The Chicory Plant

(Western Herb)

Cichorium intybus

The Chicory plant is also known as Succory, Wild Succory, Blue Dandelion, Blue-Sailors, Coffee weed, and Endive.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION AND INFORMATION:

The Chicory plant is a perennial and somewhat of a scraggly plant. It has sky-blue flowers with long, narrow leaves that grow from 2 to 6 feet and has a large taproot that is milky inside.

Its flowers bloom in mid to late summer until the first frost. It is a member of the daisy family and grows in North America alongside roads, fencerows, fields, and gardens. It is also native to Europe and Asia.

The Chicory plant is known best as an additive for coffee and helps the body to absorb calcium. It has a bitter taste and a temperature of cold.

TARGET AILMENTS:

Take internally for:

* increasing the appetite

* aiding digestion

* dyspepsia

* rheumatism and gout

* jaundice

* liver and kidney ailments

* slowing a rapid heartbeat

Apply externally for:

* skin inflammations.

* skin lacerations

* swelling

PREPARATION AND DOSAGE:

Over the counter: available in bulk green, leaves, dried roots and extract in health food stores.

At home:

Decoction: Add 2 teaspoonful of rootstock or herb to one cup of cold water; bring to a boil and strain. Take 8 to 12 ounces per day, a mouthful at a time.

Nutrition and Diet: Squeeze 1 tablespoon of juice from the Chicory stem and take it in milk or water three times a day. You can also use the fresh greens in a salad, or sauté them as a side dish.

Parts used: Flowering herbs, leaves, roots

Collection: Chicory roots are harvested in the Fall when they are two to three years old. To be able to use as a herbal medicine the seeds of Chicory are not allowed to go to seed.

Constituents: Bitter principles (lactucin and lactucopicrin), inulin, maltol

Actions: Antioxidant, diuretic, laxative, tonic

SIDE EFFECTS:

Not serious:

* When taken in recommended doses, there are know known side effects.

* If you have Gallstones, use only under the supervision of a physician.

CAUTION: * Rare allergies and allergic reactions have been reported from handling this plant.