Chicory Root

Chicory root has a lot of amazing health benefits. Because of its fiber content, it's a prebiotic, which means it feeds the good bacteria in our gut. It is antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal. It regulates appetite (increasing or decreasing according to need), sugar cravings, blood sugar, supports the liver, relieves constipation, eases osteoarthritis, and prevents colon cancer. It also stimulates bile production, improving digestion.

Because of its many health benefits, its dark color, and rich, bold flavor, chicory root is a great alternative to coffee. It's less expensive than most quality, organic coffees, too!

Caution

Cholagogues and choleretics should not be used by people with acute liver failure, obstructive jaundice, painful gallstones or cholecystitis. Not considered safe in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Herbal Energetics

Parts Used

Root, leaves and seeds can also be used

Temperature

Cooling

Moisture

Dry

Tone

Toning

Taste

Astringent, Bitter

Common Preparations

Capsules, Decoction, Tincture

Medicinal Properties

Analgesic (relieves pain)
Anticancer (inhibits growth of cancer)
Antidiabetic (regulates blood sugar)
Antifungal (combats fungal infections)
Anti-Inflammatory (controls inflammation)
Antimicrobial (kills microbes)
Antioxidant (protects against oxidation)
Antipyretic (prevents or reduces fever)
Antirheumatic (prevents and reduces joint pain, swelling, and limited mobility)
Astringent (dries, draws, and shrinks tissue to create a barrier, reducing secretions or discharges)
Bitter (stimulates the digestive system)
Cholagogue (promotes production of bile)
Choleretic (promotes the release of bile from the gallbladder)
Depurative (improves detoxification and elimination)
Diuretic (stimulates urine to remove fluids from the body)
Galactagogue (improves flow of breast milk)
Hepatic (decongests the liver and bile flow)
Hepatoprotective (supports and protects the liver)
Laxative (stimulates bowel movement)
Stomachic (balances appetite, increases or decreases based on need)

Benefits

Prebiotic (feeds the colony of good gut bacteria)
Regulates appetite
Regulates sugar cravings
Reduces inflammation
Eases osteoarthritis
Relieves constipation
Fights fungal infections
Regulates blood sugar
Helps with digestion
Protects the liver
Protects against colon cancer
Supports the gall bladder

Recipes and How-To

Glossary

Not sure what it means?

Click on the glossary.

Resources

1) Chicory | Herbs | Herbal Reality. (n.d.). Herbal Reality. https://www.herbalreality.com/herb/chicory/
2) Chicory root health benefits, nutrition Facts and uses - Dr. Axe. (2024b, January 16). Dr. Axe. https://draxe.com/nutrition/chicory-root/
3) Anthis, C. (2018, January 11). A homemade dandelion and chicory root coffee. Herbal Academy. https://theherbalacademy.com/blog/a-homemade-dandelion-and-chicory-root-coffee/
4) Pouille, C. L., Ouaza, S., Roels, E., Behra, J., Tourret, M., Molinié, R., Fontaine, J., Mathiron, D., Gagneul, D., Taminiau, B., Daube, G., Ravallec, R., Rambaud, C., Hilbert, J., Cudennec, B., & Lucau-Danila, A. (2022). Chicory: Understanding the effects and effectors of this functional food. Nutrients, 14(5), 957. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14050957
5) Puhlmann, M., & De Vos, W. M. (2020). Back to the Roots: Revisiting the Use of the Fiber-Rich Cichorium intybus L. Taproots. Advances in Nutrition, 11(4), 878–890. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmaa025
6) Info. (2024, October 1). Medicinal garden: Chicory – The Painkilling Plant. Inspirational Pathway. https://inspirationalpathway.com/medicinal-garden-chicory-the-painkilling-plant/