Chicory is a common type of root system. Wild chicory – description, benefits and harms, recipes, reviews

In almost every supermarket you can find chicory on the shelves next to coffee and teas. It is sold in powder or syrup, pure or with all sorts of valuable additives, such as ginseng, sea buckthorn, rose hip , blueberries and others.

Do you know what the chicory plant is, from which this drink, useful for adults and even small children, is made? In this article we will tell you what chicory looks like, where it grows, what it is useful for, how it is used in cooking and in folk medicine.

General information

Some people consider the chicory plant to be a weed and do not pay attention to it. The humble blue flower likes to grow along roadsides (photo below), which is why in some regions it is called plantain or roadside plant.

It is also called Peter’s Batog, because, according to mythology, the Apostle Peter once used twigs to drive insects off wheat ears, and when he finished, he threw these twigs onto the road. From them chicory grew, which since ancient times has mainly lived near roads.

You can meet him in meadows, forest clearings, and wastelands - wherever it is sunny and dry, because he always avoids swampy shady places. The habitat of chicory is very wide. It grows on almost every continent except Antarctica. In Russia, it is distributed in the temperate climate zone, the Caucasus, and Siberia.

Taxonomy

Chicory is a member of the Asteraceae family. It has only 10 species. Of these, 2 are cultivated, grown for green mass used for making salads, and 8 are wild.

Of the cultivated chicories, the most widely used is our chicory - common chicory (Cichorium intybus) - a plant with an unremarkable appearance and a very large set of useful properties. It is usually called common name genus – chicory, without specifying the species “ordinary”. We will also adhere to this rule.

Photo: common root chicory, cultivated varieties (Cichorium intybus var. Sativum)

Chemical composition plant parts

The unique beneficial properties of chicory, thanks to which it is used not only by traditional healers, but also by official medicine, are based on its chemical composition.

Needed for human body substances are found in almost all parts of the plant, but most of them are found in the root. It contains the polysaccharide inulin, as much as 11%, and during the peak season the percentage rises to 75%. Pharmacists use it as a prebiotic - a substance that has a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora.

In addition, the chicory plant contains in its roots and leaves:
- protein substances (polypeptides, proteins);
- intibin (a very useful glycoside);
- organic acids;
- thiamine;
- carotene;
- riboflavin;
- vitamin C;
- niacin;
- pantothenic acid;
- pyridoxine;
- folic acid;
- microelements (iron, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, sodium).

Chicory flowers contain coumarin glycosides.
Young leaves contain carotene, potassium salts, and inulin.
The milky juice contains lactucopicrin and lactucin.

Photo: common chicory (Cichorium intybus)

Benefits of chicory

The properties of chicory are very diverse. It has found application as:
- anti-inflammatory;
- antibacterial;
- antipyretic;
- immunostimulating;
- choleretic;
- diuretic;
- wound healing;
- a sedative.

Traditional healers use the unique properties of chicory to get rid of heartburn, to remove toxins, to increase appetite and improve intestinal function, to cleanse the blood and reduce blood glucose.

What diseases can a simple blue flower help with?

The use of chicory in official medicine can be said to be modest. It is used mainly as a prebiotic and also as an appetite suppressant. Due to its high inulin content, chicory root is valuable for the industrial production of fructose.

In folk medicine, chicory is more in demand. It is used for the following ailments:
- diabetes;
- heart and kidney failure;
- gastrointestinal diseases;
- cold;
- nervous disorders;
- weakening of the body and decreased immunity after operations, many viral and infectious diseases;
- migraine;
- anemia;
- insomnia;
- skin diseases (wounds, eczema, tumors, insect bites).

Photo: chicory flowers

Blank

In order to preserve the unique properties of chicory as much as possible, its roots should be harvested from July (according to other sources - only in September–October and March). They need to be dug out of the ground, washed thoroughly, divided into small fragments and dried in a special oven (you can try in a regular oven) or outdoors in a place where it doesn't fall sunlight. To prepare the drink, the roots are roasted and ground into powder. Roasting removes the bitterness from the roots and achieves a coffee-colored drink, as well as a pleasant aroma. To use as a medicine, dry roots do not need to be fried.

In addition, flowers and green mass of chicory are harvested. These raw materials are used only for medicinal purposes; they are not suitable for drinking. They do the harvesting all summer long. The cut parts of the plant are dried according to the general rules (in the shade in a place that is well ventilated and inaccessible to direct sun rays). Easily breaking stems will indicate that the drying process is complete. After this, the raw materials must be stored in a jar with a tight-fitting lid.

Dried chicory roots are stored in a cool, ventilated place. If they are processed into powder, it is important to remember that chicory root powder is very hygroscopic, so it cannot be stored in open containers or in containers made of paper or fabric.

Growing chicory

You can grow a useful plant in your garden by giving it a bright place. Now on the seed market for gardeners there are common root chicory “Coffee”, “Witch Doctor”, and a leafy variety “Arrows of Cupid” with red veins on green leaves - the latter is grown as an annual. A number of varieties of chicory root are included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of Plant Varieties and are recommended for all crop cultivation zones, including for mechanized harvesting. These are root chicory "Alexandrite", "Rostovsky", "Gogolevsky", "Chryzolit", "RTs 4", "Nikolsky", "Petrovsky", "Fluor". Chicory varieties compare favorably with wild plants because they have a double set of chromosomes, which are responsible for the beneficial properties of chicory. Such plants have larger roots, higher yield and content of dry matter and inulin, and leafy varieties have a good rosette of leaves with a reduced bitterness content. The highest yields are demonstrated by the varieties "Alexandrite" (550-600 c/ha), "Chryzolit" (450 c/ha), RC 4 (461 c/ha). Fluor (20.5-21.5%), RC 4 (24.3%), and Chryzolit (20-21%) are distinguished by their high inulin content.

