Bratoszewice, route to Wola Błędowa

Initially it was native to Mediterranean, Iran and Central Asia; now is wide spread over the Northern Hemisphere. Possible weed! Edible plant - flower buds cooked, used as the globe artichoke substitute; stems cooked, used as a vegetable, they are a cardoon (Cynara cardunculus) substitute; leaves and young plants cooked; the petals are an adulterant for saffron, used as a yellow food colouring and flavouring; a good quality edible oil is obtained from the seeds. Herbal plant - the flowering plant is cardiotonic, and is used in some proprietary heart medicines; the juice of the plant has been used with good effect in the treatment of cancers and ulcers; a decoction of the root is astringent, it is used to diminish discharges from mucous membranes. Useful plant - an extract of the flowers, leaves and stems is used in commercial cosmetic products as a skin conditioner; the stem hairs are sometimes collected and used to stuff pillows (!).