Medicinal plant: CHICORY

Scientific or Botanical name: Cichorium intybus

Chicory is native to Mediterranean regions, chicory is now naturalized in many parts of Europe, North America, and Australia. It is cultivated as a vegetable—usually by producing chicons in complete darkness- and  is also grown as a coffee substitute. Chicory grows naturally in the fields, roadsides and vacant land and planted. Chicory is an excellent raw food leaves eaten raw in salads, and  it has a high concentration of vitamin "A" and promotes growth in children.

Source: Home Herbal

The flower heads, which bloom throughout the summer, are 3/4 - 1 1/2 in (2-4 cm) wide with two rows of involucral bracts: the outer are short and spreading while the inner are longer and erect. The bright sky-blue flowers can be added to the leaves to make a tea that aids digestion. Chicory prefers fertile, moist, but well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in full sun.  Growing habits tap-rooted, clump-forming perennial with a spread of 18 - 24 in (45-60cm). Dead-head the flowers regularly, as the plant can be a prolific self-seeder. Lift the roots in early spring in the second year. The leaves can be collected during summer. 

The part of the Chicory used are the root, leaves and flowers. Chicory is a refreshing herb digestive, appetizer, laxative, tonic, antiscorbutic, diuretic, liver, cleanses the blood and kidneys. Chicory cleans the liver and stimulates appetite. Chicory is highly recommended in the diet of those suffering from deficiencies of liver, bilious people, hysterical, suffering from amenorrhea and blockage of the ovaries temperament. Chicory has a good effect in cases of difficult digestion, skin diseases, rheumatism, gout, worms, hypochondria and stomach astriction. Purifies the kidneys, spleen and liver, expelling urine gall on abundant and all other substances that cause disease. The plant is extremely bitter, so it makes an excellent digestive stimulant and tonic, and is also a gentle laxative suitable for children. 

Its leaves are sudorific, cleansing, laxative and diuretic properties. It can be used in bathrooms and soaks in certain cases of skin conditions. The decoction of the leaves of the chicory used to cure colic bladder. They have a bitter taste and can be boiled to improve their flavor. The bitter leaves can be blanched and then sautéed with garlic and red peppers or anchovies and served with pasta. Chicory roots should be dry and chopped for use in healing firings. Salads should be prepared with tender stems tender leaves can be used.

HOW TO USE

Decoction

Drink 1/2-1 cup (2 tsp root per cup boiling water) 3 times daily as a stimulating tonic for the liver and digestive system. Use 1/2-1 cup of a quarter- to half- strength or less decoction 1-2 times a day for constipation. Chicory also contains oligo-saccharides, which are probiotic and help to maintain healthy gastrointestinal flora. 

Infusion

Drink 1 cup (2 tsp leaves and flowers per cup of boiling water) 3 times daily to improve digestion. 

Tincture

Take 20-40 drops (1-2m1) of the root tincture 3 times daily as an appetite stimulant. 

Fluid extract

Extracts have been successfully used for parasitic worm infections in sheep and cattle, although there is little research as to the effect on human parasites. 

Source: Home Herbal

Medicinal application:

Gallstones: 15 grams billet chicory root in a cup of water are boiled for three minutes. It is taken twice daily.

Kidney stones: Infusion of 15 grams of dried leaves of chicory in a bowl of boiling water, allowed to stand 15 minutes. a cup is taken three times a day.

Indigestion: After ten minutes after meals with a cup made with 10 grams of dried leaves of chicory.

Inflammation of the liver: Chicory root in fresh and in decoction for 10 minutes at a dose of 40 grams per liter of water is purifying, diuretic and anti inflammatory liver.

External applications:
Mourners outside body parts and paralyzed with fresh juice or a decoction of chicory rubs members. The leaves can also be used in bathrooms and soaks in certain skin conditions.

Preparation of tea:
In 1 liter of water are used 10 to 15 grams or 20 grams of leaves of chicory root. They leave and root infusion is prepared as cooking.
Taken daily two or three small cups or tablespoons every hour.

Other:
Smoking: who want to quit smoking occasionally chew a small piece of chicory root when you invade the cravings and so stop smoking.

Precautions: 
From the root of chicory coffee substitute is obtained. It should not be taken in excessive amounts.