What is Chicory? Health Benefits, Uses and Side Effects of Cichorium Intybus

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

Chicory botanical name is Cichorium Intybus, and other common names are kasni, blue daisy, blueweed, blue sailor, bunk, coffee weed, blue dandelion, & wild endive. It is mainly found in India and almost grows on all types of soil and occurs throughout North-West India up to 6000 feet, particularly in Punjab, Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

Chicory is native to the Mediterranean region or possibly eastern India. It was well-known to the ancient Greeks and Romans and was cultivated in Egypt over 2000 years ago. Classical writers like Horace, Virgil, Ovid, and Pliny mention it as a vegetable and a salad ingredient.

It is a perennial herb with a long tap root, it has condensed, round stems, numerous light or dark green leaves and pale blue flowers. The leaves have a bitter taste, flowers open at sunrise and close at dark.

The flowers contain glucoside chichorin and bitter substance, lactucin, and intybin. Seeds contain bland oil and roots contain nitrate and sulphate of potash, mucilage, and some bitter principle.

According to the analysis, leaves contain 93.0 percent moisture, 1.7 percent protein, 0.1 percent fiber, and 4.3 percent carbohydrates. It’s mineral and vitamin contents are calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C, the calorific value is 20.

You may also like

2. Common Names

• Family – Asteraceae.
• Hindi Name – Kasani, Chichori.
• English Name – Chicory, Siccory, Endive.

3. Morphology

It is an annual or perennial herb, 1/3 to 1mm high, it is usually rough and is more or less like a glandular herb.

Leaves -Simple, alternate, basal leaves lyrate, margin pinnatified, coarsely toothed.

Flowers - Inflorescence, of homogamous, solitary/clustered, bright blue, bisexual.

Root/Rhizomes - Brownish, fleshy, and tapering, 10 to 30cm long.

4. Ayurvedic Properties 

Rasa (Taste): It is astringent (Tikta) in taste.

Virya (Potency): It is hot in nature (Ushna).

Vipaka (Post-digestive taste): The post-digestive taste is bitter (Katu).

Dosha Effects: Kaphapittahara

Guna (Qualities) - Laghu, Ruksha

5. What are the Benefits of Cichorium Intybus?

Chicory is an herbal tonic; it increases the secretion and discharge of urine. It is also a stimulant and a mild laxative. It helps to balance Pitta and increase the metabolism of the body. It is also a rich source of iron which helps in anemia and help in blood circulation.

Here are some Benefits of Cichorium Intybus / Chicory

In Anaemia

As mentioned above it contains rich elements of iron which helps to treat anemia and better blood circulation.

In Constipation

Chicory has a laxative property which helps to treat chronic constipation and helps in bowel movements.

In Eye Defects

Chicory contains elements that are constantly needed by the eye optic system. It is one of the richest sources of vitamin A, which is very useful for the eyes. It can bring amazing results in correcting eye defects.

In Liver and Gall Bladder Dysfunctions

Chicory flowers, seeds, and roots are medically used in the treatment of liver disorder, chicory juice in any combination promotes the secretion of bile and is good for both liver and gall bladder dysfunction.

In obstructed Menstruation

Chicory seeds are beneficial in the treatment of obstructed Menstruation.

In Respiratory Disorder

Chicory leaves and seeds are useful in the treatment of chronic bronchitis, asthma, and hay fever.

Explore More Herbs

6. How to Use Kasni / Chicory seeds?

Dosage and uses depend upon the health problems and conditions or as an Ayurvedic doctor recommends. The general recommended dosage is 5-10 grams of Kasni / Chicory seeds twice a day before an hour of a meal. You can mix it with coffee or make a tea of the chicory seed powder.

Here are the uses of the Kasni / Chicory seeds

• Take 5 grams of powder of each herb, chicory seeds, celery, and parsley, and mix them all. Taking this mixture twice a day helps to treat anemia.
• Take 5 grams powder of chicory seed with water twice after the meal, helps to cure constipation.
• Make a juice of celery, carrot, parsley, and chicory is highly nourishing for the optic nerve and the muscular system.
• Taking 30-60 ml of decoction of the flowers, seeds, or roots took three times daily is beneficial in the treatment of torpidity or sluggishness of the liver, biliary stasis, or stoppage of bile, jaundice, and enlargement of the spleen.
• A decoction of chicory seeds is beneficial in mensuration problems.
• Take 10 grams of chicory root powder and mix with half tsp of honey, take this mixture thrice a day on daily basis, gives relief from chronic bronchitis.
• You can make a salad of young leaves by blanching the leaves and chopping them. Mix it in a salad.
• Green mature leaves are good for making vegetables.
• Roasted seeds are used as an ingredient in coffee or as a beverage on their own.

Explore Wholesale Herbs Powder

7. Ayurvedic and Pharmacological Actions

Ayurvedic Actions

Its Ayurvedic actions are hepatic disorder, heart disease, dysuria and splenomegaly.

Pharmacological Actions

Its Pharmacological actions are appetizer, anti-inflammatory, hepatic-stimulant, antipyretic and cardiotonic.

8. Dose

• Powder - 3 to 6g.
• Juice - 10 to 20ml.

9. Official Part Used

Root, leaf and seeds.

10. Side Effects 

All Ayurveda herbs are plant-based, and they don’ have any side effects but they may react with some allopathy or homeopathy medicine. It is better to consult the doctor if you are on any medications or have special health issues.

Some side effects are mentioned below.

• Consult the doctor if you are breastfeeding.
• Do not take without a doctor’s prescription if you are pregnant.
• If you are on diabetes or on hypertension medication. Consult first the doctor before consuming.

• If you are suffering from kidney disease, consult the doctor first before consuming Chicory
• Do not take Chicory with liquor, it may interact with it and cause drowsiness.

Explore Herbal Tea