What is Chicory Root?
Common Names: Juju Gen, Blue Daisy/Dandelion, Cornflower, Coffee Weed
Body System Affinity
Digestive System, Liver, Gallbladder, Cholesterol/Heart Health, Microbiome, Blood Sugar
Herbal Actions
Prebiotic, Liver Tonic, Bitter Tonic, Gentle Laxative, Diuretic, Anti-inflammatory, Nutritive, Astringent/Drains Dampness, Cools Liver Heat, Mild Antiparasitic, Cholagogue, Cholesterol Modulating, Blood Sugar Modulating, Digestive, Alterative
Energetics
Cooling, Drying
Tastes: Bitter, Slightly Sweet
Indicated in conditions of excess dampness and heat
Chicory is native to Europe, Northern Africa, and Western/Central Asia. They like wastelands, roadsides, pastures, and generally disturbed environments. For centuries the leaves have been worked with as food and the roots used as a medicine and coffee substitute. They have also been utilized by land stewards as “forage” to feed domesticated animals and wild game. Chicory is one of the oldest known domesticated vegetables, and is one of the richest sources of inulin! Inulin is a prebiotic fiber meaning it feeds good bacteria in the gut--supporting a damaged biome. Inulin also helps improve blood sugar levels and reduces insulin resistance. This high fiber content can help ease constipation without inducing a stimulant laxative effect. Stimulant laxatives can create dependency if used over time rather than encouraging bodies to strengthen their own intestinal motility, making fiber rich herbs and foods a good place to start before trying herbs like Senna or Cascara Sagrada. Chicory may help lower LDL cholesterol levels due to the inulin content, as well. In 1763, the Dutch applied roasting to the root, which improves the taste of the infusion since the roots are generally very bitter. As a bitter astringent medicine, Chicory offers a cooling and cleansing action upon the body systems. Herbs that have a bitter taste will generally support the functions of the liver and gallbladder, while also stimulating other digestive supporting secretions such as enzymes.
Chicory, like all plants, has energetic medicine properties and indications. Chicory is one of the original Bach Flower Essences, which is a specific tradition of energetic medicine with similarities to homeopathy. According to Bach and the stewards of this tradition, here are some psycho-spiritual properties of the Chicory Flower:
Positive qualities that Chicory can support: Selfless love given freely, respecting the freedom and individuality of others; healthy emotional containment
Patterns of imbalance where Chicory is indicated: Possessive or manipulative behaviors disguised as love, demanding and excessively emotionally needy; getting attention through overbearing behavior; self-centeredness
In my practice I have found this energetic medicine to be especially balming to those with an emphasis on the water element energy in their astrological birth charts. The archetypes of Cancer and Scorpio, when in an imbalanced state, especially benefit from this remedy!
