The Benefits of Chicory: Learn What Chicory Can Do For Your Health.
What Is Chicory?
“What is chicory?” some may ask. Chicory may be best known as a caffeine-free coffee substitute with all the warnings about how bad caffeine is for you today. Many people are trying to avoid caffeine and have turned to this easily obtained herb as a replacement that offers a rich, mellow taste without the caffeine. Chicory is a member of the daisy family that has pretty, blue flowers that have an internal clock causing the flowers to open in the morning and close in the early afternoon. It is native to Europe but was brought here to the States in the late 19th century where you can now find it growing wild on roadsides, riverbanks and in fields.
Chicory also has many uses as an herbal remedy. The roots can be roasted and ground as a coffee substitute or dried and used for herbal remedies, while the leaves can be used in poultices or added to salad. The flowers can also be used in salads or in potpourris.
Benefits of Chicory
Chicory contains chicoriin and intybin which help stimulate the appetite and promote digestion and also contains inulin which aids in digestion. It relieves arthiritis pain and gout and acts as a liver tonic by helping to clear up toxins in the blood. This detox effect helps clear up acne. Chicory can be used as a mild laxative and as headache reliever or externally as a compress for arthritis as it helps to reduce inflammation.
Uses Of Chicory
Chicory tea can be used to improve digestion by simmering one teaspoon of the dried root in one cup of water for ten to fifteen minutes and then strain and drink one cup one half hour before mealtimes. This effect can be enhanced by adding equal parts of dandelion root and St. John’s Wort. Use one teaspoon of the dried herb blend per one cup of hot water as above.
Wine can also be made for constipation by soaking a quarter cup of the chopped, dried root in one and a quarter cups of white wine. Strain after ten days and drink one small glass before mealtimes.
You can relieve arthritis pain by using 20-60 drops of a tincture that you can by in health food stores up to four times a day. Skin inflammations such as acne and eczema can be cleared up by soaking a clean cotton cloth in the tea and then applying to the affected area until the symptoms clear up.
Disclaimer
The information in this article should not be considered medical advice. The information in this article is not meant to treat, diagnose, prescribe or cure any ailment. Always check with your physician before taking any products or following any advice you have read on
Brighthub.com. Always consult your doctor before you start, stop or change anything that has been previously prescribed. Certain herbs and holistic remedies are unsuitable to take if you are pregnant or nursing and must always be cleared by your doctor before use.