Common chicory
Cichorium intybusTaxon: family Asteraceae
Other names: wild chicory, petrovy batoga, shcherbak, petrov whip, blue batogi, serpnik, black companion, yellowish, shkerda, endevy
English: Chicory, Wild Succory
The scientific name of plants of the genus chicory was first mentioned in the works Greek philosophers Theophrastus and Dioscorides, who call this plant Kichore and Kichorion ("kio" - to go and "chorion" - untouched place, field). The plant mainly grows on the outskirts of fields. The specific Latin name intybus comes from Greek word"Entomos" - incised (in the shape of a leaf) or from the Latin "tubus" - a tube (due to the hollow stem). The German name wegewarte - "road watchman", "plantain" - emphasizes that the plant grows along fields, near roads. The Ukrainians call the chicory "Petriv batig" for the woody strength of the shoot.
Botanical description of chicory
- a perennial herb with a fleshy fusiform taproot up to 1.5 m long and milky sap. The stem is erect, ribbed, 30–120 cm in height, with branched rod-shaped branches. Basal leaves are vat-pinnate or slightly lobed, narrowed at the base into a stalk, collected in a rosette; stem leaves are alternate, lanceolate, sharp-toothed, with a wide base, sessile; the upper ones are lanceolate, whole. Flowers are bisexual, in baskets, located singly at the tops of the branches and 2–5 in the axils of the upper leaves. The corolla is blue (rarely white or pink), ligulate, with five teeth. Blooms from June to September. The fruit is achene. The plant is a valuable honey plant, produces a lot of nectar and pollen.Chicory spread
Common chicory grows throughout Europe, in Asia - to Lake Baikal, India and East Asia, in South and North Africa, North, Central and South America, Australia and New Zealand. It is found in meadows, along roads, along ditches, like a weed in weedy wastelands, in places it forms large thickets.Collection and procurement of medicinal raw materials of chicory
For medicinal purposes, the roots of wild and cultivated species of chicory (Radix Cichorii) are used, in particular the roots of varieties of chicory garden (Cichorium endivia L.) (which is now widely cultivated as an industrial crop). Less commonly in scientific and practical medicine, wild chicory herb and tops of cultivated species and forms of wild chicory and garden chicory (Herba Cichorii) are used. The roots of well-developed plants are dug up in the fall, shaken off the ground, washed in cold water, freed from the stems, if necessary, cut up and down. Dried on fresh air or in a dryer at temperatures up to 50 ° C. The finished raw materials are stored in dry, cool rooms with good ventilation. The grass is harvested during the flowering period of the plant, cutting off the tops of the stems 30 cm long. The collected raw materials are dried in the shade on outdoors either in a well-ventilated room, spread in a thin layer, or in a dryer at temperatures up to 40 ° C.Chicory is cultivated in Western Europe, Asia (India, Indonesia), America (USA, Brazil). The yield of cultivated varieties of chicory is not inferior to sugar beet, amounting to 15-17 tons per hectare. A wild chicory planted with seed or seedlings, it grows very quickly in fertilized soil as an annual crop, requiring little maintenance.
Chicory roots are included in the Pharmacopoeia of Russia, Belarus, Poland, Czech Republic, Sweden, France, Hungary and some other countries. To obtain biologically active food additives and dietary products, cultivated varieties of common chicory are also used.
Biologically active substances of chicory
Chicory roots are rich in carbohydrates, in particular fructosans (4.7–6.5%). They contain up to 4.5-9.5% free fructose and its water-soluble polymer - inulin. The content of inulin in the roots of wild-growing chicory reaches 49%, and in cultivated varieties - up to 61%. The leaves and seeds of the plant are also rich in inulin. Besides inulin, chicory contains other less polymerized fructosans (inulides), which consist of 10–12 residues of fructose and are slightly soluble in water.
A characteristic component of the plant roots is the glycosidic substance intibin (0.032–0.2%). It is a colorless gelatinous substance of indeterminate composition and bitter taste. I. Schormuller et al. (1961), using gas chromatography and chromatography methods, found organic acids in dry powdered extracts of chicory roots, the main part of which is acetic, malic, succinic and citric, as well as lactic and tartaric acids. Their total content in the roots of the first year reaches 11–12% in terms of dry weight. The presence of formic acid in the roots (507-584.2 mg%) was also established. During ontogenesis, the amount of organic acids decreases by 3.5–4 times. In the roots of chicory, phenolcarboxylic acids were also found - isomers of chlorogenic acid: neochlorogenic and isochlorogenic. The content of chlorogenic acid in fresh roots is up to 5.5%, and in fried roots - up to 2.2%.
In addition, the roots of the plant include fatty acids (linoleic, palmitic, linolenic, stearic), sterols (α-amyrin, taraxasterol, β-sitosterol), resins, choline. It was found that chicory roots accumulate a number of microelements - nickel, zirconium, vanadium, in large quantities - iron, chromium, zinc, copper (Yavorsky O. I. and Rogovskaya L. Ya., 1994).
In 1958 p. L. Doleys et al. isolated sesquiterpene lactone lactucin from the juice of chicory roots and determined its structure on the basis of spectroscopic studies and chemical transformations. Other sesquiterpene lactones (8-deoxylactucin, lactucopicrin - monoester of paraoxyphenylacetic acid and lactucin, magnolialide, artesin), as well as esculelicuerin flavonoids (Rees SB and Harborne JB, 1985). E. Leclerq and J. T. Netjes (1985) proposed a method for obtaining bitterness from chicory roots by enzymatic treatment with preparations that contain pecto- and cellolytic enzymes. Lactucin and 8-deoxylactucin were obtained from the chloroform extract, and lactucopicrin, from its precipitate.
Using silica gel thin layer chromatography G, color reactions, and a photocolorimetric method, S. I. Balbaa et al. (1973) identified classes of compounds that are found in 8 varieties of chicory. All varieties contain flavonoids, catechin tannins, glycosides, carbohydrates, unsaturated sterols and triterpenoids. At the same time, the absence of saponins and alkaloids in the roots of chicory was indicated.
When chicory roots are roasted, chicoryol is obtained - a volatile substance with a characteristic odor, in which acetic and valeric acids, acrolein, furfural and furfuric alcohol are identified.
In addition to sesquiterpene lactones, chicory milk juice also contains triterpene taraxasterol, hydroxycinnamic acids (chicory, or 2,3-dicofeyltartaric acid), traces of essential oil, choline, rubber.
In the aerial part of chicory, oxycoumarins were found: esculetin and its 7-glucoside - chicoriin (chicorine), esculin, scopoletin, umbeliferon. It has been established that the relative content of esculetin and chicorine prevails over the content of other oxycoumarins (Demyanenko V.G. and Dranik L.I., 1971). The inflorescence with leaves is characterized by the highest content of esculetin and its glycosides - up to 0.96% of dry weight (Fedorin G.F. et al., 1974).
Wild chicory herb contains flavonoids: apigenin, luteolin-7-o-β-D-glucopyranoside, quercetin-3-o-β-L-rhamnoside, quercetin-3-o-β-D-galactoside, apigenin-7-o- L-arabinoside. In chicory grass, kaempferol-3-o-glucoside, kaempferol-3-o-glucuronide, and kaempferol-3-o- were found.
It also contains oxycinnamic acids (chicory, caffeic, chlorogenic, neochlorogenic, 3-feruloylquinic, 3-n-coumaroylquinic), triterpenes, simple pyrone maltol, ascorbic acid (10 mg%), carotene (1.3 mg%), vitamins В1 (0.05 mg%), В2 (0.03 mg%), PP (0.24 mg%), trace elements - manganese (12 mg%), iron (0.7 mg%).
In the study of chicory inflorescences, it was found that anthocyanins - derivatives of delphinidin, in particular 3,5-di-o- (6-o-malonyl-β-D-glucoside) delphinidin, 3-o- (6 -o-malonyl-β-D-glucoside) -5-o-β-D-delphinidin glucoside, 3-o - (- D-glucoside-5-o- (6-o-malonyl-β-D-glucoside) delphinidin and 3,5-di-o-β-D-glucoside of delphinidin (Norbaek R. et al., 2002).
