Chicory

Chicory is a biennial, sometimes perennial herb of the Asteraceae or Asteraceae family. The homeland of the plant is the Mediterranean. Chicory is common in areas with a temperate climate, does not like high humidity. Found in New Zealand, America, North Africa, Eurasia, Australia. In the wild, it grows on forest edges, along country roads, in meadows, wastelands.

On an industrial scale, 2 types of chicory are cultivated – common and salad. The root of the plant is used as a coffee substitute and is a natural source of inulin. The polysaccharide is prescribed as an additive to the general treatment of diabetes mellitus, osteochondrosis, arthritis, obesity, VT problems, atherosclerosis, and kidney stones. Leaves of cultivated species are added to salads to improve the taste of dishes and served as a side dish for meat.

Botanical description

The plant has a taproot that penetrates deep into the soil. Leaves – oblong, narrowed or rounded at the ends with a distinct vein. A rigid, upright stem is formed in the second year of life. Flowers are concentrated in baskets, blue (rarely pinkish or white). They are located on a short individual stem. The flowers are bisexual, large, ligulate, open sequentially upward. The fruit consists of short scales, pentahedral with a tuft.

Chemical composition

Chicory leaves and root are a source of mineral salts of potassium, sugars, lactones and inulin. The vitamin composition is represented by carotene, ascorbic and chicoric acid, B-group vitamins. The bitter taste of the leaves is due to the content of the glycoside intibin.

The root contains coumarins, flavonoids, glycosides, unsaturated sterols, triterpenoids, tannins. The seeds of the plant contain pyrocatechol aldehyde, inulin and fatty oil. The flowers are rich in the coumarin glycoside, chicorine, which breaks down into esculetin and glucose upon hydrolysis. Milky juice contains taraxasterol, lactucopicrin, sesquiterpene lactones – lactucin.

The calorie content of the root is 378 calories, liquid thickened chicory extract – 263.8 calories, raw greens – 23 calories.

The energy ratio P: F: C is 32%: 9%: 78%.

Components	Content in 100 grams of product, grams
Water	94.52
Carbohydrates	4.0
Dietary fiber	3.1
Proteins	0.9
Ash	0.47
Essential amino acids	0.318
Fats	0.1
PUFA	0.044
Omega-6	0.037
Saturated fatty acids	0.024
Omega-3	0.006
Omega-9	0.002

 

Name	Nutrient content in 100 grams of product, milligram
Vitamins
Ascorbic acid (C)	2.8
Niacin (B3)	0.16
Pantothenic acid (B5)	0.145
Thiamine (B1)	0.062
Pyridoxine (B6)	0.042
Folic acid (B9)	0.037
Riboflavin (B2)	0.027
Beta-carotene (A)	0.001
Macronutrients
Potassium	211
Phosphorus	26
Calcium	19
Magnesium	10
Sodium	2
Trace elements
Iron	0.24
Zinc	0.16
Manganese	0.1
Copper	0.051
Selenium	0.0002

Due to its rich vitamin and mineral composition, chicory used not only in folk medicine, but also in cooking to improve the taste and vitaminization of dishes. Young rosette leaves are added to salads, mashed from them, and the shoots of the plant are baked in a dough, boiled, stewed or fried. Dried, ground roots are brewed instead of coffee products, used in confectionery and canning industry in the form of syrup.

Useful properties

Chicory has tonic properties. It is indicated for use by people with diseases of the kidneys, spleen, pancreas, nervous system, migraines, insomnia, psychological disorders. The plant has an anti-tumor effect. Lotions, compresses, fees, infusions, decoctions, teas for external use are prepared from it.

Useful properties:

1. Gives strength, improves mood, energizes and vigor. Chicory serves as a natural coffee substitute. It contains riboflavin, thiamine, biotin, which, unlike a caffeinated drink, have a calming effect on the nervous system, and not excitatory.
2. Reduces blood sugar, accelerates metabolic processes, suppresses hunger, prolongs the feeling of satiety (due to the content of inulin, triterpene, pectin in the composition). Therefore, people suffering from diabetes and obesity are advised to drink a healthy drink regularly after breakfast, lunch.
3. Tones the skin, accelerates the recovery of collagen fibers. Chicory has bactericidal, anti-inflammatory properties, therefore it is used as a tincture for external use: it promotes wound healing, fights skin diseases (eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis).
4. Prevents dysbiosis, constipation. Inulin, which is part of chicory, is useful for the intestinal microflora. Bifidobacteria living in the digestive tract feed on fiber. And inulin is a special type of dietary fiber.
5. Infusion of chicory root improves hair structure, stimulates hair growth (when used externally).
6. Strengthens the immune system by cleansing the body of toxic substances and toxins, promotes the absorption of vitamins and minerals.
7. Normalizes the rhythm and increases the amplitude of heart contractions, dilates blood vessels, reduces the level of “bad” cholesterol. Chicory drink is extremely useful for atherosclerosis, ischemia, hypertension and tachycardia.
8. Prevents and treats anemia. Iron from chicory is well absorbed in the human body. At the same time, cow’s milk should not be added to the drink, since it reduces the absorption of the microelement. It is recommended to replace it with a vegetable equivalent – soy, coconut, nut or rice.
9. Stimulates the excretion of bile, cleanses the liver and kidneys from toxins, parasites.