The seeds need to be sown in early spring, as soon as the soil allows, it should warm up to 8 degrees. They are buried no more than 2 cm and no less than 1 cm into loose soil. The groove or hole is pre-compacted a little so that the seeds do not fall deeper. Place the plants no closer than 20 cm from each other. Shoots will appear in a week or a little more, and already at the beginning of summer it will be possible to use fresh chicory leaves.

Sometimes the experience of foreign gardeners is used. The developed rosette of leaves is covered with a dark, breathable material, such as matting, for about three weeks. Without access to light, the bitterness leaves the leaves, after which they can be eaten raw without preliminary preparation. The root of this perennial ripens by the end of the second season, then it can be dug up for culinary or medicinal purposes, or stored for future use.

Drink consumption

The most common and simplest use for chicory is to simply make a drink out of it. To do this, you can buy it in a store, or you can make it yourself. The drink tastes a bit like coffee , but does not have an invigorating effect, since it does not contain caffeine. It can be used by children and adults, including pregnant women. Nursing mothers can take the drink only if the baby is not allergic to it, and if this drink does not impair lactation.

The process of preparing a store-bought drink is extremely simple - add one (one and a half, two) teaspoon of powder to a cup, sugar to taste, stir, pour boiling water over it. If desired, you can add milk.

If you are preparing a drink from a homemade product, it is advisable to boil it for a minute, since at home not everyone will be able to make a soluble powder from the root of the plant.

Chicory drink for children

In recent years, the use of chicory as a drink in kindergartens has become increasingly common. Some doctors recommend starting to give chicory to children over one year old, others from one and a half years, and others from two years. Which advice to follow is your choice, but in any case you need to start with a small dose. To do this, place half a teaspoon of powder in a glass of boiling water. If the child liked this drink, you can continue, gradually increasing the dose to a teaspoon of chicory powder per glass. If not, you need to postpone the experiments until the baby grows up and try again.

Benefits for children

The properties of chicory are very useful for the younger generation. Its positive impact is as follows:
- improves appetite;
- strengthens the immune system;
- helps absorb lactic acids;
- promotes better digestion;
- relieves constipation;
- removes toxins (cleanses all body systems);
- saves from dysbacteriosis;
- regulates metabolism.

Pediatricians confidently recommend the use of chicory for children with the following pathologies:
- Iron-deficiency anemia;
- skin diseases, including diathesis;
- disturbances in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- nervous disorders;
- improper metabolism.

Photo: common chicory (Cichorium intybus) growing wild

The use of chicory as a medicinal plant

There are several hundred recipes for chicory. Almost every healer has his own methods of preparing potions from roadside blue flower. They recommend wild chicory. We offer only some of the most popular recipes.

Decoctions

Decoctions from roots alone or from roots and green mass help with diabetes, tuberculosis, neurasthenia, problems with the pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, gall, liver, spleen, colds and rheumatism. They are also used to prevent many diseases and strengthen the immune system.

The decoction is prepared in approximately the same way in all cases. You need to take a full tablespoon of the dried and crushed mixture, carefully pour hot water(200 ml), put the dishes on the fire and simmer for 10 minutes over low heat. Then let it cool, strain thoroughly and take three times a day or as regular tea.

Important! You need to drink this medicine before meals, so that the drink before meals has time to “work” in the gastrointestinal tract, improving their functionality.

Infusions

This remedy is approximately the same as decoctions, only more concentrated due to the infusion process. The use of chicory in infusions is practiced for the same ailments as the use of decoctions.

Method of preparation: pour boiling water (200 ml) over a tablespoon of dried raw materials, heat for 10 minutes over low heat and leave to infuse, placing in a thermos or wrapped in a blanket. The resulting drug can be drunk as tea, but to do this it must be diluted with water to reduce the concentration. You can also take the infusion without diluting it, but no more than ¼ cup at a time. Number of doses: 3 or 4 times a day.

Alcohol tinctures

They are prepared according to general principle. Collect the green mass of chicory (you can add crushed roots 1:1 to it), fill the jar, fill it with alcohol and leave for 2 weeks to infuse. The resulting drug can be used as rubs and compresses for rheumatism, pain in muscles and joints. You can also lubricate wounds, acne, and boils with this product.

The use of chicory in dermatology and cosmetology

To treat skin ailments, a thicker chicory decoction is prepared. To do this, take 2-3 heaped spoons of dry raw materials, add water and boil for 7 minutes. Allow to cool. Strain. Add to water when taking baths (this promotes skin regeneration, toning, cleansing, treatment of small cracks and rashes). In order to strengthen the hair roots, the resulting decoction is diluted with water 1:1 and rubbed into the scalp. This decoction is also suitable for rinsing the mouth, and in some countries they even add chicory to toothpastes to strengthen the gums and mucous membranes.

Chicory in cooking

Not only doctors, but also culinary specialists widely use the chicory plant (as well as its closely related dandelion ).
Leaves of wild chicory have long been consumed. For example, in Albania it successfully replaces spinach, in Greece it is an integral ingredient in one of the cuisines, in India, Italy, Turkey, and Palestine they are added to coffee. Chicory root is a generally accepted coffee substitute. In some countries, its salad variety is actively cultivated. But our ordinary chicory also comes into play. The content of bitterness in its milky juice gives the food a special piquancy. And in order to reduce it, the leaves are first doused with boiling water. After that, they are fried with onions or other products.

