CHICORY: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

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.

Special Precautions and Warnings

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. 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.

View References

REFERENCES:

Blumenthal, M and et al. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. 1998;

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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

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CHICORY - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Overview

How does it work ?

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with CHICORY

Dosing

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