A decoction of chicory roots is recommended for pregnant women, as it prevents swelling, heartburn, nausea, and removes excess fluid. Thus, the plant reduces the symptoms of toxicosis, increases appetite, and ensures regular bowel movements. In addition, freshly squeezed chicory juice nourishes the eye muscles.

This natural coffee substitute is recommended for people with pancreatic diseases. In chronic pancreatitis, infusion of chicory roots is allowed to be taken exclusively in remission.

During an exacerbation of the disease, ensure complete rest of the organ, minimize the load on the pancreas. In the exacerbation stage, refrain from products that stimulate the secretory function, as they can worsen the state of health and lead to complications (the development of hepatic hypertension, jaundice, diabetes mellitus, inflammation of the pleura, brain damage, cancer, difficulty in the passage of juices through the duodenum) …

Contraindications

Despite the wide range of useful properties, chicory should not be taken by nursing mothers, since the components of the drink can reduce lactation in women and have a strong stimulating effect on the nervous system of infants. In addition, the drink exhibits tonic and immunological properties that can cause a strong allergic reaction in a baby through breast milk.

Contraindications:

• varicose veins;
• gastritis, ulcer;
• haemorrhoids;
• stones in the kidneys;
• gout, rheumatoid arthritis;
• vascular disorders;
• allergy to vitamin C;
• antibiotic treatment;
• respiratory tract diseases.

In some people, a chicory drink can cause overexcitation of the nervous system, insomnia, and increased appetite.

Guarding a beautiful figure

Chicory is an assistant in the fight against extra pounds

The main properties of ground particles of plant roots that contribute to the process of losing weight:

1. Accelerate metabolism due to the abundance of insulin, pectin, intibin in plant materials.
2. Improves the absorption of fast carbohydrates.
3. Stimulates fat burning, removal of excess fluid and processed waste products from the body.
4. Normalize stool.

To lose weight with chicory, the energy value of the daily diet should be reduced to 1500 calories. Without the obligatory physical exercise and strict diets, the effect of the drink will help you get rid of 4 kg per month.

How to take

Drink 200 ml daily 3 times a day for 3-4 months 1 hour after a meal. Chicory not only removes cholesterol and improves metabolism, but also relieves excessive sweating.

How to properly prepare a drink

Method number 1

1. Ground, dried root of a plant (5 g) boil for 10 minutes in 500 ml of water.
2. Remove the pot with the broth from the stove, cover with a lid, leave for at least 2 hours.
3. Strain. To improve the taste, you can add to the warm solution honey or cane sugar.

Method number 2

1. Purchase instant chicory powder.
2. Pour 5 g of dry mixture into a glass, pour 200 ml of boiling water. Stir vigorously, wait 5 minutes.

Method number 3

1. Boil 1 liter of water. Pour 2 cm of ginger root with it, half a lemon.
2. Leave the mixture overnight in a closed jar.
3. In the morning add 10 g of chicory root powder, 10 ml of honey. Stir the drink thoroughly. Take 30 minutes before meals throughout the day.

Method number 4

1. Chicory powder (5 g) pour 150 ml of boiling water.
2. Stir the drink thoroughly and cool to 25 degrees.
3. Add 50 ml of freshly squeezed apple juice, honey.

To preserve the beneficial properties of chicory, after opening the package, the ground root (powder) is poured into a glass container and hermetically closed with a lid to prevent moisture from reaching the product.

Remember, only the root of the plant is used for weight loss, since its inflorescences stimulate appetite.

Folk recipes

For medicinal purposes, all parts of chicory are used: roots, leaves, stems. Herbal preparations, powder, decoctions, infusions are prepared from them.

The plant has the following effects on the body:

• choleretic;
• anti-inflammatory;
• diuretic;
• antipyretic;
• antimicrobial;
• immunostimulating;
• hypoglycemic;
• antibacterial;
• fortifying;
• sedative;
• astringent;
• wound healing.

Traditional methods of treating diseases with the help of chicory

For diathesis

Cooking recipe: finely chop 60 g of chicory roots, pour 250 ml of boiling water, cook for half an hour. Cool the broth, strain. Use externally for bathing or as a lotion.

For the treatment of the gallbladder, liver, kidneys, with constipation.

Principle of preparation: 15 g of crushed root pour 600 ml of hot water. Put the contents on fire. Boil for 10 minutes. Cool the broth, strain. Take 3 times a day, 70 ml.