Here are some recipes:

Additive to side dish

In spring, young chicory leaves and small flower shoots are cut off. All this is washed, cut into pieces and stewed in oil. Salt and spices are added to taste. The resulting product can be added to boiled and sliced ​​potatoes.

Salad

The youngest chicory leaves are cut off, washed, lettuce, onion, cucumber are added to them, and seasoned with oil. Salt to taste.

soup

The wild (ordinary) chicory plant can also be used for preparing first courses. For this you will need bacon, garlic, tomatoes, parsley, Parmesan cheese. Rinse the chicory leaves (about 1 kg of them) very well in several waters, boil in salted water and drain in a colander, but do not throw away the water, but leave it in a separate saucepan. In a frying pan, fry the chopped garlic clove and pieces of bacon in olive oil, then add the water where the chicory leaves were boiled and simmer until the meat is cooked. At the very end of the process, add the tomatoes cut into pieces. Next, put the mixture from the frying pan into the pan, boiled chicory, salt and pepper, add water (just a little), put on fire, add grated Parmesan and chopped parsley.

There are even more dishes made from chicory salad, which also has a piquant bitterness. It is consumed raw, without heat treatment. All these dishes are extremely useful for the prevention of dozens of ailments.

Use for weight loss and I

There is no consensus on how advisable it is to use chicory to get rid of excess weight. On the one hand, this herb removes toxins and waste, and with them excess liquid, normalizes metabolic processes, which to some extent helps with weight loss. But on the other hand, it increases appetite, which is why some doctors do not recommend the use of chicory for obese people. At the same time, thanks to inulin, chicory can be useful for exhaustion and weight loss.

Contraindications

No matter how beneficial the properties of chicory may be, not everyone can use it. Oxalates are found in its parts, so doctors do not advise consuming chicory for those who suffer from hypotension, anemia, stomach ulcers, and kidney diseases. There is an opinion that it should be used very carefully by those who have hemorrhoids, varicose veins, bronchial asthma, gout and kidney stones.

Despite the fact that chicory has been known since ancient times, in our time the attitude towards it is twofold. Some see it only as a weed, albeit a delicately blooming one, while others treat it as a coffee surrogate. And people who are well versed in medicinal plants, “hats off to him.”

Useful, medicinal properties of chicory and its composition

• Chicory roots contain inulin, which can be called a natural substitute for starch and sugar in diabetes.
• Chicory also contains the glycoside intibin, choline, gum, resin, tannins, chicorine, essential oil, lactucin and lactucopyrin.
• Chicory roots are used to improve digestion, increase appetite, and for dyspepsia.
• The roots have a choleretic effect, they are used for diseases of the liver and gall bladder, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, and inflammation of the pancreas. It’s not for nothing that chicory is popularly called “liver grass.”
• Chicory is used for gout, joint diseases, osteochondrosis, atherosclerosis, obesity, and metabolic disorders.
• Chicory has a positive effect on neuroses, asthenia and hysteria.
• Externally, chicory is used for insect bites, as well as in the treatment of skin diseases. It helps well with diathesis in children.
• Chicory juice, together with the juice of carrots, parsley and celery, restores vision.

Contraindications: vascular diseases, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, as well as individual intolerance.

Where does chicory grow?

Chicory grows almost everywhere where there is a lot of sun: in clearings, wastelands, hills, along roads and fields, in vegetable gardens.

There are wild varieties of chicory and those that are cultivated.

The flowering parts of the plant and roots have medicinal properties.

The peculiarity of chicory is that it begins to bloom after a few years, and at first - in the first year - only a basal rosette of leaves develops. Over time, the root becomes so long that it sometimes goes one and a half meters deep into the soil.

How and when to harvest flowers

• Chicory flowers are collected at the time of mass flowering from June to September.
• Chicory grass is harvested away from roadways, factories, and garbage dumps.
• Dry, settled weather is chosen for collection.
• Flowers are harvested when the dew has dried on the plants.
• For drying, only the apical flowering parts of the plant without rough stems are cut off.

How to dry chicory herb

Cut stems are dried in the shade, under a canopy or in attics under iron roof, unfolding thin layer on fabric.

The raw materials are stirred periodically so that they dry evenly. Drying is considered complete if the stems break well.

Store raw materials in canvas bags or paper bags in a dry, dark, cool place. Shelf life is one year.

How and when to harvest chicory roots

Chicory roots are harvested either early spring or late autumn when the above-ground part of the plant begins to die. It is at this time that the maximum amount of nutrients accumulates in the roots, because the plant is preparing for winter.

Since the roots of chicory are long, they are not pulled out, but dig up. Then the roots are cleared of soil, quickly washed in cold water, thin side roots are removed and laid out on the grass for initial drying.

Then the roots are cut crosswise into small pieces, and thick roots are also cut lengthwise before this.

The roots are laid out on cloth and dried in a ventilated area or under a canopy.

But it is still better to dry the roots in a dryer or oven at a temperature not exceeding 60°. The oven door must be kept half open to prevent the raw materials from steaming. When the roots break with a bang, stop drying.

Store the roots in cardboard boxes, boxes or paper bags in a dry place for three years.

Dried chicory roots are an excellent coffee substitute. The fact is that regular coffee is contraindicated for many due to the presence of caffeine in it. There is no caffeine in the chicory drink, but there are a lot of other useful substances, the properties of which were mentioned above. In addition, the chicory drink does not irritate the stomach, does not have a stimulating effect on the heart and nervous system, but stimulates the appetite.