An acylated cyanidin glycoside was also found in chicory leaves, and protocatechol aldehyde was found in seeds.
The history of the use of chicory in medicine
V folk medicine chicory has been used since ancient times. The roots of chicory are mentioned in the writings of Pliny, Forecal, Theophrastus. An analysis of the prescription formulas of ancient Arabic and Armenian medicine indicates that chicory was part of various medicines that were used to treat wounds, diseases of the digestive system and liver. Ibn Sina used chicory to treat diseases of the stomach and intestines, fever, inflammation of the eyes and as a thirst quencher. He recommended applying bandages moistened with chicory decoction to the joints for gout and to the bites of scorpions, snakes and lizards.Since ancient times, chicory has been considered a food plant. It was known to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans who used the leaves of the plant to make savory salads. Interest in chicory in Europe reappeared in the late Middle Ages, when they learned to make a coffee substitute from the crushed and toasted roots of chicory. The use of the so-called "Prussian coffee" with chicory is evidenced by a manuscript with a corresponding recipe, which was found in the city of Padua and dates back to 1600. After evaluating the taste of a coffee drink made from chicory, Dutch peasants began to cultivate this plant at the end of the 18th century. Beginning in 1770, the chicory drink made a real boom among coffee lovers in Paris, and eventually throughout France. There is still a debate about the priority of chicory coffee between the residents of the Harz and Paris. At the end of the 18th century. industrial plantations of chicory and factories for processing roots began to be created in Germany. Nevertheless, regardless of the European origin of the coffee drink made from chicory, in the nineteenth century. in France it was called Caféaux Indiens or Caféaux Chinois.
Cultivated varieties of wild chicory began to appear in Europe since 1850, thanks to the efforts of the botanist Bressiers, the chief gardener and vegetable grower of the botanical garden in Brussels. Once, having planted wild chicory sprouts (in order to get the best seedlings and reject them), instead common plants the gardener received plants with leaves curled at the head, like lettuce or cabbage. Later, this botanist developed chicory varieties with a fleshy root, similar to beets. Over time, the methods of breeding new varieties of chicory were declassified, and they began to be cultivated not only in France, but also in Greece and Italy. Since the 70s of the XIX century. the cultural variety of chicory "Vitluf" (its name comes from the Flemish name of chicory "witloof" - white leaf) has spread throughout Europe. In Greece, and eventually in the United States, the cultivated chicory began to be called "endevium" - from the distorted Latin name "intybus".
The first scientific work on the study chemical composition chicory date early XIX v. However, systematic studies of the plant began at the beginning of the 20th century. It was during this period that chicory gained recognition as a valuable technical sugar plant. Therefore, scientists were primarily interested in the content of polysaccharides, namely inulin, in the roots of this plant. In 1925, a chemical study of chicory roots was carried out at the Central Institute of the Sugar Industry (Moscow), which showed that the inulin content was 18–20%. In addition, the possibility of obtaining fructose (levulose) by hydrolysis of inulin with weak acids was considered. Similar work was carried out at that time in Germany, but the yield of fructose was only 50% of the theoretical, and the production was discontinued.
In Ukraine, a chemical-technological study of the roots of cultivated varieties of chicory was carried out in 1928 at the Kharkov Institute of Technology. A method was proposed for the isolation of fructose in the form of calcium fructosate, but crystalline fructose was not obtained. At the Kharkov Institute of Applied Chemistry, these studies were later continued, and as a result 18-19.5% of sugars were obtained. Since then, chicory has been returned as a valuable sugar beet, from which inulin and fructose can be obtained.
Traditional medicine considers chicory to be an effective remedy for increasing appetite, normalizing digestion, treating acute and chronic hepatitis, enterocolitis, stomatitis, conjunctivitis, and poisoning. Its roots are used as a general tonic for depletion of the body and as a means of normalizing blood composition. A decoction of chicory is also recommended for anemia, malaria, gastric ulcer, bronchial asthma, cardiac edema, scurvy, hysteria, tuberculosis, gout, skin diseases, steamed aerial part - for radiculitis, myositis, lymphadenitis.
In French and Austrian folk medicine, chicory is used to increase appetite, with hypoacid gastritis, and also as a diuretic. In Bulgaria, infusions and decoctions of chicory roots are used for diseases of the liver (cirrhosis, hepatitis) and gallbladder (cholelithiasis), stomach ulcers, kidney diseases, as an emollient for angina and inflammation of the respiratory system, externally - for skin rashes, eczema, boils, carbuncles, neglected wounds, chronic ulcers in the form of gruel. Polish folk medicine recommends chicory juice against malignant tumors. Traditional medicine European countries also uses chicory roots to treat nephritis, enuresis, spleen diseases, hemorrhoids. In Azerbaijani folk medicine, chicory roots are popular for the treatment of the initial stage of diabetes mellitus. Leishmaniasis was treated with plant ash.
It is popularly believed that eating chicory grass by cows increases milk yield.
Pharmacological properties of chicory
Biologically active substances of chicory (bitterness) reflexively increase the secretion of gastric and intestinal juice, peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract, regulate defecation, increase appetite. Extracts of the aerial part of chicory containing flavonoids, oxycoumarins and hydroxycinnamic acids have choleretic activity (S.M. Drogovoz et al., 1975). A pronounced choleretic effect is manifested at a dose of 50 mg / kg intraduodenally, with a further increase in the degree of choleretic reaction does not significantly change. When the total extract of the aerial part of chicory and its fraction containing phenolic compounds is administered to experimental rats, an increase in bile secretion is noted already at the 1st hour (by 40% and 32%, respectively) and lasts 2-3 hours. At the same time, the concentration of cholates in the bile sharply increases (mainly due to conjugates of taurocholic acid), the ratio between conjugated and free bile acids increases, and the cholesterol content decreases. The choleretic properties of chicory root extract are much weaker.
Chicory root extract shows a pronounced therapeutic effect in experimental hepatitis caused by carbon tetrachloride. Its use improves the protein-synthetic function of the liver, reduces the pathological manifestations of hepatitis (Yavorsky O. I., 1997; Gadgoli C., Mishra S. H., 1997; Zafar R. and Ali Mujahid S., 1998). The hepatoprotective activity of chicory root extract is due to phenolic compounds, in particular esculin (Gilani A. H. et al., 1998).
Inulin and less polymerized chicory fructosans, as well as the products of their partial hydrolysis, are well fermented by the intestinal microflora, in particular by bifidobacteria (Roberfroid M. B. et al., 1998).
A decoction of chicory roots has a hypoglycemic effect. According to S. Arullani (1937), after taking 200-300 g of raw materials, the blood sugar level decreases by 18-44%. These results were confirmed by H. Ploese (1940), who observed a 15–20% decrease in sugar levels after taking juice from chicory leaves. The pronounced hypoglycemic activity of dry extract from chicory roots at a dose of 50 mg / kg with intragastric administration was confirmed by Tajik scientists on a model of aloxan diabetes (Nuraliev Yu. N. et al., 1984). OI Yavorsky (1997) found that the hypoglycemic effect of the total extract from chicory roots in conditions of aloxan diabetes is associated with its polysaccharide complex. Electron microscopic examination of the ultrastructure of the pancreas of experimental animals made it possible to establish that the therapeutic effect arises due to the protective effect of chicory preparations on the membrane structures of β-cells of the islets of Langerhans. In addition, the introduction into the body of a polysaccharide complex, the structural basis of which is the non-insulin dependent sugar fructose, normalizes the body's carbohydrate metabolism. The absorption of fructose through the wall of the digestive tract is much slower than glucose and sucrose. This prevents a significant peak in blood fructose concentration. The conversion of adsorbed fructose into glycogen in the liver occurs independently of the hormone insulin. Experiences have shown that foods sweetened with fructose produce a faster and more long-lasting satiety effect than foods sweetened with other sweeteners.
