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Artichoke leaf

Artichoke leaf suppliers and sourcing guide

Artichoke leaf comes from Cynara cardunculus (often listed as Cynara scolymus), the globe artichoke, grown in Mediterranean Europe, North Africa and South America. The basal leaves are dried and sold as powder or extracted with water or water-alcohol, then concentrated and dried. Extracts are usually standardized to caffeoylquinic acids such as chlorogenic acid and cynarin, measured by HPLC.

Also known as
Cynara cardunculus · Cynara scolymus · globe artichoke leaf · artichoke leaf extract
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of artichoke leaf

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Leaf powder

    Dried, milled leaf, sold by mesh and not standardized.

  • Standardized dry extract

    Water or hydroalcoholic extract with a declared percentage of caffeoylquinic acids or cynarin by HPLC.

  • Fluid extract

    Liquid extract for tinctures and bitters, sold by drug-to-extract ratio.

  • Organic

    Leaf or extract from certified organic farms, with the organic certificate tied to the lot.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity (HPTLC)
Fingerprint against Cynara leaf reference material, confirming leaf rather than flower head or stem.
Marker assay (HPLC)
Caffeoylquinic acids, chlorogenic acid or cynarin by a named HPLC method.
Residual solvents
For ethanol extracts, results against USP <467> or the buyer's spec.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli and Salmonella (often Staphylococcus aureus too).

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Store powder and extract sealed in lined containers away from heat, light and humidity; the extract is hygroscopic. Caffeoylquinic acids degrade with heat and moisture, so reseal opened containers promptly. Suppliers set a shelf life or retest date and repeat the marker assay at retest.

Lots and expiry dates

Marker content varies with cultivar, leaf age and drying, so check each lot's assay against your spec. Record supplier lot, plant part and solvent, and rotate first-expiry-first-out.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Artichoke leaf suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

  • Bionap

    Manufacturer · Belpasso, Italy

    Sells it as altilix

    Bionap is a Sicilian producer of standardized extracts from Mediterranean plants and fruits, such as artichoke leaf, bergamot juice, prickly pear cladodes, olive leaf and mullein, for supplement, personal care and animal health makers.

Suppliers are in alphabetical order and none pays to appear. Each claim is checked against the supplier’s own website on the date shown. Ask for the specification sheet and a recent COA before you order, and confirm details with the supplier.

Frequently asked questions

What forms of artichoke leaf can brands buy?

Common forms include leaf powder, standardized dry extract, fluid extract and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for artichoke leaf include?

Expect identity (HPTLC), marker assay (HPLC), residual solvents, heavy metals and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should artichoke leaf be stored?

Store powder and extract sealed in lined containers away from heat, light and humidity; the extract is hygroscopic. Caffeoylquinic acids degrade with heat and moisture, so reseal opened containers promptly. Suppliers set a shelf life or retest date and repeat the marker assay at retest.

What is the regulatory status of artichoke leaf?

21 CFR 172.510 lists artichoke leaves (Cynara scolymus) among natural flavoring substances, limited to use in alcoholic beverages. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists artichoke leaves (Cynara scolymus) with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 172.510. Health Canada's globe artichoke natural health product monograph lists Cynara cardunculus with the dried or fresh leaf as the source part.

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