To obtain a chicory drink, prepared fresh chicory roots are cut into pieces 1 cm thick and dried at a temperature of 100° for about 12 hours.

The dried roots are then roasted in a dry frying pan until they become coffee-colored. When chicory roots are fried, the essential oil chicoreol is formed, which gives the drink a unique aroma.

After cooling, the roots are ground in a coffee grinder, blender or ground in a mortar.

Chicory coffee can be prepared both without additives and with grain components, adding barley, soy, rowan, oats, rye, dried carrots, fried almond kernels, fried acorn kernels to chicory. The percentage of additives and their quantity may vary.

How to make chicory coffee

Ground chicory or the prepared mixture is poured into hot water and brought to a boil. The drink is allowed to brew and poured into cups, adding milk and sugar to taste. For one glass of water, take 1 teaspoon of the prepared mixture.

Surely each of us, walking along a rural road, noticed bluish modest star flowers on tall gray-green twigs, but few people know that this herb is chicory, which is widely used both in alternative medicine and in cooking. The article is dedicated to those who want to get the maximum benefit from this extraordinary plant.

What does common chicory look like?

Chicory (Petrov Knut, Blue Flower, Shcherbak) was given to humans by the Astrov family: it is a wild perennial or, if cultivated on the site, a biennial plant, which many know as a weed. The grass is easy to recognize not only by its tall, erect stems with rough surface, sometimes reaching one and a half meters in height, but also in small basket-shaped inflorescences (single or in a group) most often of a bluish-gray hue, opening their petals exclusively in the cool morning hours and in cloudy weather. It should be noted that there are species that have white and pink flowers . As for the description of the leaves, chicory leaves are lanceolate-ovate in shape and seem to “hug” the stems. The underground part also deserves attention - the sherbak root is very fleshy and large; by making an incision, you can see the bitter milky sap of the plant.

At the end of the growing season, roadside grass, as chicory is also called, produces fruits - three- or five-sided light brown oblong achenes.

Places of distribution of chicory

For a resident of Russia, chicory is an obligatory attribute of the countryside. Indeed, this herb is widespread throughout almost the entire territory of Eurasia, in particular in the Caucasus and Siberia, and grows in northern Africa, Australia and even New Zealand. The modest plant lives along roads and ditches, in fields, meadows and forest edges, sometimes forming an impressive thicket. In some cases, Peter's whip can be seen in the mountains (up to the middle belt).

Active ingredients of chicory

IN folk recipes The stems, leaves, flowers and roots of the plant are used. The fact is that they contain a significant proportion of inulin, a polysaccharide that helps in the fight against diabetes and metabolic problems in the body. Other beneficial substances are proteins, choline, intibin, glycosides, tannins and B vitamins such as riboflavin and thiamine. In addition, the leaves contain ascorbic acid, potassium and carotene; the juice extracted from the root contains bitters lactucin, lactucopicrin, taraxasterol, etc. Fatty oils can make up up to 30% of blue flower seeds.

Photo gallery

When to collect chicory (video)

Medicinal and beneficial properties of the root, herb and seeds of chicory

Thanks to the chemical composition rich in useful substances, roadside grass has a whole list of healing properties. The main ones are stimulation of digestive processes, slowing down rapid heart rates and a calming effect on the central region. nervous system. Shcherbak will also have a beneficial effect on the secretion of urine and bile, stop diarrhea, increase appetite, lower fever and relieve severe pain of various types. Due to such a wide spectrum of action, this herb has been valued by healers as a versatile medicine since ancient times, when herbalism occupied a prominent position in official medicine.

According to the effects produced by chicory extract on the body, the herb can be used in the fight against diseases such as diabetes, hepatitis, cholecystitis, cholangitis, gastritis, enterocolitis, stomatitis, conjunctivitis, gout, radiculitis and many others. In addition, decoctions from the root of the roadside herb are recommended for patients bitten by snakes, scorpions and lizards during the recovery period after a critical condition and the administration of an antidote.

Traditional medicine recipes often include petrov whip in preparations that help with loss of strength, incontinence, nephritis and even some skin diseases (boils, carbuncles, eczema, acne). Today this plant is recognized even in professional medical circles. th: preparations with chicory are prescribed as wound healing and anti-inflammatory agents.

Growing common chicory

Having learned about the benefits that unpretentious chicory can bring to health, not a single owner of the plot will refuse to plant it in his flowerbed. Despite the fact that it is a half-weed plant that does not require special conditions, to obtain a large and high-quality harvest of healing herbs, you need to remember a few simple rules.

Planting chicory on the site

The technology for planting common chicory involves several stages. Firstly, rotted manure is applied to loamy, loose and neutral soil in the fall, which after 14 days is dug up to a depth of about 0.3 m. Secondly, in the spring a complex of mineral fertilizers and ash is applied (and again dug up to a depth of 25-30 cm. ). Thirdly, in March-April, acquire seedlings, which are then planted in open ground in May. As an alternative, you can try sowing chicory with seeds, but in this case you need to remember 3-4 months - the period required for the formation of a good root crop. Seeds are sown in rows(row spacing is 20 cm), double-line tapes or thickened planting 20x20 cm. Seedlings should be planted to a depth of no more than 2 cm. At the end of sowing, the area is rolled.

Medicinal properties of chicory (video)

Chicory care

The main procedures for caring for chicory are regular but moderate watering with warm water, deep loosening of the rows after watering and precipitation, frequent weeding (you especially need to be careful of woodlice, sow thistle and sowweed) and fertilizing with a mineral complex if necessary.