The positive effect of chicory on the body is observed in diabetes mellitus. With this pathology, along with disorders of all types of metabolism, the metabolism of trace elements changes significantly. So, with the development of carbon imbalance, the processes of removing iron, copper, zinc, cobalt, chromium from the body are activated. It has been proven that chromium atoms play the role of an activator of interaction between insulin molecules and surface membranes of cells, and copper and manganese regulate glucose uptake, being direct or indirect activators of tissue respiration, therefore, a decrease in their content negatively affects the state of patients with diabetes mellitus (G. O. Babenko , I.P. Reshetkina, 1971). When studying the trace element composition of chicory roots, it was found that the underground part of the plant contains, in particular, iron, copper, zinc and chromium. Therefore, it is obvious that the consumption of chicory is very useful for the prevention and complex treatment of diabetes mellitus.
R. Benigni et al. (1962) described the thyreostatic action of chicory.
Biologically active substances of chicory also have a beneficial effect on lipid metabolism. In rabbits that were on a high-carbohydrate diet, there is an increase in total cholesterol levels up to severe hypercholesterolemia. This is prevented by the introduction of the total chicory extract. In addition, the level of atherogenic cholesterol decreased in animals. These data indicate a pronounced hypocholesterolemic and antiatherogenic effect of chicory and make it possible to recommend its preparations for clinical testing in order to prevent atherosclerosis.
On a model of stress damage to the mucous membrane of the digestive tract, simulated by intraperitoneal administration of a stress dose of adrenaline (50 μg / kg) to mice, it was experimentally established that lyophilized aqueous extracts of chicory root and herb have antioxidant properties (Yavorsky O.I., 1994). The previous intragastric administration of chicory root and herb lyophilisates at a dose of 100 mg / kg prevents an increase in the intensity of lipid peroxidation and a decrease in the activity of superoxide dismutase. The lyophilisate of chicory root has a more pronounced antioxidant activity than the preparation from the aerial part of the plant. Lyophilizates of chicory prevented the occurrence of stress hemorrhages, ulcerative erosive and inflammatory changes in the gastric mucosa. The gastroprotective activity of the aqueous extract of chicory root was 1.3–1.5 times higher than that of the same extracts of dandelion root, Potentilla herb, and wormwood introduced in similar doses. It is believed that the anti-stress effect of chicory is based on its antioxidant effect. It is important that the chicory root extract not only suppressed the manifestations of ulcerative-erosive and inflammatory processes, but also contributed to the rapid reparation of morphological changes in the gastric mucosa and the restoration of its functional state.
Further biochemical studies confirmed the antioxidant activity of chicory extract in different in vitro systems: in the linoleic acid - β-carotene system, in tests of inhibition of the formation of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (Papetti A. et al., 2002), xanthine oxidase activity (Pieroni A. et al., 2002) and the process of free radical DNA damage (Sultana S. et al., 1995). It has been demonstrated by gel electrophoresis that an aqueous chicory extract inhibits the oxidation of low density lipoproteins (Kim T. W., Yang K. S., 2001). Antioxidant action underlies the hepatoprotective properties of chicory.
It was found that chicory juice contains both antioxidant and prooxidant compounds. Heat-labile prooxidants, obviously of a protein nature (ml.m. 50 KDa), in the cold increase the peroxidation of linoleic acid, thus masking thermostable antioxidants. Antioxidants appear only after thermal inactivation of prooxidants or after their separation by dialysis (Papetti A. et al., 2002).
Interesting results were obtained by Egyptian scientists S. I. Balbaa et al. (1973) when studying the effect of alcoholic tincture of chicory roots on an isolated frog heart. The drug exhibited a pronounced quinidine-like activity, causing a clear decrease in the amplitude and slowing down of the heart rate. The greatest activity was shown by preparations from large-root varieties of chicory garden "Magdeburg" and "Ronesse". The cardiological activity of the tincture of the cultivated variety "Magdeburg" reached 75% of the action of the standard tincture of foxglove. Therefore, further study of the cardiological properties of chicory is promising in terms of the development of new effective agents for the treatment of tachycardia, arrhythmia and fibrillation.
Experimental studies indicate that a decoction of chicory inflorescences also exhibits cardiotropic properties. When it is added (at a concentration of 0.5-1%) to the perfusion solution, which flows to the isolated heart of a frog and a rabbit, in the first minutes there is an increase in the work of the heart, an improvement in diastolic relaxation, an increase in the amplitude of heart contractions with a slight decrease in their frequency (Force B . I., 1948). The stimulating effect of the drug on the adynamic and hypodynamic heart (against the background of the action of chloral hydrate) was longer than on an isolated normal heart. The cardiotonic substances of the decoction of chicory inflorescences do not have the ability to accumulate in the heart muscle - after washing, the performance indicators of the isolated heart quickly (after 1–2 minutes) are restored to their initial values. In high concentrations (3-5%) decoction of chicory inflorescences caused a slowdown in the rhythm and rapid cardiac arrest. It can be assumed that the cardiotonic properties of the decoction of chicory inflorescences are due to the content in them of anthocyanins - dolphinidin glycosides.
A decoction of chicory inflorescences in small concentrations (0.1-0.5%) dilates the vessels of the skin and kidneys, and in the higher (1-2%) - causes their narrowing. With intravenous administration of 10% infusion (5 and 10 mg / kg) to rabbits, a short-term sharp decrease in blood pressure occurs, the hypotensive effect lasts for 30–40 minutes. A weak hypotensive effect is also observed with intramuscular and intravenous administration of a decoction of chicory roots to anesthetized rats. On the isolated large intestine of a rabbit, the decoction of the roots exhibits weak antispasmodic activity.
A decoction of chicory herb has diuretic properties.
In experiments on animals, it was found that an infusion of chicory inflorescences exhibits a sedative effect on the central nervous system, reduces the motor activity of experimental animals (Sila V.I., 1948). This effect is associated with the inhibitory effect on the nerve centers of lactucopicrin.
Antimicrobial and astringent properties of aqueous chicory extract have been established. From its roots J. M. Deshusses (1961) isolated a substance with a bacteriostatic effect against Bacillus anthracis and Bacillus subtilis. Methanol and petroleum ether extracts of chicory inhibit the germination of spores of phytopathogenic fungi by more than 95% (Abou-Jawdah Y. et al., 2002).
In accordance with empirical data, juice from chicory roots exhibits antitumor activity, however, specially conducted studies have not confirmed such properties: it did not affect either the growth of Guerin's carcinoma, or its histological structure, or the general condition of animals with implanted tumors. At the same time, it was recently reported that 1β-hydroxyeudesmanolide-magnolialide contained in chicory leaves inhibits the growth of cells of some tumor lines and induces differentiation of human leukemia cells HL-60 and U-937 into monocyto-macrophage-like cells (Lee KT et al., 2000) ...
The immunomodulatory activity of the polysaccharide complex obtained from chicory roots has been established. Observations of OI Yavorskiy and VV Chopyak (1995) showed that in in vitro experiments it enhances the migration ability and stimulates the phagocytic activity of leukocytes (NBT-test) in patients with allergic dermatitis. The study of the effect of chicory on the function of the body's immune system was continued by Korean scientists. J. H. Kim et al. (2002) demonstrated that an alcoholic extract of chicory (300 mg / kg for 4 weeks) counteracts the inhibition of the immunological reactivity of the organism of ICR mice against the background of chronic alcohol intoxication. In comparison with the control group, the animals that received the extract showed an increase in the number of leukocytes, the relative weight of the thymus and spleen, the intensity of the humoral immune response to sheep erythrocytes (the number of plaque-forming spleen cells, hemagglutinin titers) and bovine serum albumin (secondary immune response - Ig titers), as well as the intensity of the development of a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction. In addition, against the background of the introduction of chicory extract, an increase in the phagocytic activity of leukocytes, the activity and proliferation of natural killer cells (NK cells), the secretion of γ-interferon, as well as an insignificant induction of interleukin-4 were found. At the same time, the proliferative response of human peripheral blood lymphocytes to the phytohemagglutinin mitogen by 70% ethanol extract of chicory was completely inhibited (Z. Amirghofran et al., 2000). In mixed culture, an increase in lymphocyte proliferation in response to allogeneic cells was observed in the presence of 10 μg / ml extract.
