal magnesium (Mg) absorption and status in postmenopausal women. Because of the important role of Mg in many cellular functions, such Mg absorption improvement may be particularly interesting when the dietary intake of Mg is limited.

  Dosage - Organic tincture: 15-30 drops two to three times daily, in a little fruit juice or water.
  At high doses, FOS intake can result increased flatulence causing intestinal discomfort. These doses vary widely from person to person.

  Potential applications of Jerusalem Artichoke

• Weight control, appetite control, constipation, diarrhoea, anti-infective, mineral absorption (osteoporosis), antibiotic adjunct treatment, IBS, diverticulitis, colitis, cholesterol reduction.