Collection and preparation of chicory

The root is used for decoctions and tinctures. It needs to be harvested in the fall: dig it up, wash it cold water, dry, cut into pieces and put away to dry. The root can be dried both in the open air and in drying chamber. Harvested raw materials are stored for no more than two years.

The tops are collected in the summer, during the flowering of roadside grass. The top 30 cm of the stem along with the inflorescences are cut and dried in the same way as the roots; It should be remembered that their shelf life is much shorter - only 1 year.

Areas of application of chicory

For most people, chicory is a coffee substitute, but its properties have made it possible to use the herb both in folk medicine and in modern cosmetology.

Chicory in folk medicine

• Root vegetable decoction. 1 tablespoon of raw material is brewed in ½ liter of boiling water, and then boiled for 30 minutes. The cooled broth is filtered and taken in a spoon three times a day before meals. The product is extremely effective for improving appetite and the state of the gastrointestinal tract in general.
• Infusion from the rhizome. 1 tbsp. pour 500 ml of boiling water, leave covered for 3-4 hours and filter, squeezing out the remaining root. Dosage – half a glass, use before each meal. The drug is prescribed for the treatment of gastrointestinal tract, bladder and skin diseases.
• Fresh chicory juice for skin diseases and anemia. Young shoots are cut off during the formation of buds, scalded and passed through a meat grinder. The resulting mixture is squeezed through cheesecloth, and the squeezed juice is boiled for 2-3 minutes. Take 1 teaspoon with honey 4 times a day.
• Root lotions. You need equal parts of the root and aerial parts: 4 tbsp. spoons of raw material are boiled for half an hour in a glass of water, squeezed out and cooled. The remedy is taken in the form of baths or douches for three or more days.

Chicory in cosmetology

Due to its beneficial properties, blue flower extract is a common component in many hair care products (rinses, shampoos, balms). This herb treats not only hair, but also skin, fighting inflammation, acne, eczema and furunculosis, so it is also included in masks and wash gels.

Preparation and benefits of a drink made from chicory powder

Today, chicory powder can be found in stores, and

It is perhaps difficult to find a person on Earth who has never seen this plant in his life. True, not everyone knows that this particular blue flower and is called chicory. This is perennial herbaceous plant from the Astrov family is widely used in medicine, cooking and cosmetics.

What does it look like?

The stem of chicory is erect, resembling a green twig, with a height of 20 to 130 cm, depending on the soil, humidity and light. The stem is rough to the touch and slightly branched. The basal leaves are quite large, with small teeth along the edges of the leaves; closer to the stem they taper, forming a stalk. Upper leaves very small, oblong on the stem. Buds and flowers are located in the axils of the leaves and nodes at the branches of the stem. At the top of the stem there are from 1 to 5 flowers, and on just one plant when favorable conditions their number can reach 50.

Blooms from June to October. In late autumn it blue flowers They often delight the eye right up to the establishment of snow cover. Their size is 1.5-2.5 cm. They have different colors depending on lighting, soil fertility and other conditions. In a sunny place they turn blue-violet, in more shady places– light blue or blue, sometimes pink or completely light flowers up to pure white.

The shape of the flower resembles an aster or a daisy, only in the center there is not a dense basket, like daisies, but sparse stamens of the same blue or light blue color. The ends of the petals often have 5, less often 3, 7 or 9 teeth. The root is from 30 to 79 cm long, weakly branched or straight, light brown, milky juice is released at the break. It is also contained in stems and leaves. The seeds are small, ripen in autumn, and are in oblong brown boxes.

Where does it grow?

The distribution area of ​​chicory is very extensive. It covers temperate, subtropical and tropical zones on all continents except Antarctica. It grows in meadows and lawns, next to buildings and in forest clearings, along roads, in vacant lots and pastures. Often found in gardens and vegetable gardens as a weed. Some hobbyists grow chicory specifically for its sake. medicinal properties. Breeders have also begun to work on it, some are trying to develop varieties that have decorative qualities, others are trying to develop varieties used as vegetable crop. Leaf varieties are valued for their leaves, which can be used in vitamin-rich salads, and the roots for preparing first and second courses and as a coffee substitute.

In Belgium, this plant ranks second among the vegetables consumed, in Holland – third, in France – fourth. Among largest producers chicory – Italy, Spain, USA, China, Belarus and Ukraine. In Russia, the history of cultivation goes back two hundred years. There is even an ancient variety - Yaroslavl, which is still found in fields and vegetable gardens in the Yaroslavl, Novgorod and Ivanovo regions.

The history of the use of chicory goes back centuries. About him beneficial properties Hippocrates and Galen were aware, and in the Middle Ages Avicenna wrote a whole treatise, which was called “Treatise on Chicory”.

Useful and healing properties

Chicory roots contain a lot of inulin. This polysaccharide is broken down by gastric juice, turning into fructose, which lowers blood sugar levels, which is important for diabetics. But the benefits of inulin are not limited to this. It improves immunity, removes “bad” cholesterol, cleanses the intestines of waste and toxins, promotes the proliferation of bifidobacteria in the intestines, increases hemoglobin, strengthens bones, improves metabolism and protects the liver, promotes the absorption of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron and copper from food.

Inulin can be bought at the pharmacy, but in chicory it works in combination with other substances that enhance its effect.

Chicory has a choleretic, diuretic, sedative, vasodilator and antimicrobial effect.