Biologically active substances of chicory in the experiment also exhibit antiallergic properties. Aqueous chicory extract (0.1–1000 mg / kg) dose-dependently inhibits the development of a systemic anaphylactic reaction and an increase in plasma histamine concentration in mice caused by the introduction of a mast cell destabilizer compound 48/80 (Kim H. M. et al., 1999). When applied at the maximum dose, animals showed a complete absence of anaphylactic manifestations. Chicory extract also inhibits the development of a local anaphylactic reaction caused by the administration of anti-dinitrophenyl-IgE. It has been proven that the blocking effect of chicory extract on the destabilization of mast cell membranes under the influence of Ig and compound 48/80 is based on an increase in the intracellular concentration of cAMP.
Research on the pharmacological activity of roasted chicory, which occupies a significant place in the diet of many people as a substitute or additive to coffee, is of great practical interest. In an experiment on 11 volunteers who consumed 60 g of chicory coffee for 6 months, it was found that such an additive does not cause unpleasant symptoms on the part of the digestive system, with the exception of a slight increase in intestinal motility, does not affect diuresis, neuropsychic state and circulatory system, heart rate and rhythm, ECG indicators (Leclerq E. and Netjes J. T., 1985). Research shows that heat treatment (roasting) of the roots leads to decomposition and destruction of the structure of most biologically active substances, which, on the one hand, leads to an improvement in the taste of the product, and, on the other hand, to a decrease in pharmacological activity.
Toxicology and side effects of chicory
Chicory roots do not show pronounced side effects and are not toxic. However, with prolonged use, they can significantly increase the secretion of gastric juice and bile. Therefore, patients with high acidity the gastric juice of the chicory remedy should be used with caution.Fried roots of chicory, in contrast to dried ones, exhibit a more pronounced choleretic effect and can significantly increase diuresis. Therefore, long-term consumption of chicory coffee may be undesirable for patients with liver and gallbladder diseases.
Toxicological studies indicate that the crude total herbal preparations from the aerial part and roots of chicory ordinary, as well as the purified fraction of phenolic compounds from the aerial part, is practically non-toxic: LD50 for mice after intraperitoneal injection is 5.0-7.6 g / kg (Drogovoz C . M. et al., 1975).
A 10% decoction of chicory inflorescences also does not show toxicity. At doses of 10-15 ml / kg in laboratory animals, it caused only a short-term (3-4 hours) inhibition of motor activity (Force VI, 1948).
Cases of professional allergy to chicory in vegetable sellers have been described (Friis B. et al., 1975; Krook G., 1977). With oral, cutaneous and inhalation contact, allergic reactions of immediate and delayed type developed with predominantly cutaneous manifestations(urticaria, contact dermatitis). Patients tended to cross-sensitize also to lettuce. The protein ml was identified as an allergen. m. 48 KDa from plant roots (Cadot P. et al., 1996). It is believed that the sensitizing properties of chicory may also be associated with sesquiterpene lactones.
Noteworthy are reports that an aqueous suspension of chicory roots inhibits spermatogenesis in mice (Roy-Choudhury A. and Venkatakrishna-Bhatt H., 1983). An extract of chicory seeds in an experiment on rats showed pronounced contraceptive activity (Keshri G. et al., 1998). In our opinion, this information requires detailed study in connection with the possibility of undesirable side effects of chicory preparations on the human body.
Clinical uses of chicory
In modern medicine, galenic and neogalenic preparations of chicory are used to stimulate appetite, improve the activity of the digestive system, as a choleretic and laxative. They are prescribed for hyperacid gastritis, enteritis, colitis, chronic constipation, they are recommended for cirrhosis of the liver, stagnation of the portal circulation system. Chicory is one of the main components of the well-known effective Indian Ayurvedic hepatoprotective drug Liv 52. V.D. Kazarina et al. (1981) investigated the effect of 10% decoction of chicory roots on the biochemical composition of bile and indicators of the inflammatory process in 30 patients with cholecystitis. As a result of taking it 1 tablespoon 3 times a day before meals for two weeks, the intensity of the inflammatory process in the gallbladder and biliary tract decreased (diphenylamine and ninhydrin tests normalized), and the production of bile acids increased. At the same time, no effect on other biochemical characteristics of bile (the content of bilirubin, cholesterol, calcium) was observed. In the majority of patients, the indices of nonspecific anti-infectious resistance of the organism returned to normal, which had a positive effect on the general condition of the patients. However, in about a quarter of patients with recurrent inflammatory processes in the gallbladder, immunological parameters remained unchanged after treatment.
Taking into account the non-toxicity, mild action, ease of dosing and the absence of allergic reactions, N.V. Dmitrieva et al. (1987) used chicory roots in the complex treatment of newborns with pathology of the hepatobiliary system (cholecystitis, hypotonic biliary dyskinesia).
A 10% decoction was prepared from the crushed roots and used 1/2 teaspoon (starting with 3-5 drops) 4 times a day before feeding for 15–20 days. Thanks to the bitterness, the use of the broth improved the appetite, which had a positive effect on the weight gain of infants. For 14 days of treatment, the weight gain was 2 times greater than in the control group, and amounted to 300 ± 50 g. On the 6–8th day, the size of the liver in infants decreased and the icterus of the skin decreased or disappeared altogether, and the stool returned to normal. According to the data of fractional duodenal intubation, the excretion of bile by the liver increased, and the motor-evacuation function of the biliary tract returned to normal in 60% of patients. The most characteristic change in the composition of hepatic and gallbladder bile was an increase in the content of bile acids and a decrease in the index of bilirubin concentration. The results of the studies made it possible to conclude that it is advisable to use a decoction of chicory roots in the complex treatment of infants with anorexia, malnutrition, internal and subhepatic cholestasis, cholecystitis, hepatitis.
Scientists of the Ivano-Frankivsk Medical Academy together with the joint-stock company "Galychpharm" have developed and patented a new hepatoprotective collection "Tricinol", which, in addition to chicory roots, includes a leaf of the trefoil watch (Folium Menyanthidis) and calendula inflorescences (Anthodium Calendulae).
In an experiment on animals, it was proved that this agent has pronounced hepatoprotective and choleretic properties, and even surpasses silibor in activity. This drug has passed the stage of preclinical pharmacological studies at the Pharmacological Committee of Ukraine, but has not been introduced into production.
Experimental data gave reason to consider chicory roots as a promising remedy for mild to moderate forms of diabetes mellitus. In 1993, the collection was patented in Russia medicinal herbs for the treatment of diabetes mellitus "Lydia", which includes chicory roots. Chicory roots are a component of the hypoglycemic collection patented in Croatia (Petlevski R. et al., 2001).
An important food product for diabetics is fructose, which is rich in chicory roots. results clinical research indicate that inulin preparations from chicory roots show a pronounced hypoglycemic effect in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (type II), and also reduce daily fluctuations in blood glucose levels (Pavlyuk P.M., 1999; Kosykh O. Yu., 2000). Therefore, chicory inulin is considered today as the drug of choice in the treatment of patients with type II diabetes mellitus. It is recommended as a monotherapy for newly diagnosed diabetes and mild disease, as well as for the primary prevention of diabetes mellitus in people with reduced glucose tolerance syndrome and metabolic syndrome (carbohydrate metabolism disorder, hypertension, hyperproteinemia). In moderate and severe forms of diabetes mellitus, inulin allows to reduce the dose of basic hypoglycemic drugs, is a good means of preventing complications of the disease (diabetic angiopathies, peripheral neuropathies, retinopathies, nephropathies and encephalopathies). In addition, inulin has a beneficial effect on lipid metabolism, reducing the elevated level of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood (Pavlyuk P.M., 1999). Thanks to the satiety effect, inulin reduces hunger without consuming additional calories.
