| Centuries ago, the ancient Romans used
Chicory as a blood purifier and for food, Chicory is so plentiful in North
America that you would believe it to be native to this part of the world. It is
in fact native to Europe and was imported to this country during the eighteenth
century by colonists. In recent times, herbalists have recommended tonics made
from the roots for laxatives and poultices made from leaves to treat
inflammations. It has also been discovered that the juice made from the leaves
and the flowering plant can be taken as a tonic which works to stimulate the
production of bile, the release of gallstones and the elimination of excessive
internal mucus. Chicory taken as a tonic helps to eliminate phlegm from the
stomach and helps with stomach upsets. Chicory helps to reduce uric acid in the
body thereby, eliminating the conditions which contribute to gout. It helps to
treat rheumatics and works to bring relief for joint stiffness. The sap of the
Chicory stems is used to treat skin irritations that are a result from poison
ivy or sunburn. Chicory has many of the constituents of Dandelion and they are
often used together.
Consider chicory if you have a liver or heart problem. In one
lab test, chicory extract prevented death in mice that were loaded up with
lethal doses of acetaminophen. (In high doses, acetamiriophen is toxic to the
liver.) Some 70% of the chicory eating mice survived the deliberate overdose.
All the mice that did not ingest chicory died. Chicory also could be our best
source of inulin, a phytochemical that bucks up the immune system, leading it to
speed white blood cells to infectious sites. Its cichoric acid also stimulates
the immune system. Other compounds in the plant fight inflammation and bacterial
infections to a limited extent. In addition, they deter water retention, counter
constipation, and help lower cholesterol and blood sugar.
Conventional cardiologists often prescribe digitalis to stimulate the heart. You
shouldn't medicate yourself if you have a heart problem, but an experienced
herbal physician might include chicory as part of a natural complement of herbs
to help treat heart disease and wean you off pharmaceuticals.
Chicory is also known as:
Cichorium intybus, Blue-Sailors, Coffee weed
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