Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is an abundant plant, formerly used as an alternative to coffee. Due to its digestive, hepatoprotective and diuretic properties, among others, it provides benefits for liver and kidney healthbut also to control blood pressure, to improve digestion and to relieve urinary disorders.

The use of the chicory root as an alternative to coffee and tea, because compared to these drinks it has the advantage that It does not create addiction and has little exciting power. It is also called chicory or wild endiveand also with the eloquent name of bitterdue to its very bitter taste, or starch in old Spanish.

The chicory plant is very common in Europe. It is a ruderal plant, very branched, with basal leaves in a rosette and highly segmented upper leaves, and with light blue flowers that appear in summer or late spring and last until almost autumn.

Properties and benefits of chicory

Medicinal purposes of chicory the root is harvested in autumn, and the youngest leavesin spring.

They are attributed appetizer and digestive propertiesmoderately laxatives, vitamins, remineralizing, hepatoprotectivecholeretic, anti-inflammatory, diureticsbacteriostatic, antiseptic, antioxidant and moderately hypotensive.

For all these reasons, it is considered a plant suitable for liver carefor improve digestion and treat digestive infections, to stimulate urine production and as support in the treatment of hypertension.

It is, in general, a safe plant. In any case, it is always recommended consult with the doctor before starting treatment with it, as with any medicinal plant, and especially, in the case of chicory, if you suffer from any heart disease, liver or kidney dysfunction or high blood pressure.