CHICORY

OTHER NAME(S):

Achicoria, Barbe de Capucin, Blue Sailors, Cheveux de Paysans, Chicorée, Chicorée Amère, Chicorée Sauvage, Cichorii Herba, Cichorium intybus, Cichorii Radix, Common Chicory Root, Écoubette, Hendibeh, Herbe à Café, Hinduba, Kasani, Kasni, Racine de Chicorée Commune, Succory, Wild Chicory, Wild Endive, Yeux de Chat.

Overview

Overview Information

Chicory is a plant. Its seeds, roots, and dried, above-ground parts are used to make medicine.

Chicory is used for liver and heart health, constipation, swelling, and other conditions, but there is no good evidence to support its use.

In foods, chicory leaves are often eaten like celery, and the roots and leaf buds are boiled and eaten. Chicory is also used as a cooking spice and to flavor foods and beverages. Some coffee mixes include ground chicory to enhance the richness of the coffee.

How does it work?

Chicory root has a mild laxative effect, increases bile from the gallbladder, and decreases swelling. Chicory is a rich source of beta-carotene.

Uses

Uses & Effectiveness?

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Build up of fat in the liver in people who drink little or no alcohol (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD). Early research shows that taking chicory seed infused in hot water helps with weight loss in people with NAFLD.
  • Osteoarthritis. Early research shows that chicory root extract does not improve pain and stiffness better than a "sugar" (placebo) pill in people with osteoarthritis.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Heart failure.
  • Constipation.
  • Liver disorders.
  • Gallbladder disorders.
  • Cancer.
  • Skin inflammation.
  • Loss of appetite.
  • Upset stomach.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of chicory for these uses.

Side Effects

Side Effects & Safety

When taken by mouth: Chicory is LIKELY SAFE for most adults when consumed in amounts found in food. Chicory root extract and chicory seed are POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts, short-term. Taking chicory by mouth might cause minor GI side effects including gas, bloating, abdominal pain, and belching. There isn't enough reliable information to know if chicory is safe to use orally, long-term, or what the side effects might be.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if chicory is safe. Some reports show that handling the chicory plant might cause skin irritation.

Special Precautions & Warnings:

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Taking chicory by mouth in large amounts is POSSIBLY UNSAFE during pregnancy. Chicory might start menstruation and cause a miscarriage. There isn't enough reliable information to know if chicory is safe to use as medicine when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick with food amounts.

Chicory allergy: If you are allergic to chicory, don't take it by mouth or handle it.

Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Chicory may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking chicory.

Diabetes: Chicory may lower blood sugar in people with diabetes. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use chicory in amounts larger than the amounts normally found in food.

Gallstones: Chicory can stimulate the production of bile. This could be a problem for people with gallstones. Don't use chicory without medical supervision if you have gallstones.

Surgery: Chicory might lower blood sugar and might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking chicory as a medicine at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

Interactions?

We currently have no information for CHICORY Interactions.

Dosing

Dosing

The appropriate dose of chicory for use as treatment depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for chicory. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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View References

REFERENCES:

  • de Kraker, J. W., Franssen, M. C., Joerink, M., de Groot, A., and Bouwmeester, H. J. Biosynthesis of costunolide, dihydrocostunolide, and leucodin. Demonstration of cytochrome p450-catalyzed formation of the lactone ring present in sesquiterpene lactones of chicory. Plant Physiol 2002;129(1):257-268. View abstract.
  • Delzenne, N. M., Cani, P. D., Daubioul, C., and Neyrinck, A. M. Impact of inulin and oligofructose on gastrointestinal peptides. Br J Nutr. 2005;93 Suppl 1:S157-S161. View abstract.
  • Du, H., Yuan, S., and Jiang, P. [Chemical constituents of Cichorium intybus L.]. Zhongguo Zhong.Yao Za Zhi. 1998;23(11):682-3, 704. View abstract.
  • Finke, B., Stahl, B., Pritschet, M., Facius, D., Wolfgang, J., and Boehm, G. Preparative continuous annular chromatography (P-CAC) enables the large-scale fractionation of fructans. J Agric.Food Chem 8-14-2002;50(17):4743-4748. View abstract.
  • Friis, B., Hjorth, N., Vail, J. T., Jr., and Mitchell, J. C. Occupational contact dermatitis from Cichorium (chicory, endive) and Lactuca (lettuce). Contact Dermatitis 1975;1(5):311-313. View abstract.
  • Grieshop, C. M., Flickinger, E. A., Bruce, K. J., Patil, A. R., Czarnecki-Maulden, G. L., and Fahey, G. C., Jr. Gastrointestinal and immunological responses of senior dogs to chicory and mannan-oligosaccharides. Arch Anim Nutr. 2004;58(6):483-493. View abstract.
  • Harnyk, T. P. [The use of preparations of plant origin in treating and rehabilitating elderly patients with chronic hepatitis]. Lik.Sprava. 1999;(7-8):168-170. View abstract.
  • He, Y., Guo, Y. J., and Gao, Y. Y. [Studies on chemical constituents of root of Cichorium intybus]. Zhongguo Zhong.Yao Za Zhi. 2002;27(3):209-210. View abstract.
  • Kim, H. M., Kim, H. W., Lyu, Y. S., Won, J. H., Kim, D. K., Lee, Y. M., Morii, E., Jippo, T., Kitamura, Y., and An, N. H. Inhibitory effect of mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions by Cichorium intybus. Pharmacol.Res 1999;40(1):61-65. View abstract.
  • Kim, J. H., Mun, Y. J., Woo, W. H., Jeon, K. S., An, N. H., and Park, J. S. Effects of the ethanol extract of Cichorium intybus on the immunotoxicity by ethanol in mice. Int Immunopharmacol. 2002;2(6):733-744. View abstract.
  • Nemery, B. and Demedts, M. Occupational asthma in a chicory grower. Lancet 3-25-1989;1(8639):672-673. View abstract.
  • Bonnema AL, Kolberg LW, Thomas W, Slavin JL. Gastrointestinal tolerance of chicory inulin products. J Am Diet Assoc 2010;110(6):865-8. View abstract.
  • Bouhnik Y, Vahedi K, Achour L, et al. Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide administration dose-dependently increases fecal bifidobacteria in healthy humans. J Nutr 1999;129:113-6. View abstract.
  • Briet F, et al. Symptomatic response to varying levels of fructo-oligosaccharides consumed occasionally or regularly. Eur J Clin Nutr 1995;49:501-7. View abstract.
  • Cadot, P., Kochuyt, A. M., van Ree, R., and Ceuppens, J. L. Oral allergy syndrome to chicory associated with birch pollen allergy. Int.Arch.Allergy Immunol. 2003;131(1):19-24. View abstract.
  • Correa CM, Tibana A, Gontijo-Filho PP. Vegetables as a source of infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a University and Oncology Hospital of Rio de Janeiro. J Hosp Infect 1991;18:301-6. View abstract.
  • Cummings JH, Macfarlane GT, Englyst HN. Prebiotic digestion and fermentation. Am J Clin Nutr 2001;73:415S-420S. View abstract.
  • Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
  • Ghaffari A, Rafraf M, Navekar R, Sepehri B, Asghari-Jafarabadi M, Ghavami SM. Turmeric and chicory seed have beneficial effects on obesity markers and lipid profile in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Int J Vitam Nutr Res 2019;89(5-6):293-302. doi: 10.1024/0300-9831/a000568. View abstract.
  • Marteau P, Jacobs H, Cazaubiel M, Signoret C, Prevel JM, Housez B. Effects of chicory inulin in constipated elderly people: a double-blind controlled trial. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2011;62(2):164-70. View abstract.
  • Olsen NJ, Branch VK, Jonnala G, Seskar M, Cooper M. Phase 1, placebo-controlled, dose escalation trial of chicory root extract in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. BMC Musculoskeletal Disord 2010;11:156. View abstract.
  • Pirson F, Detry B, Pilette C. Occupational rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma caused by chicory and oral allergy syndrome associated with bet v 1-related protein. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2009;19(4):306-10. View abstract.
  • Stone-Dorshow T, Levitt MD. Gaseous response to ingestion of a poorly absorbed fructo-oligosaccharide sweetener. Am J Clin Nutr 1987;46:61-5. View abstract.
  • Street RA, Sidana J, Prinsloo G. Cichorium intybus: traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2013;2013:579319. View abstract.
  • Willi R, Pfab F, Huss-Marp J, et al. Contact anaphylaxis and protein contact dermatitis in a cook handling chicory leaves. Contact Dermatitis 2009;60(4):226-7. View abstract.
  • Cavin, C., Delannoy, M., Malnoe, A., Debefve, E., Touche, A., Courtois, D., and Schilter, B. Inhibition of the expression and activity of cyclooxygenase-2 by chicory extract. Biochem.Biophys.Res Commun. 2-18-2005;327(3):742-749. View abstract.
  • Blumenthal, M and et al. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. 1998;

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

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