It is used in medicine for a very impressive number of diseases, these are:

• hepatitis;
• gastritis;
• stomach ulcer;
• anemia;
• anorexia;
• exhaustion;
• thyrotoxicosis;
• diabetes;
• pancreatitis;
• cystitis;
• nephritis;
• urinary incontinence;
• enteritis.

In folk medicine, this list is supplemented by:

• insomnia;
• impotence;
• toothache;
• gout;
• heartburn;
• constipation;
• inflammatory eye diseases;
• myopia;
• farsightedness;
• joint pain;
• tuberculosis;
• hypertension;
• angina;
• inflammation of the lymph nodes;
• toxicosis of pregnant women;
• allergy;
• psoriasis;
• eczema;
• diathesis;
• old wounds.

As the medicinal properties are studied and confirmed, folk experience gains scientific recognition.

Compound

In terms of inulin content, chicory is a record holder. Its content in freshly collected roots is 14-20%, and in dried roots – up to 70%. This is much more than in the roots of Jerusalem artichoke. The roots and leaves contain B vitamins, including choline, which helps with brain function. The leaves contain a lot of folic acid (100 g contains more than half the daily requirement), a significant amount of ascorbic acid, iron and potassium.

There are others minerals(calcium, magnesium and phosphorus), but their content is not so high. Of the microelements, the high content of zinc, copper, chromium and manganese in the leaves and roots of chicory should be noted; there is also selenium, nickel and zirconium.

The bitter taste is due to the glycoside intibin. The leaves contain up to 4% protein, as well as coumarins and flavonoids. The seeds can contain up to 28-30% fatty oil, and the inflorescence also contains caffeine.

Harm and contraindications

Patients with varicose veins and hemorrhoids, as well as people with low blood pressure, should use chicory with caution. Contraindicated in case of high acidity of gastric juice and exacerbation of ulcers. It should also not be given to children under 3 years of age. The simultaneous use of chicory with antibiotics interferes with their absorption, so this combination is undesirable.

What parts of the plant are used?

All parts of the plant are used for medicinal purposes: rhizomes, leaves, small stems, buds and flowers. Fresh leaves are suitable for salads. Dried roots are used instead of coffee or all kinds of medicinal decoctions and infusions are prepared from them. The above-ground parts of the plant are also used to make medicines.

Collection and storage

The roots are harvested in late autumn, most often in October, when they contain the most useful substances. Harvesting can also be done in early spring, but only at the very beginning of leaf regrowth; later, the content of nutrients in the roots decreases sharply. It is better to do this after rains; it is much easier to dig up roots from damp soil, since in damp weather the rhizome is more elastic. The roots are carefully dug in from all sides to the full depth and pulled out. Then they are cleared of soil, washed in running cold water, dried with a paper napkin, small shoots are removed with a knife, leaving the main root and fairly thick shoots. Long roots are cut crosswise into small pieces, and thick ones are also cut lengthwise.

You can dry the roots in room conditions within 10-14 days. The criterion for readiness is that when bent, the roots break with a bang, but do not crumble. You can also dry them in the open air, but you need to protect them from rain and direct sunlight. Drying in natural conditions promotes maximum preservation of nutrients. If you don't have enough space or time, you can use dryers for dried fruits.

You can dry chicory under infrared lamp, if one is available, and if not, just put it in the oven. In this case, the roots are laid out on baking sheets lined with paper. In this case, the door must be left open, and the temperature should not exceed 50-55 degrees. The drying time will be from 5 to 7 hours.

The aerial part of chicory is also used for medicinal purposes. Cut off the top part of the plant, 30-35 cm long. It is better to collect plants in dry, clear weather, in the morning after the dew has dried. The collected grass is sorted out, yellowed leaves are removed, the grass is cut into pieces 3-4 cm long or dried whole. This requires a dry, well-ventilated, shaded place. An attic or dressing room will do. In the latter case, it should be ventilated more often. It is better to dry the crushed raw materials on sieves for better air exchange. If dried entirely, then you can use trays, remembering to turn them daily. You can tie the grass into small bunches and hang it. Drying is complete if the stems break easily with a slight crack.

Dried roots are best stored in dark glass jars. Shelf life is no more than 3 years. The roots can be ground in a coffee grinder and then lightly fried. This product can replace coffee. This product should be stored in a dark place in tightly closed glass jars for no more than 2 years.

Dried herbs can be stored for a year in paper bags, glass jars or canvas bags. You can also dry the leaves of wild or cultivated chicory. They are laid out on baking sheets lined with clean paper. After drying, the leaves are crushed.

Application

In medicine

Folk memory has preserved many ancient recipes for treating many different diseases with chicory. New recipes are also appearing. The root is most often used in the form of a decoction or infusion. To prepare the decoction, 1 tsp. Finely ground dried root in a coffee grinder, pour into a glass cold water and put on fire. Cook for 2-3 minutes and let it brew. Take one glass 3 times a day for exhaustion, anemia and loss of strength.

The infusion is prepared by taking 2 tsp. chicory for 1 cup boiling water. Stir, wrap or pour into a thermos, leave for 2 hours. Take 2 tbsp. spoons before meals for diseases of the stomach, pancreas, liver and bile ducts. The infusion can be used to rinse your mouth for toothache and stomatitis. For boils, dermatitis, eczema, take 100 g orally 3 times a day, and also apply externally in the form of baths and compresses. For paresis, sore spots are rubbed with an alcohol tincture of chicory herb.

