Common Name: |
Hendibeh |
Other Names: |
Blue Sailors, Chicory, Garden Endive, Succory, Wild Chicory |
Botanical Name: |
Cichorium intybus |
Genus: |
Cichorium |
Family: |
Asteraceae |
Native Location: |
Europe, W Asia, N Africa; naturalized in N America |
Cultivation: |
Well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in sun. |
Propagation: |
By seed sown in autumn or spring, thinned to 25cm (10in) apart. May self-seed, becoming a weed in dry, alkaline soil. |
Harvest: |
Roots are lifted in early spring of the second year and sliced before roasting at 180°C (350°F) as a coffee additive, or drying for decoctions and liquid extracts. Chicons are produced by lifting roots in the autumn of the first year, cutting off leaves and packing in boxes kept in complete darkness at 10°C (50°F) for 4 weeks. Loose-leaf chicories are harvested when mature. Flowers and sap are collected in the summer. |
Height: |
30cm-1.2m (1-4ft) |
Width: |
45-60cm (18-24in) |
Variations: |
Red Devil Is one of several radicchio-type cultivars the produce loose, deep red, white-veined cabbage-like heads that mature in autumn and withstand early frosts. Height: 15-20cm (6-8in) Width: 7-10cm (3-4in) |
Hardiness: |
Z3-10 |
Parts Used: |
Leaves, flowers, roots, sap |
Properties: |
A bitter, diuretic, laxative herb that reduces inflammation and has a tonic effect on the liver and gall bladder. |
Medicinal Uses: |
Internally for liver complaints, rheumatism, gout and hemorrhoids. Regarded as a cooling, alterative herb in Ayurvedic medicine. To treat digestive problems, headaches, skin allergies, and diarrhea; as a laxative. Germany's Commission E has approved the use of chicory to treat dyspeptic complaints (such as fullness, heartburn, and bloating) and loss of appetite. |
Typical Dose: |
A daily typical dose of chicory may range from 3 to 5 gm of the root per day. |
Possible Side Effects: |
Chicory's side effects include allergic reactions in those who are sensitive to the Asteraceae (daisy) family (chrysanthemums, daisies, marigolds, ragweed, etc.) |
Drug Interactions: |
Taking Chicory with these drugs may increase the drug's antianginal effects: |
Bepridil, (Vascor) |
Diltiazem, (Cardizem, Tiazac) |
Nifedipine, (Adalat CC, Procardia) |
Verapamil, (Calan, Isoptin SR) |
|
Culinary Uses: |
Looseleaf chicories are boiled to remove bitterness and served with white or cheese sauce; heads of Witloof and radicchio chicories are eaten in salads or cooked as a vegetable. Roasted root is added to coffee. Flowers can be added to salads. Chewing gum (da-sakizi) is made from sap (Turkey). |
Bibliography: |
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. Pp 168-169 The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grosberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.146-147 |