To improve digestion, for liver diseases

Pour boiling water (1 liter) on roots and dry chicory leaves (30 g), cook for 5 minutes, leave to infuse for 30 minutes. Consume 150 ml in the morning on an empty stomach and before meals in the evening.

For pain in the joints Chop

dry chicory root (20 g), pour 200 ml of water, put on fire, simmer for a quarter of an hour over low heat. Bring to original volume. Strain. Moisten gauze in broth, apply to sore joints.

For pancreatitis, hypertension, hepatitis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis

Method of preparation: pour 10 g of dry chicory herb with 400 ml of water. Boil for 10 minutes. Strain before use. The recommended dose is 100 ml 3 times a day.

In case of arrhythmias, edema of cardiac origin, the

Infusion does not need to be boiled. To prepare the product, 200 ml of boiling water is poured into 20 g of dry raw materials. The container is wrapped in a towel, insisted for 30 minutes, then filtered. Dosing regimen: 30 ml 3 times a day.

To increase appetite, eliminate eczema and boils, treat acne

Leaves and stems of a plant (dry or fresh) in a volume of 15 g, pour 400 ml of boiling water. The infusion is wrapped, filtered after it has cooled down. Take 50 ml 25 minutes before meals 3 times a day.

To eliminate skin problems, use externally to rinse the affected area.

With anemia

Fresh turntables of the plant are thoroughly washed, scalded with boiling water, chopped in a blender or twisted in a meat grinder. The resulting mass is squeezed out. The juice is brought to a boil, boiled for 3 minutes, cooled. Store in a cool place with an ambient temperature of 8-10 degrees above zero. Before use, 5 ml of juice is dissolved in 100 ml of warm milk, 5 ml of honey is added. Take 3 times a day for a month.

For hemorrhoids

Chopped chicory root (5 g), pour 200 ml of hot water. Insist for an hour. Consume 100 ml three times a day.

Thus, chicory is used in folk medicine for internal and external use. The plant prevents hair loss, improves hair structure and growth, gives vitality, natural shine. In addition, decoctions of chicory root are used to eliminate purulent acne, treat acne.

Natural beauty recipes

With alopecia

To prepare a decoction, 50 g of herbs and crushed roots are poured into a glass of boiling water. Cook for 20 minutes, remove from heat, insist in a warm place for 8 hours (night). Pre-wash your hair, rub the broth into the root zone, do not rinse.

To strengthen hair

Method of preparation: pour boiling water (400 ml) of chicory roots (30 g) in a water bath for no more than 20 minutes. Then cool the broth, strain, bring to the original volume (add boiled water). Rinse washed hair regularly with the resulting solution.

For the treatment of acne

Dry chicory herb (15 g), pour boiling water (200 ml), boil for 10 minutes, leave for 20 minutes. After cooling, strain the solution. Throw out the cake. A cotton pad is moistened in broth, wiped on the face 3 times a day: in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening.

How to Harvest

In order for the plant to bring maximum benefit to the body, healing potions are harvested at a time when the most nutrients are concentrated in them:

• roots – in spring;
• leaves – from early spring to flowering;
• grass – when it is in bloom.

Chicory is harvested in ecologically clean areas in the morning, when the dew has dried on it. It is important that there are no industrial enterprises, garbage dumps, or busy roads near the place where the plant grows. For harvesting, only the flowering part of the plant (without stems) is collected in dry weather.

In two-year-old chicory, the quality of one-year-old roots is determined by the leaves: the younger and juicier the greens, the stronger they are. Harvesting should be done in the autumn season, when the top of the plant dries up. Having found a good root without cracks and rotten roots, it is cleaned of clay, washed and dried in the sun. To speed up the process, they are additionally cut into pieces.

Store the dried root vegetable in cloth or paper bags, glass containers in a cool dry place. The main thing is not in polyethylene.

If stored properly, chicory retains its beneficial properties for up to 3 years.

Conclusion

Chicory is a perennial plant with immunostimulating, anti-inflammatory, soothing, wound healing, choleretic and diuretic properties. The curative drink tastes like coffee, has a light tonic and health-improving effect. With regular use, soluble chicory stimulates the digestive tract, cardiovascular system, relieves the condition of patients suffering from cholecystitis and chronic pancreatitis.

The main benefit of the root is that it promotes the digestion of food, flushes out the accumulating bile from the body, which is especially important for patients with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, chicory has a positive effect on the large intestine, kidneys and liver. It saturates the body with B vitamins, resins, macro- and microelements, organic acids and tannins, improves metabolism, increases efficiency.

Due to the presence of inulin, chicory stabilizes the pancreas, lowers blood sugar, relieves bloating and pain in the digestive system.

As a preventive measure, it is recommended to consume 200-400 ml of instant drink per day (based on the calculation of 5-10 g of chicory powder per 200 ml of hot water).