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Endive | | Name : | Endive | | Synonyms : | Endive
Gardenchicory
Gardenendive (Cichorium endive)
Succory
Wildchicory
Wildsuccory
Bluedandelion
| | Parts Used : | Rootstock, flowering herb | | Habitat : | Commonly cultivated and also are a common sight wild, along roadsides,in vacant lots, waste ground, and fields throughout the United Statesand Europe. Most of the United States cultivated Chicory is grownin Michigan State. | | Description : | A perennial or biennial plant 2-4 feet tall; the large taproot; lightyellow outside, white inside, and, like the rest of the plant, containsa bitter, milky juice. The stiff, roughly hairy, angular, branchingstem bears lanceolate leaves that are coarsely wavy, toothed nearthe bottom of the plant but entire higher up. The light-blue to violet-blue,axillary or terminal flowerheads in small clusters in upper leaf axils,feature rays that are toothed at the ends. They open in the morning.Flowering time is from July to September or October. Seeds are palebrown. | | Constituents : | Appetizer, astringent, carminitive, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic,hepatic, laxative, tonic. | | Uses : | Chicory is often helpful for jaundiceand for spleen problems. The juice of the leaves and a tea made fromthe flowering plant promote the production of bile, the release ofgallstones, and the eliminationof excessive internal mucus. They are also useful for gastritis, lackof appetite, and digestivedifficulties. AA decoction of the rootstock is said to be helpfulto the glandular organs or the digestive system. For painful inflammations,try applying the boiled leaves and flowers wrapped in a cloth. Alsoa spring tonic.
One ounce root in 1 pint of water used as a diuretic, laxative,folk use for jaundice, skin eruptions, slightly sedative, and mildlylaxative. Homeopathically used for liver and gall bladder ailments.Leaf extracts weaker than root extracts. In experiments, animals givenchicory root extracts exhibit a slower and weaker heart rate (pulse).It has been suggested that the plant should be researched for usein heart irregularities. Root extracts in alcohol solutions have provenanti-inflammatory effects in experiments. | | Dosage : | Gather the rootstock from March to May.
Decoction: use 1 tsp. rootstock or herb per 1/2 cup of coldwater; bring to a boil and strain. Take 1 to 1 1/2 cups per day, amouthful at a time.
Juice: take 1 tbsp. in milk or water, 3 times per day. | | Myths : | It would surprise many farmers to know that this weed, so commonin barnyards and along waysides, was a highly regarded medicine ofthe ancient Egyptian and Arabian physicians. The plant was very commonover most of Europe before America was discovered, and is still muchused by people of modern times. The blanched leaves are used in salads;the baked roots as pottage, and pulverized dried roots of Chicorywas used to give body to coffee, or as a coffee substitute.
Roasted chicory roots may be used as a substitute for coffee andthe young leaves eaten in salads. Chicory is used as an additive tocoffee. The French are particularly fond of chicory in coffee.
Roasted chicory not only cuts down the caffeine content of coffee,but also gives coffee body and smoothness, which millions of coffeedrinkers prefer. When adulterating Roasted Chicory with coffee, beginwith a small amount; add more to subsequent mixtures until you acquirethe most desirable mixture. Naturally the more Roasted Chicory used,the less caffeine you will get.
At one time, this was a disreputable adulterant in coffee; but byskillful roasting methods it has become an esteemed ingredient inNew Orleans type coffee. Roasted Chicory now deserves a niche of itsown as a flavor in the culinary world. For a delightful and wholesomedifference, heat (do not boil) 1 cup of milk, add 1 tsp. (or moreif desired) of roasted chicory; steep 5 to 10 minutes. Strain andsweeten to taste. The flavor of this beverage is very much like amilk chocolate. This beverage leaves no caffeine jitters, and containsno theobromine (as in cocoa) that sometimes causes digestive disturbance. | | Sold : | Found in most supermarkets |
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