In cooking

Cultivated root or salad varieties of chicory are used for food, and in their absence, you can also take wild plants. The bitter taste of chicory roots and leaves is much less pronounced if they are soaked before cooking, although some of the beneficial substances are lost. Crushed chicory roots are used as a flavoring additive in baked goods, confectionery and cakes. They give baked goods a delicate nutty taste.

Chicory can be brewed as tea by taking 1 tsp. powder per glass of water. At the same time, it is kept on fire for 2 minutes. To improve the taste, add sugar, or even better, a teaspoon of honey. The coffee drink is prepared from roasted and crushed roots. The preparation method is the same as for tea. Sugar and milk are added to the finished drink. Ground chicory makes a wonderful seasoning that gives meat, fish and vegetable dishes a unique taste. Cultivated root varieties form a medium-sized root vegetable that can be stewed and fried, and also added to soups.

You can add the plant to a tomato salad in the amount of 1-2 roots per 4-5 pieces. tomatoes. Also add half a lemon, a teaspoon of sugar and season with vegetable oil to the salad. The most commonly grown leaf varieties of chicory are witloof, endive, radicchio (or otherwise radiccio) and escarole.

Witloof is especially interesting. This delicacy produces a small white head, appearance reminiscent Chinese cabbage, only much less. It is wonderful both fresh in salads and fried in oil as a side dish for meat and fish dishes. In salads, it goes well with cheese, feta cheese, nuts, pears, apples and avocado.

In cosmetics

Ointments and tinctures with dried chicory powder are used in medicinal cosmetics. They are very effective for eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and boils. For bags under the eyes, make a cold compress from an infusion of roots or herbs. Chicory promotes collagen production and skin rejuvenation. It is also good for hair. Chicory is used in shampoos that strengthen hair and promote rapid growth and restoration.

You can use infusions to pour over your hair after washing. Or you can prepare a hair mask by making infusions of chicory, burdock and lovage roots, apply it to your hair along with the grounds, leave for 20-30 minutes and rinse with water.

To find out which is healthier - tea or chicory, see the following video.

Common chicory is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. It is quite common in tropical and temperate latitudes of Eurasia. In addition, it grows in certain areas of Africa, as well as in North and South America. It is also found on a number of Pacific islands and Atlantic Oceans. In reality, not all people know what chicory looks like, although it is difficult to find a person who has not seen this herb at least once in their life. It is unique in that the leaves, stems, flowers, roots have healing properties, therefore, since ancient times, chicory has been actively used to improve general tone and treat certain pathological conditions

Common chicory is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family.

It is often found on lawns, along the edges of roads, in fields and vegetable gardens; most often it acts as a weed, so it goes unnoticed.

Wild forms of this herb are perennial, while cultivated forms are biennial. A complete description of all types has already been given. The grass is distinguished by the presence of a long root - a rod extending 30-70 cm into the soil. Laticifers are present in all organs. The stem is usually erect. Vertical growth is provided by solid vertical fibers. The stem looks like a thin green twig. Its surface is usually rough. The length of the stem, depending on the growing conditions of chicory, can reach from 15 to 120 cm in length. It usually has several branches, the basal leaves are usually different large size. They are oblong and have a jagged edge. At the very base they taper, forming a stalk. On upper layers the leaves are very small in size and extremely few in number.

Found on a number of islands in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans

This herb usually blooms from June to September. The baskets can be either single or clustered in several pieces at the top of each branch of the stem. In addition, flowers are formed in the axils located on the side and main stems. There can be up to 50 of them on one stem. The flowers have a fairly simple structure. The corolla is about 15-25 mm in diameter. Typically the petals are blue, light blue or white.

After pollination, the ovary is formed, and then the multifaceted fruit.

Once ripe, the seeds can be easily dispersed by wind. Usually sowing occurs close to mother plant. This herb is considered an excellent honey plant. In favorable weather, honey productivity can be about 100 kg per hectare of thickets. It is quite tenacious, so it quickly increases the area of ​​its crops. Currently, some gardeners are growing cultivated varieties of this useful herb.

Gallery: common chicory (25 photos)

Chemical composition and rules for collecting the plant

Chicory is a unique plant. The inclusion of active substances in it is heterogeneous. The greatest number of them is in the root, where the grass stores compounds that will allow it to more easily survive the most difficult times. unfavorable periods. In the same time healing properties have all parts of the medicinal herb. The roots contain up to 11% inulin polysaccharide. In addition, chicory contains a huge amount of proteins, the mass of which can reach 4%. The specific taste that distinguishes the roots is due to the presence of the glycoside intibine in them. Among other things, weed is rich in:

• ascorbic acid;
• thiamine;
• carotene;
• riboflavin;
• tannins.

The grass usually blooms from June to September

The flowers contain a high content of coumarin glycosides. Chicory root contains macroelements such as zinc, iron, nickel, chromium, zirconium and copper. Among other things, large amounts of lactucopicrin and lactucin are found in the milky juice. The seeds of this plant are also valuable. They contain up to 28% fatty oils. In addition, young leaves have a high content of inulin, carotene and potassium salts.

Common chicory (video)

Medicinal properties of common chicory

Due to its high content of bitter substances, the herb is indispensable for people who want to gain weight, as it significantly increases appetite and the production of various digestive enzymes. In addition, it is recommended to be included in the diet of people suffering from diabetes. In the presence of this disease, chicory roots help normalize general condition, as well as reducing sugar levels in the urine. Thus, regular consumption helps diabetics delay the development of severe complications.

