Chicory: properties and benefits

chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is an abundant plant, formerly used as an alternative to coffee. Due to its digestive, hepatoprotective and diuretic properties, among others, it provides liver and kidney health benefitsbut also to control blood pressure, to improve digestion and to alleviate urinary disorders.

It is known above all the use of chicory root as an alternative to coffee and tea, because compared to these drinks it has the advantage that it does not create addiction and has little exciting power. It is also called chicory or wild endiveand also with the eloquent name of dandeliondue to its very bitter taste, or mirron in old Castilian

The chicory plant is very common in Europe. It is a ruderal plant, highly branched, with basal rosette leaves and highly segmented upper leaves, and with some light blue flowers that appear in summer or late spring and last until almost autumn.

Properties and benefits of chicory

For medicinal purposes of chicory the root is harvested in autumn, and the younger leavesin spring.

are attributed to him aperitif and digestive propertiesmoderately laxative, vitaminic, remineralizing, hepatoprotectivecholeretic, anti-inflammatory, diureticsbacteriostatic, antiseptic, antioxidant and moderately hypotensive.

For all these reasons, it is considered a plant suitable for liver carefor improve digestion and treat digestive infections, to stimulate urine production and as support in the treatment of hypertension.

It is, in general, a safe plant. In any case, it is always recommended consult with the doctor before starting a treatment with it, as with any medicinal plant, and especially, in the case of chicory, if you suffer any heart disease, liver or kidney dysfunction, or high blood pressure.