Chicory

Chicory is a plant whose root and dried parts growing above the ground are used to make medicine. Chicory is used for loss of appetite, stomach upset, constipation, liver and gallbladder disorders, cancer and rapid heartbeat. Chicory is also used as a tonic, to increase urine production, to protect the liver and to balance the stimulating effects of coffee. Some people apply chicory paste directly to the skin to treat swelling and inflammation. As a food, chicory is eaten like celery and the roots and leaf buds are cooked and eaten. Chicory is also used as a spice in cooking and to flavor foods and drinks. Coffee blends often contain ground chicory to enhance the full flavor of the coffee.

How does chicory work?

Chicory root has a mild laxative effect, increases bile acid production in the gallbladder and reduces swelling. Chicory is also a rich source of beta-carotene.

How effective is chicory?

There is not enough scientific data to assess the effectiveness of chicory for constipation, liver disease, gallbladder disorders, cancer, skin inflammation, loss of appetite and stomach upset. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of chicory in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Chicory is safe and harmless for most adults when taken orally. Touching the raw plant may cause skin irritation.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: It is not safe to consume large amounts of chicory during pregnancy, as chicory could induce menstruation and cause miscarriage. Not enough is known about the safety of chicory during breastfeeding.

Chicory allergy: If you are allergic to chicory, you should not ingest or touch chicory Allergies to broomrape and related plants: Chicory may cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this plant family include broomsedge, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies and many others. If you suffer from allergies, you should consult your doctor before taking chicory.

Gallstones: Chicory can stimulate the production of bile acid. This could be a problem for people suffering from gallstones. For this reason, chicory should not be used without medical supervision if you suffer from gallstones.

Interactions

At this time, there is no information on interactions of chicory with medications or supplements.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of chicory depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to be able to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for chicory. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.