This plant has found its best use in dietetics

Among other things, hot infusions of the root of this herb have an astringent and antimicrobial effect. They contribute to significant improvements in performance digestive system. The positive effect of medicinal herbs has also been proven in relation to heart function. Regular consumption of drinks based on it helps improve its functioning and increase the tone of the vascular system. In addition, substances contained in the plant have an easy sedative effect. In addition, in folk medicine it is used as an excellent choleretic agent. Given the high content of vitamin C in all parts of this plant, it has been actively used to treat scurvy since ancient times. Also in folk medicine, chicory was used to eliminate the following diseases:

• insomnia;
• hepatitis;
• gastritis;
• cystitis;
• anemia;
• malaria;
• gout;
• jaundice;
• tuberculosis;
• nephritis;
• stomach ulcer;
• urinary incontinence;
• haemorrhoids;
• toothache;
• enteritis.

Ground ash of this plant long time used to treat leishmaniasis. In addition, decoctions and infusions of chicory were actively used to eliminate inflammatory processes of the eyes, various dermatological diseases, and old wounds.

Among other things, the steamed aerial part of the plant was used as compresses for inflammatory processes affecting the lymph nodes and for joint pain.

Treatment with chicory can act exclusively as an additional method of therapy for a particular pathological condition. Before using this folk remedy, you should definitely consult a doctor who is familiar with the patient’s medical history.

For further use for medicinal purposes, the aerial parts of the plant are collected throughout the entire flowering period. 30 cm of the top of the stems is cut off. Raw materials are hung in attics or barns where there is no direct sunlight. Rhizomes are usually harvested in the fall, when they contain greatest number useful substances.

Treatment with chicory can act exclusively as an additional method of therapy for a particular pathological condition.

Healing recipes

Like any other folk remedy, it is very important to prepare this plant properly before using it. To increase appetite and normalize the digestion process, it is better to use a decoction. To prepare it you should take 1 tbsp. l. chopped chicory root and pour ½ l hot water. This mixture should be moved to low heat and boiled for about 30 minutes. The resulting product should be filtered through cheesecloth and taken 1 tbsp. l. before meals 3 times a day. This remedy can be used to improve bile production and enhance the outflow of excess fluid.

To improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, it is recommended to use an infusion of chicory root. To prepare this healing remedy, take 3 tbsp. l. powdered plant component and pour about 0.5 liters of boiling water. This product must be transferred to a closed container and left to infuse for 1 hour. Next, the composition must be filtered. The resulting liquid should be consumed ½ glass before meals.

Freshly squeezed juice of the roots and leaves is usually used to treat external wounds. For getting maximum quantity of this substance, you should first grind the plant components into a paste and then squeeze it thoroughly. The juice should be diluted with a small amount of water and used to irrigate areas damaged by acne, furunculosis or eczema.

The fresh juice of such a plant is also used for internal use. Usually in this case, the liquid is extracted from young shoots that have just begun to form buds. First of all, you need to pour boiling water over the greens and rinse thoroughly with cool water. boiled water. Next, it must be thoroughly ground to a pulp. After this, add a small amount of honey to the juice and take 1 tsp. 3-4 times a day. This remedy is usually used to treat anemia and pathologies of the cardiovascular system. To eliminate these problems, the course of treatment must be continued for one and a half months. A mixture of chicory, carrot and celery juices helps restore vision.

To eliminate gastritis, it is recommended to use an infusion of the flowers of this unique plant. To prepare this product you need to take 5 tbsp. l. vegetable ingredient and pour 1 liter of hot water. Next, the liquid should be transferred to the fire and boiled for 15 minutes. The finished product should be cooled until room temperature, strain and drink ½ glass 3 times a day before meals.

For diathesis and some other dermatological problems, you can use a strong decoction of the root of this plant. To prepare it, take 5 tbsp. l. crushed component and pour 1 glass of hot water. The mixture must be boiled for 20 minutes. Next, you need to move it into a thermos for a day. The cooled and strained broth is subsequently used for lotions.

Healthy recipes (video)

Use of the plant in cooking

Chicory root has long been used as a flavoring additive. First of all, this herbal component is a healthier coffee substitute. To prepare the drink, dried and well-roasted root is used. In addition, the root contains a lot of fructose, so it can be used to produce alcohol. Syrup is actively used in the confectionery industry. Among other things, the root of this plant is currently actively used for preservation.

The pulp of this plant component goes well with onions, cucumbers and sweet peppers, so many gourmets use it to add to salads. In addition, the root is used to prepare vinaigrettes. This plant, stewed in butter with egg sauce, is an excellent side dish for meat dishes. It is often included in the menu by people who want to keep themselves in shape, including through proper nutrition. In some countries, a leafy variety of chicory is grown, which is used as a flavoring agent in the preparation of a wide variety of dishes.

Contraindications for use

Considering the large number of biologically active substances contained in this plant, not all people can use it for the treatment of various diseases and as food. Chicory root, leaves and flowers do not contain toxic substances, so they cannot cause poisoning. At the same time, people who have individual intolerance to certain components should not use this plant, as this can cause severe allergic reactions. It is not recommended to consume chicory for people suffering from varicose veins. Additionally, this herb should not be used to treat those suffering from hemorrhoids, as it can significantly worsen the condition. Among other things, you should not carry out chicory therapy if you have bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis.

People suffering from stomach ulcers, high acidity, gastritis, kidney pathology, gout and arthritis should use chicory with extreme caution. If you have diseases of the nervous system and prolonged depression, you can use the drug only after consulting a doctor. In addition, it is not recommended to use this plant for people suffering from obesity, since the substances contained in it help increase appetite.