{"id":1941,"date":"2020-07-16T12:05:58","date_gmt":"2020-07-16T11:05:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/84.18.216.250\/~herbalreality\/?post_type=herb&p=1941"},"modified":"2025-04-09T16:50:53","modified_gmt":"2025-04-09T15:50:53","slug":"chicory","status":"publish","type":"herb","link":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/chicory\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicory"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":1403,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"1","beyondwords_project_id":"47224","beyondwords_content_id":"9327221d-8d0f-4394-999c-34ab36a4b43a","beyondwords_preview_token":"359d2bf9-3c66-4d7e-810c-989097ac43da","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_code":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"tags":[41,133,139,43],"conditions":[685,694,699,700],"sustainability":[1576],"sense":[18,17,31,786],"western_action":[1008,992,1132,996,1000,1001,1004,1006,1012,1013,1014,1016,1021],"chinese_action":[],"ayurvedic_action":[],"energetics_action":[1499,1498,1382,1487,1492],"region":[1893],"class_list":["post-1941","herb","type-herb","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-bitter","tag-blood","tag-chicory","tag-indigestion","conditions-digestive-system","conditions-cardiovascular-system","conditions-musculoskeletal-system","conditions-skin","sustainability-green-sustainability-status","sense-bitter","sense-aromatic","sense-astringent-taste","sense-cooling","western_action-diuretic","western_action-anti-inflammatory","western_action-antipyretic","western_action-antirheumatic","western_action-astringent","western_action-bitter","western_action-cholagogue-and-choleretic","western_action-depurative","western_action-galactagogue","western_action-hepatic","western_action-hepatoprotective","western_action-laxative","western_action-stomachic","energetics_action-astringent","energetics_action-bitter","energetics_action-cool","energetics_action-dry","energetics_action-toning","region-western-herbs"],"acf":{"last_reviewed":"20200716","herb_author":null,"banner_text":"Chicory is an easily accessible bitter remedy for digestive problems","latin_name":"Cichorium intybus<\/em>","pseudonym_name":"","family_name":"Cichorium","herb_summary":"Distinctively bold and bright with its characteristic blue flower heads, chicory is a cooling bitter for the digestion with a lingering sweetness that balances blood sugar.","key_benefits":"Balances blood sugar\r\nDigestive remedy","how_does_it_feel":"Chicory has an intense bitter taste with a sweet after taste. It could also be described as having nutty, woody, and earthy tones. Chicory root shares some similar taste qualities to ground coffee beans.<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a bitter astringent medicine, chicory offers a cooling and cleansing action upon the body systems. Herbs that have a bitter taste will directly support the function of the liver. The liver is an important organ that deals with metabolism, nutrient storage as well as detoxification. <\/span>","hdif_image_1":8437,"hdif_image_2":8142,"hdif_image_3":8440,"hdif_video":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/IXTgDJq7L2U","sense":[17,31,18,786,27],"what_can_i_use_it_for":"Bitter herbs like chicory are extremely valuable in herbal medicine as they can be taken to improve the function of the eliminatory organs such as the liver and the gallbladder. By optimising the function of the liver they are able to reduce circulatory toxins and excess heat (inflammation) throughout the body.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs a cooling bitter, chicory gently stimulates the <\/span>digestive system <\/span><\/a>whilst also being highly regarded as a herb that can help balance blood sugar levels. Chicory may also be used to help regulate the appetite and curb sugar cravings.<\/span>\r\n\r\nBitter herbs are great to incorporate into ones daily practice. By this detoxifying action, chicory will offer its benefits to all the body systems.<\/span>","into_the_heart_of":"Chicory root is considered one of the primary liver, gallbladder and spleen tonics due to its ability to stimulate the flow of bile from the gallbladder and bile ducts. By this mechanism it is understood to help purify the blood.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nIt is a mild sedative and relaxant, making this earthy root medicine excellent for a grounding effect upon the <\/span>nervous system<\/span><\/a> (3).<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn Ayurvedic medicine the leaves are ground into a paste applied to\u00a0pita\u00a0<\/em>type inflammatory skin problems, this practice is also referenced in herbal physiomedicalism references (3).\u00a0<\/span>","tradtional_uses":"Chicory was originally thought to be superior to dandelion as a bitter medicine. It has long been used as a coffee substitute or blended in with coffee. It was said to \u2018contra-stimulate\u2019 meaning that it serves to correct the excitation caused by the principles of coffee.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe uses of this herb go far back in stories of folk medicine all over Europe, it is said there is a different name for it in every European country. It was known to the Romans, with its use mentioned by Pliny (a Latin compilation of medical remedies dating to the early 4th century AD).<\/span>\r\n\r\nTraditional applications were for those who suffered with constipation, particularly where rooted in biliousness or poor liver function. It was also traditionally used in the treatment of gout and rheumatic complaints (2).<\/span>","what_practioners_say":"

