Common chicory is a herbaceous plant that blooms with pale blue flowers. It is quite common and grows throughout almost the entire middle zone of Eurasia. Chicory grows along roads, in fields and meadows, in forest glades and near water bodies. The popular name of this plant is “Petrov’s batogi” or “Petrov’s whip”. There is also a cultural variety of chicory ordinary - chicory salad. This plant is traditionally grown in the Mediterranean countries, but with us it only gains popularity. Its leaves are a real storehouse of vitamins A and K.
The roots and leaves of the plant contain inulin - a polysaccharide that has a sweet taste. Thanks to this, syrup is obtained from them - it is used in the manufacture of confectionery. The flowers, leaves and stems of the plant contain vitamins, tannins and glycosides.
The question of how chicory is useful can be answered as follows: it has long been used in folk medicine. Infusion and decoction of its stems treat skin diseases, they are used for lotions for chickenpox, and in the form of alcohol tincture for poorly healing, chronic wounds. The steamed grass of the plant effectively cures eczema and dermatitis: chicory stems need to be boiled for an hour, then the grass is squeezed and applied to the skin. On top of the lotion can be wrapped in parchment paper and wrapped in a towel. They make such poultices for the night. After five sessions, usually there is a significant improvement in skin condition. The same method of treatment can be used for pain in the joints.
A strong broth of chicory (at least three tablespoons of grass per 200 ml of boiling water) is rubbed into the scalp: this procedure returns the hair shine, eliminates their dryness and brittleness, and is able to slow down premature graying. You can simply use this broth for rinsing.
The following answer to the question of how chicory is useful: this plant helps increase appetite and has a noticeable choleretic effect. To improve the functioning of the diuretic and digestive systems, increase the outflow of bile and expel small calculi from the gallbladder, the following recipe is recommended: take a teaspoon of the crushed root of the plant, pour a liter of boiling water. Boil the roots for about five minutes, filter the broth and drink four times a day for 1/4 cup. Speaking about how chicory is useful, one should also mention its therapeutic effect in inflammatory bowel diseases. With them, it is good to drink a decoction of chicory, brewing a teaspoon of its leaves with a glass of boiling water. The daily norm is 2-3 cups of such a drink. A decoction of a mixture of chicory, St. John's wort and yarrow taken in equal parts is effective for intestinal colic.
The healing properties of chicory are also manifested in its analgesic effect. So, with toothache, a teaspoon of the plant’s roots should be poured with a glass of boiling water, let it brew for about an hour, add a couple of drops of fresh lemon juice and rinse your mouth every two hours. Lotions from a decoction of leaves are applied to the forehead and temples for headaches.
The infusion of flowers normalizes the functioning of the heart, has a tonic effect - this is another answer to the question of how chicory is useful. Many people like cyclic tea, which can be brewed instead of the usual one. However, the most famous drink from such a plant, for the preparation of which dried and roasted roots are used. Pre-grinded, they can be mixed with natural ground coffee in various proportions, or you can simply brew it with boiling water - it turns out a pleasant broth that tastes good. It resembles natural coffee and is considered the best substitute for this product.
Surrogate coffee drink from chicory is allowed to be consumed by almost everyone. To improve taste, sugar, milk or cream, cocoa are added to it. It does not raise blood pressure and does not excite the nervous system. That is why such coffee, unlike natural, can be safely drunk by those who suffer from cardiovascular diseases.
The benefit of chicory, therefore, lies in its therapeutic effect on the body, and also in the fact that a delicious and healthy surrogate drink is made from its roots.