The plant has small blue flowers, and can be found in woody areas. Growing up to 5’ in height with strong taproots, this weed thrives in light.
Chicory has a mildly taste and the root is much the same medicinally as the root of the dandelion, having a cleansing action in the liver, stomach and kidneys and the whole urinary tract.
As a treatment for gout, rheumatic conditions and general aches and pains of the joints, chicory was once considered to be a herb particularly appropriate for the elderly and was also used as a gentle laxative for children.
Chicory root extracts, according to science, has many health benefits as it is prebiotic in nature and protects the digestive system. It has anti-fungal, antioxidant and anti-cancer properties.
The fiber from this root is purported to have numerous health benefits and often extracted for use as a food additive or supplement.
One-half cup of 1-inch pieces of raw chicory root (45g) provides 32 calories, 0.6g of protein, 7.9g of carbohydrates, and 0.1g of fat. Chicory root is a good source of calcium, phosphorus, and folate. The leaves of this plant are similar to dandelion, therefore can be used in salads. The leaves are high in thiamin, niacin, and zinc. It’s also an excellent source of Vitamin A, C, E and K.
A tea of leaves and flowers – ¼ cup mixed leaves and flowers with 1 cup boiling water poured over it and left to stand for 5 minutes, sweetened with a touch of honey if desired – is the way to treat any of these ailments and usually no more than 1 cup a day needed.
The tea is slightly laxative and safe for children, made as a standard brew and ½ a cup given at a time to children under 10 years of age.
Mothers in medieval France and England grew chicory in their cottage gardens, which they used for purging and for flushing out of bladder and today’s research verifies these uses.
Chicory contains inulin which can help with digestion, inflammation, and lowering blood sugar. It literally washes out bladder and colon, clears infections, acts as a strong tonic and increases the flow of bile. Inulin is a type of fiber known as a fructan or fructooligosaccharide, a carbohydrate made from a short chain of fructose molecules that your body doesn’t digest.
Around AD 23-79, chicory juice mixed with strong vinegar and a little rose oil was used to treat headaches.
Herbal drinks of chicory