\"\"<\/strong>Digestive system<\/h3>\r\nIn modern herbal medicine, chicory is used as a mild digestive tonic, much like dandelion. It is recommended for liver and kidney complaints. It is regarded as a digestive tonic, laxative and diuretic.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nChicory may be applied in hyperglycaemia characterised by an excessive appetite particularly with sugar cravings. Chicory will also reduce heat and inflammation within the digestive tract.<\/span>\r\n\r\nHerbalists may use it to<\/span> further assist the body's efforts to release and dissolve gallstones, expel excess internal mucus and treat liver complaints, such as jaundice and an enlarged liver.<\/span>\r\n\r\nIt will stimulate a dormant digestive system helping to counter-act fermentation or infection arising within the gut. It is a gentle anti-inflammatory to both the digestive, whilst also stimulating detoxification and cleansing through the liver.<\/span>\r\n\r\nIt is indicated in sluggish, inefficient digestive systems with a tendency towards dysbiosis.<\/span>\r\n

Musculoskeletal<\/h3>\r\nDue to its blood purifying action, chicory may also be used in inflammatory conditions in the musculoskeletal system such as for rheumatism and gout. This is because it improves the elimination of uric acid (3).<\/span>\r\n

Immune system<\/h3>\r\nChicory may also be indicated where there are high fevers or inflammation during an infection by helping to reduce basal body temperature.<\/span>","research":"\"\"The primary medicinal constituents in chicory are inulin, sesquiterpene lactones and pungent bitter principles. The inulin portion of the plant reduces lipid levels in the bloodstream, including cholesterol and is classed as an anti-hyperlipidemic.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe inulin also demonstrates a hypoglycemic effect through the stimulation of peptides within the <\/span>endocrine system<\/span><\/a> that are involved in appetite regulation. Chicory has the ability to inhibit prostaglandin and cyclooxygenase, influencing an anti-inflammatory affect within the body. Its bitter principle and taste acts as a stimulant to the digestive system and the liver whilst also supporting digestive bacteria.<\/span>\r\n

Metabolic health<\/h3>\r\nA systematic review that analysed the available data surrounding the research into chicory had some interesting findings. The effect of chicory on the glycemic index showed a positive improvement in the blood glucose index in 15 out of 19 studies (it had no effect in two human studies and three animal studies).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nEvaluating the effects of chicory on lipid profiles in 13 out of 15 studies the review also offers a positive result for improved dyslipidaemia. 12 studies analysed in this review show that chicory significantly reduces oxidative stress and inflammation (9).<\/span>\r\n

Constipation and prebiotic effects<\/h3>\r\nA clinical trial was carried out to investigate the effects of chicory inulin in constipated elderly people. The study was carried out as a double-blind controlled trial. The study measured bowel symptoms as well as faecal levels of bifidobacteria. The results of the study showed that supplementation with chicory insulin successfully enhanced focal bifidobacteria levels as well as improving digestion and ease of bowel movements (5).<\/span>\r\n\r\nAnother double-blind controlled trial which was carried out to evaluate the effects of chicory-derived fermentable dietary fibre on patients with chronic constipation. The study concluded that supplementation with chicory fibre improved stool frequency and significantly improved overall bowel function (6)<\/span>\r\n

Diabetes, blood sugar and liver enzymes<\/h3>\r\nA randomised placebo-controlled trial was carried out to investigate the effects of enriched chicory inulin on liver enzymes, calcium homeostasis and haematological parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. 46 diabetic females were allocated into either the chicory inulin group to take a daily dose of 10\u00a0g of chicory or the placebo group. The study was carried out over two months.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe study concludes that oligofructose enriched chicory inulin elicits positive effects upon glucose and calcium homeostasis, improved liver function tests and blood pressure with a reduction in haematological risk factors in females with diabetes. Further studies are needed to identify the effects in both genders (7).<\/span>\r\n

Menopause<\/h3>\r\nA double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design trial using oligofructose enriched-inulin was found to enhance intestinal calcium absorption and improve bone markers in healthy postmenopausal women (8).<\/span>","did_you_know":"Chicory root can be chopped, roasted and ground, with the resulting powder being added to ground coffee. This plant is primarily grown as a food crop.","additional_information_right":{"illustration":8441},"additional_information_left":{"botany":"Chicory is a perennial herbaceous plant with a characteristic bright blue flower heads that flower for only one day. It can grow up to a metre in height and produces a long tap root. Its leaves are toothed with short hairs and the fruits are a mottled brown. It is cultivated for its edible leaves and roots, but also as an ornamental flower.<\/span>","common_names":"