Dietary supplements containing inulin and fructose are low in calories and are recommended for the nutrition of athletes. Due to the moderate metabolism of fructose, they increase the body's endurance, in addition, they contribute to the restoration of the amount of fluids and electrolytes after significant physical activity... Due to the satiety effect, eating fructose before meals reduces hunger.
Maltol may have the potential to enhance the sweet taste of sugar.
As a diuretic, chicory herb is used for diseases of the kidneys, bladder, gout. Inulin is used in clinical and laboratory practice to assess renal function, since it is filtered only in the renal glomeruli, and is not secreted or absorbed in the renal tubules.
Due to the sedative effect on the central nervous system, chicory preparations are recommended for neuroses, insomnia, hypertension.
An aqueous infusion of chicory is used externally in the form of washes and lotions for the treatment of furunculosis, eczema, purulent wounds, blepharitis.
Means from chicory roots are promising as anticoagulant agents (Chiryat'ev E.A. et al., 1989).
In Austria, preparations from chicory roots in the form of an extract, decoction and tablets are used in the absence of appetite, hypoacid gastritis and as a diuretic. Chicory is found in several homeopathic remedies.
In India, chicory is used to make toothpastes that have anti-inflammatory properties and prevent the formation of dental plaque (Patel V. K. and Venkatakrishna-Bhatt H., 1983).
Ground toasted chicory root is used as a substitute natural coffee and a valuable additive to barley coffee surrogates. The results of a study of the pharmacological activity of roasted chicory root confirm that drinking coffee from chicory, instead of natural, eliminates the negative effects of caffeine and other compounds and is useful for “coffee lovers” with disorders of the nervous system, circulatory system and intestines. Young basal chicory leaves in some foreign countries are used to make salads. The roots of the plant can be used to produce alcohol.
Chicory medicines
Gastrovitol (Gastrovitol, OZ GNTSLS, Kharkiv, Ukraine) is an oral liquid containing hydroalcoholic extracts of 13.9 g of chicory rhizome, 13.9 g of oregano herb and 2.5 g of aromatic chapolochi herb. Available in bottles of 200, 250 and 500 ml. The drug stimulates appetite, enhances the secretion of the digestive glands, intestinal peristalsis, promotes bile secretion, exhibits anti-inflammatory, astringent and sedative effects. It is used to increase appetite for gastritis with reduced secretion of gastric juice, stimulation of intestinal motility in hypotonic biliary dyskinesia, enterocolitis, accompanied by constipation and flatulence, as well as with increased nervous excitability and insomnia. Assign inside 1 teaspoon 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals. Duration of treatment is on average 3 weeks. The drug is contraindicated in hyperacid gastritis, it should be used with caution during pregnancy and lactation.LIV 52 (Liv 52, Himalaya Drug, India) is a complex preparation made from juices and decoctions of a number of medicinal plants. The tablets contain, on a dry matter basis, 16 mg of yarrow, 65 mg of chicory, 16 mg of oriental senna, 32 mg of black nightshade, 65 mg of prickly caper Capparis spinosa L., 32 mg of Terminalia arjuna, 16 mg of French tamarisk Tamarix gallica and 33 mg Mandur bhasma. Available in India in packs of 50 and 100 tablets.
It is used to improve the function of the liver and the processes of its regeneration in infectious and toxic hepatitis, chronic hepatitis. In precirotic conditions, the drug stops the development of cirrhosis and prevents further damage to the liver tissue. Prevents the development of alcoholic liver damage, protects against the effects of toxic substances and hepatotoxic drugs. The drug also increases appetite, improves bile secretion, digestion in general and the absorption of food, promotes the removal of gases from the intestines. Assign inside adults 2 tablets, children 1-2 tablets 3-4 times a day.
Urogran (Urogranum, Herbapol, Poland) - granules containing biologically active substances of scrofula herb, horsetail herb, birch leaf, chicory root, lovage root and calamus rhizomes.
Shows a diuretic saluretic, antispasmodic effect, has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. It is prescribed for acute and chronic inflammatory processes of the urinary tract, with kidney stone disease, uric acid diathesis. Drink 1 / 2–2 / 3 teaspoon of granules 3 times a day between meals with 1/2 glass of sweetened water or tea.
Side effect: occasionally allergic reactions are possible.
Choleretic collection (Species cholagogue, Herbapol, Poland) is a medicinal tea containing chicory roots, Bardanae root and Dracunculi herb. It is used for diseases of the liver and biliary tract, cholecystitis, nephrolithiasis, digestive disorders caused by insufficient secretion of bile.
Body Slim (Uncle Lee's Tea Inc., USA) is a medicinal tea containing senna leaf, blackberry leaf, orange peel, rice fiber, ginseng, chrysanthemum herb and chicory. It has a hypolipidemic and laxative effect, improves digestion processes. The application begins with small doses, gradually increasing them. We recommend 1 packet of tea for 2 cups of boiling water, used warm or chilled after a meal in the morning or evening. Can also be bred in more water. Starting from the 2nd week, 1 packet of tea can be brewed with 1 glass of boiling water. It is advisable not to consume more than 3 cups of tea a day.
Hevert-Magen-Galle-Leber-Tee (Hevert, Germany) - tea, 100 g of which contains 2 g of calendula inflorescences, 20 g of fennel fruits, 10 g of wormwood herb, 5 g of centaury herb, 2 g of celandine herb, 38 g of chicory herb , 10 g of yarrow herb, 5 g of thyme herb and 8 g of calamus rhizomes. Drink 1 cup (2 teaspoons per cup) of tea 3 times a day before meals for gastritis, cholecystitis, for the auxiliary treatment of gastric ulcer.
St. Radegunder Abfürtee mild (Synpharma, Austria) is a laxative tea, 100 g of which contains 60 g, 25 g of chicory root, 10 g of fennel and 5 g of mallow flowers. It is used for constipation and intestinal atony. Drink several times a day for 1 cup of fresh tea (2 teaspoons per cup). Contraindicated in case of allergy to components.
Despite the fact that chicory has been known since ancient times, in our time there is a twofold attitude towards it. Some see it as only a weed, albeit gently blooming, others regard it as a coffee surrogate. And people who are well versed in medicinal plants "take off their hats".
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.
- Also in chicory there is the glycoside intibin, choline, gum, resin, tannins, chicorine, essential oil, lactucin and lactucopyrin.
- Chicory roots are used to improve digestion, increase appetite, and dyspepsia.
- The roots have a choleretic effect, they are tried on for diseases of the liver and gallbladder, for cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, inflammation of the pancreas. No wonder chicory is popularly called "hepatic herb".
- Chicory is used for gout, joint diseases, osteochondrosis, atherosclerosis, obesity, metabolic disorders.
- Chicory has a positive effect on neuroses, asthenia and hysteria.
- Outwardly, 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 carrot, parsley and celery juice 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 meadows, wastelands, hills, along roads and fields, in vegetable gardens.
There are wild varieties of chicory and those that have been cultivated.
The flowering parts of the plant and the roots have healing properties.
The peculiarity of chicory is such that it begins to bloom after a few years, and at first - in the first year - only a root rosette of leaves develops in it. Over time, the root becomes so long that sometimes it goes deep into the soil by one and a half meters.
How and when to harvest flowers
- Chicory flowers are harvested at a time of mass flowering from June to September.
- The chicory herb is harvested away from roadways, factories, garbage dumps.
- For collection, choose dry, settled weather.
- The harvesting of flowers is carried out when the dew dries up on the plants.
- For drying, cut off only the top flowering parts of the plant without coarse stems.
How to dry chicory herb
The cut stems are dried in the shade, under a canopy or in attics under an iron roof, laid out in a thin layer on a cloth.
