Biological NameCichorium intybus                                                                                                           OtherNames: wild succory, endive, Chicory, garden chicory, Succory, garden endive, wild chicory
Elements Applied: Root and green parts of the plant are applied in the period of blossoming.


The Wild Succory (Cichorium intybus) is a common roadside English plant, white or blue, belonging to the Composite order, and called also Turnsole, because it always turns its flowers towards the sun.It blows with a blue blossom somewhat paler than the Cornflower, but "bearing a golden heart."Its fresh root is bitter, and a milky juice flows from the rind, which is somewhat aperient and slightly sedative, so that this specially suits persons troubled with bilious torpor, and jaundice combined with melancholy. An infusion of the herb is useful for skin eruptions connected with gout. If the root and leaves are taken freely, they will produce a gentle diarrhea, their virtue lying chiefly in the milky juice; and on good authority the plant has been pronounced useful against pulmonary consumption. In Germany it is called Wegwort, or "waiting on the way." The Syrup of Succory is an excellent laxative for children.

 white succory, chicory.
 The Succory or Cichorium was known to the Romans, and was eaten by them as a vegetable, or in salads. This Succory plant bears also the name of Rostrum porcinum. Its leaves, when bruised, make a good poultice for inflamed eyes, being outwardly applied to the grieved place. Also the leaves when boiled in pottage or broths for sick and feeble persons that have hot, weak, and feeble stomachs, do strengthen the same.
 It is said that the roots, if put into heaps and dried, are liable to spontaneous combustion. The tap root of the cultivated plant is roasted in France, and mixed with coffee, to which, when infused, it gives a bitter taste and a dark colour.

The chemical constituents of Succory and Chicory are--in addition to those ordinarily appertaining to vegetables--inulin, and a special bitter principle not named. chicory, when taken too habitually or too freely, causes venous passive congestion in the digestive organs within the abdomen, and a fullness of blood in the head. Both it and Succory, if used in excess as a medicine, will bring about amaurosis, or loss of visual power in the retina of the eyes. Therefore, when given in a much diluted form they are remedial for these affections. 




The only benefit of quality which Chicory gives to coffee is by increase of color and body, with some bitterness, but not by possessing any aroma, or fragrant oil, or stimulating virtue. French writers say it is contra-stimulante, and serving to correct the excitation caused by the active principles of coffee, and therefore it suits
sanguineo-bilious subjects who suffer from habitual tonic constipation. But it is ill adapted for persons whose vital energy soon flags; and for lymphatic, or bloodless people its use should be altogether forbidden.The flowers of Succory used to rank among the four cordial flowers, and a water was distilled from them to allay inflammation of the eyes. The seeds contain abundantly a demulcent oil, whilst the petals furnish a glucoside which is colorless unless treated with alkalies, when it becomes of a golden yellow.                                                                                                                Additional Info: Chicory belongs to perennials and is specially raised in Europe and the USA, where it is also met wild. The rhizome is yellow on the surface, white inside, and features milky juice with bitter taste. The branch stem features lanceolate leaves. The flowers are blue to purple-colored and toothed at the top. The blossoming period starts in midsummer and ends in the first half of autumn.Preparation and Intake: The rhizome should be collected in spring.To make a decoction take a teaspoon of rhizome of green herb for half a cup of cold water, boil it up and filter the result. This should be used in a quantity of a cup to cup and a half per day, a swallow at a time.Herb juice is taken at a dose of one tablespoon diluted in water or milk, thrice per day.Safety: There is no data concerning the plant’s safety level. Still, it is possible that the herb interacts with the medicine you use. Speak with your health-care provider before taking the remedy.

 
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