Artichokes were popular in many kitchen gardens from 1600-1800 due to their long season. The leaves were rarely used as they were thought by many to be too hard. Most recipes focused on using the heart of the Artichoke, and these were a popular addition to stews and pies. One early modern writer even recommended using the root of the Artichoke as a deodorant, describing how he found it useful to minimise the smell of his armpits!
Please note this information is research based on historic documents….and is not modern advice for health and wellness!