The raw materials are periodically mixed so that it dries 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. The shelf life is one year.
How and when to harvest chicory roots
Chicory roots are harvested or in early spring, or late autumn when the aerial part of the plant begins to die off. It is at this time that the maximum amount of nutrients accumulates in the roots, because the plant is preparing for wintering.
Since the roots of chicory are long, they are not pulled out, but dig up... Then the roots are cleaned 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 across into small pieces, and the thick roots are also cut lengthwise before that.
The roots are laid out on a cloth and dried in a ventilated room or under a canopy.
But it is still better to dry the roots in a dryer or oven at a temperature not higher than 60 °. The oven door must be kept half open so that the raw material does not get steamy. When the roots break with a bang, the drying is stopped.
Keep the roots in cardboard boxes, crates 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 because of the presence of caffeine in it. And there is no caffeine in a cyclic drink, but there are a lot of other useful substances, the properties of which were mentioned above. In addition, the cyclic drink does not irritate the stomach, does not stimulate the heart and nervous system, but stimulates the appetite.
To obtain a cykoric drink, prepared fresh chicory roots are cut into 1 cm thick pieces and dried at a temperature of 100 ° for about 12 hours.
Then the dried roots are fried in a dry frying pan until a coffee color is obtained. When chicory roots are roasted, chicoreol essential oil is formed, which gives a peculiar aroma to the drink.
After cooling, the roots are ground in a coffee grinder, in a blender or grind in a mortar.
Chicory coffee can be prepared both without additives and with grain components, adding barley, soybeans, rowan berries, oats, rye, dried carrots, fried almond kernels, fried acorn kernels to chicory. The percentage of additives and their amount may vary.
How to make cyclic coffee
Ground chicory or the prepared mixture is poured into hot water, 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.
Chicory is a perennial or biennial plant, a representative of the Astrov family. Herbs belonging to this genus have a strong, elongated taproot and a rigid, upright stem, leafy with oblong, jagged leaves along the edge. Blue (less often - white or light pink) flowers of the plant are located on short individual stems. Fruits are multifaceted oblong achenes of light brown color, topped with small scaly crests.
How to collect chicory
For medicinal purposes, both the roots of the plant and its aerial part are used. Harvesting of vegetable raw materials is carried out in ecologically clean places located at a distance from roads and railways, landfills, pastures, livestock farms, industrial enterprises, chemical storage facilities, cemeteries and cattle burial grounds.
Chicory herb harvesting rules
The aerial part of chicory is harvested during the period of mass flowering: from July to September. For collection, choose only healthy, green, juicy shoots with fully blossoming buds. The stems are cut at a distance of 30 cm from the top and placed in a container that protects the flowers and leaves of the plant from crushing. At the same time, the procurers carefully ensure that insects, yellowed or brownish, coated leaf blades and hard stems do not fall into the collection.
For harvesting chicory, only dry, warm, fine days are chosen: raw materials collected in rainy weather do not dry well and rapidly lose their healing properties... The apical flowering parts of the shoots are cut off only after the morning dew has dried on them.
Collecting chicory roots
Chicory roots are harvested at the very beginning of spring or at the end of autumn, after the aerial part of the shoot dies off. At this time, the maximum amount of medicinal substances accumulates in the root system of the plant.
Harvesting is carried out on rainy days, after waiting for the soil to soak and soften. The roots are carefully dug in from all sides and slowly, without making too sudden movements, they are pulled out of the ground. The aerial part of the shoot is cut off, and root system cleaned of adhering soil, washed in a cool running water and dried a little in the sun.
How to dry chicory?
The chicory herb is dried under awnings in the fresh air or on verandas, balconies or attics with good ventilation, being careful not to get sunlight on the raw materials. Before drying, the stems are cut into pieces and laid out on canvas or thick paper. During the drying process, the plant material is periodically agitated, thereby preventing its caking. If necessary, the grass can also be dried in a dryer at temperatures up to 45 ° C. Well-dried stems break with a crack when deformed, and leaves and flowers crumble into powder when rubbed in the fingers.
Chicory roots can be dried naturally by spreading them in a thin layer on a cloth or paper bed in the shade in the fresh air, or in dryers or ovens at temperatures no higher than 40 ° C. Before drying, the collected raw materials are cleaned of small and rotten roots and cut across into small pieces (thick roots are sometimes cut lengthwise). Well-dried roots break with a crack when deformed, have a light brown color on the outside and pale yellow at the break.
Making cyclic coffee
Dried chicory roots are an excellent substitute for coffee beans. Healthy drink, prepared on their basis, does not contain caffeine, does not have a negative effect on the heart, blood vessels and nervous system, but has a rich, deep taste and pleasant aroma.
To prepare cyclic coffee, fresh roots are cleaned of adhering soil, rinsed thoroughly, cut into 10 mm pieces and dried for about 12 hours in an oven at a temperature of about 100 ° C. After that, the vegetable raw materials are fried in a clean frying pan without oil until they change color to a darker one, begin to crumble easily and acquire a pleasant aroma of a special essential oil produced during its heat treatment. The roasted chicory roots are cooled and ground into a powder using a blender or coffee grinder.
Common chicory- Cichorium intybus L. is a perennial green or slightly bluish herb from the Asteraceae or Compositae family, with a well-developed taproot, containing milky juice in all vegetative organs. Basal leaves are large, obovate in outline, ply-pinnate, less often whole, but with a serrated edge, dark green, gradually narrowed at the base into a petiole. The stem is erect, 20 - 1 20 cm high, branched in the middle and upper part. The branches are strongly deviated to the side, often almost horizontal. Stem leaves are lanceolate or ovate-lanceolate, sessile, stalk-enveloping, with sagittal ears.
Chicory inflorescences are sessile baskets with a diameter of 2.5 - 4.5 cm, located singly at the tops of stems and branches. All flowers in the basket are ligulate (i.e., their petals have grown together into a plate with 5 teeth), bisexual, blue in color, less often white, with a short tube and a long five-toothed limb. Fruits are oblong ribbed brown achenes 2-3 mm long, with a small tuft. Blooms and bears fruit from June to October.
Common chicory- Eurasian species, introduced to other continents. In Russia, this is a fairly common plant in almost the entire European part and in the south. Western Siberia... It grows on wastelands, roadsides and fields, in ditches, in weedy places in settlements, in meadows, along the slopes of river valleys.
Introduced into culture. We have the predominant distribution of root chicory, and the main area of its cultivation to this day remains the Yaroslavl region. In the same place, in Rostov the Great, the production of "coffee" drinks was established, the main component of which is powder from chicory roots. In Western Europe, especially in Belgium and Holland, chicory salad is widely cultivated. Basal leaves of plants of the first year of life are eaten. In Russia, lettuce varieties are grown on a limited scale, although they deserve wider distribution, since they allow you to get fresh greens in greenhouses in winter, when there is a particularly shortage of vegetables.
Economic use of chicory
Common chicory is a food, medicinal, ornamental and melliferous plant. Its roots contain up to 15% sugars, including up to 11% inulin. Roasted and ground chicory roots - one of the best substitutes for coffee, has long been used in our country for the production of various "coffee" drinks. Until recently, chicory was even added to natural coffee powder.
To obtain chicory "coffee", the roots are cut into pieces, fried and ground into powder. When roasting, inulin and other sugars are partially caramelized, due to which the powder brewed with boiling water gives a thick coffee color and a peculiar smell. At one time, in our country, the production of thick chicory syrup, convenient for use, was established, since it was required to pour boiling water over a spoonful of this syrup.
"Coffee" from the roots of chicory is recommended to drink instead of natural coffee for some heart diseases, in particular, with tachycardia and arrhythmias.
Medicinal value of chicory and methods of medicinal use of chicory
In folk medicine, both aerial parts and roots of chicory have been used.
