Chihorium Intybus Health Benefits

Spread throughout the world and known from Antiquity for its therapeutic usages, chicory (Chihorium intybus) was used by the old Egyptians to treat the liver and gallbladder problems. They believed that the herb could purify the blood and eliminate the toxins from the liver and for that reason consumed chicory in large quantities. In France during Napoleonic times the chicory was used as a coffee substitute. England and the United States soon followed this example.

While the root of this herb is used as a coffee substitute, the other parts are used either in cooking (especially in salads), either as medicine. Compared to real coffee, chicory stimulates the nervous system by sustaining the mental capabilities and concentration. This herb is also recommended in fighting the sleepy states and asthenia. Owing to the substances that it contains (like chicorine and choline) the herb shows laxative-like characteristics.

Under the influence of the compounds with bitter taste, the digestion is stimulated and also the drainage of the liver and spine. These compounds reduce hunger but stimulate the sensation of fullness. In this sense a short rise of hunger followed by a considerable diminution of hunger was noticed. Chicory helps the body to better absorb calcium and other minerals.

When administrating the treatments based on chicory, in cases of people with a noticeable appetite, it is recommended that it should be done between eating hours. If the goal is to stimulate the appetite, the chicory mixtures should be administrated right before dinner.

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For reducing glycemia it is recommended the consumption of two cups of chicory infusion a day or a cup of decoct before dinner. A cup of infusion of chicory before dinner stimulates digestion and is recommended during states of nervousness, asthenia, coughing.

To prepare the infusion of chicory, two spoons of chicory are mixed in a liter of boiled water for 10-15 minutes. For the decoct tea it’s necessary for a small amount of dry chicory root to be mixed in a liter of boiling water and then to be left to cool down for approximately 15 minutes.

Chicory leaves are efficiently used as bandages for cuts and bruises. Cataplasms can be made of chicory infusion in cases of acne, furunculosis, cuts and bruises.