Guest guest Posted June 5, 2006 Report Share Posted June 5, 2006 Chicory Medicinal Herbs Chicory (Cichorium intybus) Identification: Chicory is a perennial plant that is commonly cultivated and also found wild in the U.S. and Europe. The rootstock is light yellow outside, white inside, and, like the rest of the plant, contains a bitter, milky juice. The stiff, angular, branching stem bears lanceolate leaves that are coarsely toothed near the bottom of the plant, but entire higher up. The light-blue to violet-blue, axillary or terminal flowerheads feature rays that are toothed at the ends. Family: Compositae (Sunflower family) Other Names: Succory, Wild chicory, Wild succory Flowers: June - September Parts Used: Roots and leaves Habitat: Roadsides, fields, and waste places. Throughout our area. (Alien) Medicinal Properties: Properties: Appetizer, Cholagogue, Digestive, Diuretic, Tonic. Main Uses: Chicory is often recommended for jaundice and for spleen problems. The juice of the leaves and a tea made from the flowering plant promote the production of bile, the release of gallstones, and the elimination of excessive internal mucus. They are also useful for gastritis, lack of appetite, and digestive difficulties. A decoction of the rootstock is said to be beneficial to the glandular organs of the digestive system. For painful inflammations, try applying the boiled leaves and flowers wrapped in a cloth. Preparation And Dosages: Gather the rootstock from March to May. Decoction: Use 1 teaspoon rootstock or herb per 1/2 cup of cold water; bring to a boil and strain. Take 1 to 1-1/2 cups a day, a mouthful at a time. Juice: Take 1 tablespoon in milk or water, three times a day. Chicory is also a wild food. Nutrients (Per 100 grams) Calories - 20 Niacin - 0.5 mg. Riboflavin - 0.10 mg. Calcium - 86 mg. Phosphorus - 40 mg. Thiamin - 0.06 mg. Fat - 0.3 grams Potassium - 420 mg. Vitamin A - 4.000 IU Iron - 0.9 mg. Protein - 1.8 grams Vitamin C - 22 mg. Uses: Coffee, salad, cooked green. The roots make an excellent coffee substitute, (without the caffeine), when roasted in an oven until dark brown and brittle, ground, and prepared like coffee; use roughly 1-1/2 teaspoons chicory for each cup of water. The very young leaves can be eaten fresh in salads and the older, bitter leaves can be boiled in several waters and eaten. Keep your thoughts positive, because your thoughts become your words.Keep your words positive, because your words become your behavior.Keep your behavior positive, because your behavior becomes your habits.Keep your habits positive, because your habits become your values.Keep your values positive, because your values become your destiny. - Mahatma Gandhi Check Out My Groups: Everything Natural http://health./ Everything Magick EverythingMagick/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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