The roots are harvested in the fall, and the aerial part of the plant in the summer, during flowering. Chicory root contains a bitter substance, inulin, sugars, proteins, mineral salts, vitamins and other substances. When taken orally, it increases appetite, improves metabolism, digestion, has a sedative, anti-inflammatory and diuretic effect, tones up the heart, and inhibits the growth of malignant tumors. Inside, chicory is taken to improve metabolism, functional activity of the stomach, with gastritis, liver diseases, stones in the gallbladder, enlargement of the spleen and its tumors, kidney diseases, diabetes mellitus, anemia, bronchial asthma, dropsy, general loss of strength, hysteria, externally it used in the treatment of eczema, boils, skin rashes, chronic ulcers and wounds.
Infusion and decoction from the roots are widely used as bitterness to stimulate appetite and improve the activity of the gastrointestinal tract for gastritis, enteritis, colitis, accompanied by constipation.
To prepare an infusion of chicory, take 1 - 2 teaspoons of chopped roots, pour 1 glass of boiling water and insist for several hours. The cooled infusion is filtered off.
The broth is prepared in the proportion of 1 teaspoon of raw materials to 1 glass of boiling water, boil ZOmin., Cool and filter. Both the infusion and the broth are drunk 1/3 - 1/2 cup before meals.
It is pertinent to note that in case of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, the consumption of drugs from chicory is contraindicated.
For toothache, 1 tablespoon of crushed dry root per 200 ml of acidified boiling water, leave for 10 minutes. Use this strong infusion warm to rinse a sore tooth with severe pain.
You can also chew freshly dug chicory root after peeling and washing it.
For hemorrhoids, infuse 1 teaspoon of chicory in 200 ml of boiling water, sweeten. Take 100ml 2-3 times a day before meals.
For hepatitis 2 tablespoons of chicory, brew 500 ml of boiling water, put 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of fruit vinegar or lemon juice in the broth. Take the broth hot instead of coffee without restrictions.
With seborrheic dermatitis, 1 teaspoon of chopped root, pour 200 ml of boiling water, boil for 10 minutes. Use for dressings, baths, lotions.
In case of pulmonary bleeding, 1 teaspoon of chicory herb pour 200 ml of boiling water, let it brew. Add sugar to taste and drink in 2 doses before meals.
With nervous excitement, with mental illness, prepare an infusion of 1 - 2 teaspoons of chopped chicory roots in 200 ml of boiling water. Strain the infusion and drink 70-100 ml cooled before meals.
For abdominal pain associated with intestinal diseases, apply a compress to the sore spot from fresh leaves or a decoction of chicory. To prepare the broth, take 20 g of crushed dry root per 0.5 liter of boiling water, boil for 15 - 20 minutes, insist, filter.
Furunculosis, eczema, allergic dermatitis are treated with chicory juice.
With anemia, take fresh chicory juice, 1 teaspoon per 1/2 glass of milk 3 times a day. To obtain juice, young shoots are cut off during flowering or budding (tops 15-25 cm long), washed well, scalded with boiling water, passed through a meat grinder, squeezed and boiled for 1 - 2 minutes. over low heat. The course of treatment is 1 - 1.5 months.
Chicory juice is drunk with milk (20 drops per 1/2 cup) 3 times a day for edema and dropsy.
A gruel of fresh chicory leaves is applied to the panaritium 2 times a day, bandaging tightly.
In Bulgarian folk medicine, chicory roots are used in the form of a decoction, as a means to stimulate the function of the digestive system, against malaria, stomach ulcers, as an emollient for angina, inflammation of the respiratory organs, difficulty urinating.
The broth is prepared from 1 teaspoon of roots per 1 glass of boiling water, boiled ZOmin., Filtered. Take 1 tablespoon 4-5 times a day.
A good therapeutic effect is observed when treating with a strong decoction of roots or herbs with roots in patients with edema of cardiac origin.
In these cases, the broth is prepared from 1 tablespoon of crushed raw materials in 1 glass of water and taken 3 times a day for 1/3 cup.
With a tumor of the spleen, take an infusion of wild chicory roots: 1 - 2 teaspoons of crushed roots per 200 ml of boiling water. Strain, drink 70-100 ml cooled before meals.
The broth is prepared from 1 teaspoon of roots per 200 ml of water, boil ZOmin., Filter, bring the volume to the original, take it as an infusion.
In case of baldness, drink an infusion of 200 ml 2-dose per day. You can take a ready-made extract of chicory 1/4 - 1/3 teaspoon for 1 cup of boiling water. Stir and drink like tea, with honey or sugar.
Chicory leaves, brewed with boiling water, are applied externally as a poultice on swollen areas.
For cholera, wild-growing chicory is used. In midsummer, when the chicory is in bloom, cut it to the very root together
with flowers, dry in the shade and store in a dry place. It should be brewed and drunk like tea.
For 200 ml of boiling water, take 1 teaspoon of chopped dry chicory herb. In case of cholera, immediately drink at least 600 ml of hot broth, after which the patient falls asleep. Waking up, he feels better.
For cirrhosis of the liver with neurasthenia, take an infusion: 1 - 2 teaspoons of crushed roots per 1 glass of boiling water. Strain, drink cooled 70-100 ml before meals. You can take a decoction. It is prepared from 1 teaspoon of roots per 200 ml of boiling water, boiled ZOmin., Filtered, taken as an infusion.
In case of acute enteritis, 1 - 2 teaspoons of the crushed root pour 200 ml of boiling water, after insisting strain and drink 70 - 100 ml cooled down before meals.
In the Caucasus, a resinous mass obtained by heating the stems is used as a wound-healing agent.
V Central Asia for a long time, pustular skin diseases, chronic ulcers are treated with chicory ash.
Fresh chicory herb compresses resolve bleeding in the eye area and under the skin.
Chicory juice is used as an external agent for malignant tumors.
With hypertension, mental fatigue, with chronic hepatitis, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, chronic pancreatitis, with inflammation of the kidneys, nephritis, bedwetting, take a decoction of chicory herb: 2 teaspoons of dry crushed raw materials for 2 cups hot water, boil for 10 minutes, drain. Take 1/2 cup of Zraza a day. Roasted and ground roots are used as a substitute for coffee.
Infusion of herbs: 20 g of dry chopped chicory per 1 glass of boiling water, insist ZOMIN., Strain. Take 2 tablespoons 3 times a day to stimulate cardiac activity, with cardiac edema and arrhythmias.
Decoction of chicory roots: 20 g of dry crushed raw materials per 1 glass of hot water, boil for 30 minutes, strain, bring the volume to the original. Take 1/2 cup before meals as a tonic.
Decoction of roots: 20 g of dry chopped chicory in 1 glass of hot water, boil for 15 minutes, strain, bring the volume to the original. Use as a bandage on sore joints.
Apply the steamed grass to sore joints in the form of a compress.
Decoction of roots and chicory herbs: 4 tablespoons of chopped raw materials in 1 glass of hot water, boil ZOmin., Strain. Use to treat purulent wounds, skin rashes, acne, boils, eczema, pustular skin diseases.
Ash from plants helps in the form of a powder and ointment for chronic ulcers, leishmaniasis.
Features of harvesting chicory
The whole plant is a medicinal raw material. Chicory roots are dug up in September - October after rain, when the soil is soft, washed, cut, dried in a dryer or oven at 60 - 70 ° C. The roots can be fried. Chicory gives off a lot of gases when roasted; does not harden immediately, but only after it is removed from the oven and cooled. Correctly roasted roots crumble easily, have a well-dried core. Dark color infusion is added with sugars, which, when the root is roasted, turn into caramel.
The aerial part of chicory is harvested during flowering. The stems are cut into several pieces and dried in the sun. Store in a closed wooden container for up to 2 years.
In the Botanical Dictionary of P. Sedir we read: “The root (chicory) can serve as a powerful remedy for corruption, but it must be collected with appropriate ceremonies: on the birthday of John the Baptist, before sunrise, kneeling, touch the root with gold and silver, and then with the sword of Judas Maccabeus, vows and other ceremonies. Being collected with Jupiter in Sagittarius or the Sun in Leo and, moreover, in the hour of Venus, it receives the properties of healing ulcers and wounds and promotes the formation of scars. "
Contains the powers of Jupiter and Mercury.
The scientific name of chicory was first mentioned in the writings of Theophrastus and Dioscorides, the Greek philosophers who named this plant Kichorion.
Latin name intybus with Greek translates as "incised" (because of and from Latin - as "tube" (due to the hollow stem). The name wegewarte (German) - "plantain", "road watchdog" - emphasizes that this plant can be found near roads, along At the same time, the Ukrainians call it for its woody strength “petriv batig.” In this article we will learn what kind of plant it is, as well as how to use chicory flowers.
Description
This is a herbaceous perennial plant of the Asteraceae family of gray-green color with a multi-headed thickened fusiform root, reaching a length of 1.5 m. Moreover, all parts of this plant contain milky sap.
Stem erect, single, up to 150 cm high, covered with sparse hairs, branched.
Leaves are alternate, collected in a rosette, basal, pinnately cut, pubescent on the underside, narrowed to the base into a petiole, while stem leaves are sharp-toothed, alternate, sessile; the upper ones are solid, lanceolate.
The chicory flowers are blue, sometimes white or pink, ligulate, collected in a variety of single and several baskets sitting on small peduncles.
The fruit is an irregularly wedge-shaped achene, prismatic, with a small tuft of films. One plant can give about 25,000 seeds that remain viable for no more than 7 years. Chicory blooms all summer, the fruits ripen in early autumn.
Reproduction
Propagated vegetatively from the root and seeds. Distributed almost throughout the territory of Russia, excluding the northern regions.
Growing zones
Chicory grows on loamy and sandy loamy fresh and dry soils along steep river banks, as well as along roadsides and ravine slopes. Transfers a temporary lack of moisture and significant soil compaction.
Chicory flowers have been considered medicinal for a long time. Avicenna, a well-known doctor of the Middle Ages, widely used herbal preparations in the treatment of a number of diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, and eye inflammation. He recommended applying chicory externally as a bandage for gout on sore joints. The plant was familiar to the ancient Romans and Greeks.
The first chicory plantations in Russia were established in 1880 in the vicinity of Yaroslavl.
Chemical composition
The roots of the plant contain lactucin, choline, pectin, lactucopicrin, intibin, which gives the leaves and roots a bitter taste, glycosides, cichorin, inulin, tannins, taraxosterol, sugars, ascorbic acid, thiamine.
Chicory flowers contain crystalline glycoside, young leaves - carotene, seeds - fatty oil. Inulin, ascorbic acid, potassium salts are also found in the plant.
Cultivation and cultivation
Chicory is propagated by seeds and from the root. After harvesting the plants that were on the selected area earlier, they carry out the main plowing and stubble cultivation to a depth of about 30 centimeters. The soil is harrowed in the spring and buried in before sowing. In the spring they sow, seedlings appear after ten days. Caring for them consists in weeding and cultivating row spacings.
Collection, drying and preparation
As mentioned above, chicory is actively used for medicinal purposes. The flowers and leaves of the plant are harvested in the fall, after the rosette of the root leaves begins to fade. The roots are dug up, gently shaken off of the adhering earth, the above-ground parts are cut off with knives, they are washed very quickly in running cool water, the decayed damaged parts are removed and laid out for drying in the shade. Thick roots should be cut lengthwise, while long ones should be cut across several pieces. Several developed specimens are left on the thickets to renew the reserves of this raw material. Dried in dryers or ovens at temperatures up to 60 ° C. The raw material has no smell, the taste is bitter.
Medicinal properties
So, what are chicory flowers good for? They have astringent, sedative, diuretic, choleretic, antihelminthic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory properties, improve digestion, regulate metabolism, improve cardiac activity, and reduce blood sugar levels.
Medical use
The benefits of chicory flowers have long been known to healers. The broth is used orally for diseases of the liver, gallbladder, kidneys, to increase appetite, improve digestion, with dyspepsia, gastritis, enlarged spleen, constipation, diabetes, helminthic invasion, anemia, asthenia, itchy dermatoses (neurodermatitis, eczema, pruritus, pruritus, seboroid dermatitis, urticaria), hysteria, vitiligo, psoriasis, furunculosis, baldness, acne vulgaris, as well as a diuretic, sedative, choleretic agent and for the regulation of all metabolic disorders.
In folk medicine, chicory flowers are used in the form of a decoction, used externally in the form of lotions, baths, dressings, used for gout, In Bulgarian medicine, in the form of gruel for the treatment of furunculosis.
Also, the infusion is used as an improvement in digestion, stimulating appetite, choleretic, diuretic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and astringent, for gastroenteritis, gastritis, hepatitis, nephritis, diabetes mellitus, hysteria, neurasthenia. In the form of washing for ulcers, wounds - decoction, infusion; with eczema, boils - in the form of lotions; with inflammation of the glands, pain in the abdomen - in the form of compresses.
With anemia - juice as a tonic for the heart and a calming agent for the nervous system; for the treatment of skin rashes, boils, acne, eczema and pustular skin diseases, purulent wounds, as well as for diathesis, it is used externally.
Chicory flowers in the form of a decoction and infusion can also be used for hysteria, neurasthenia. How topical is the sap of the plant.
Medicines
Chicory is not used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals. A drink from this plant is popular - it is sold along with ordinary food products.
Herb decoction
To do this, you need to brew one spoonful of chopped fresh or dry herbs with a glass of boiling water, heat over low heat for 10 minutes, 15 minutes. insist, then strain. The broth is used externally for washing, lotions, baths for the treatment of acne, to eliminate skin rashes, purulent wounds, boils, eczema, pustular diseases, diathesis.
Tincture
In order to get the tincture, you need to brew 40 grams of the plant with 1 liter of boiling water, insist in a warm place for three hours, strain. Drink half a glass three times a day to remove bile with cirrhosis of the liver, jaundice, to cleanse the spleen and liver, with a clogged stomach, spleen tumors, pain in the gastrointestinal tract. So, how many drops of chicory flower tincture to drink? Every day for several days in the evening and before breakfast, one glass.
Root decoction
Brew a spoonful of the root with a glass of boiling water, heat over low heat for 20 minutes, then strain. Drink a tablespoon several times a day or as a tea without dosage.
Poultices
For severe inflammation or pain in the stomach, poultices are made from chicory leaves. First, they are poured with hot water, then wrapped in a clean cloth and applied to sore spots twice every day.
The use of the plant in other areas
The roasted roots of the plant are a substitute for coffee. So, in Latvia they are added to our usual coffee, they also prepare a drink from it with apple juice, honey and lemon.
Chicory flower tea is also very popular. They are often flavored with fruit and berry drinks. The roots can serve as a source of fructose, inulin, used for the manufacture of alcohol (the yield of alcohol from chicory is greater than from potatoes, while its quality is better).
The plant is especially appreciated in dietary nutrition. It is actively used in the production of cakes and sweets in the food industry. Fresh leaves can be eaten, developed salad varieties contain a large amount ascorbic acid... At the same time, salads are prepared from young stems, leaves and shoots. Young shoots are fried, boiled, baked. In Belgium, the plant is baked in wine with apples and cheese.
Vitloof (leafy chicory) is grown in Europe. It is added to side dishes for steamed, fried, baked and stewed fish, in salads, and raw in soup.
During rains and in humid weather, the flowers emit a huge amount of blue nectar. From 1 hectare plants receive up to 100 kilograms of honey.
Chicory side effects and toxicology
Chicory roots are non-toxic and show no obvious side effects. But with prolonged use, they can increase the secretion of bile and gastric juice. Therefore, individuals with high acidity of gastric juice should use chicory-based products as carefully as possible.
Roasted roots of the plant have a pronounced choleretic effect. They can significantly increase urine output. Therefore, long-term use of chicory coffee is undesirable for people with diseases of the gallbladder and liver.