Cichorium intybus
Botanical Nomenclature | Cichorium intybus |
Common Name | Chicory, Radicchio, Succory, Witloof |
Taxonomy- Family | Compositae or Asteraceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Cichorium intybus is a perennial, herbaceous plant growing up to 1m, with pinnate or lanceolate, wavy leaves and blue flowers in inflorescence. The flowering lasts from June to September and the harvesting takes place from September to December |
Region Found | Epirus |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Root, aboveground plant parts |
Active Substances | Intivine (bitter agents), inulin (20-50%), flavonoids, phenolic acids, sesquiterpenes, cinnamic acid, anthocyanins, hydroxycinnamic acid, albumin, inorganic salts (nitrates, sulfates, phosphates) |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The plant has tonic, digestive, cholagogue, laxative and diuretic properties. It is administered in the form of herbal tea for the treatment of jaundice, liver pain, liver swelling, colic, gout and rheumatism. In folk medicine the roasted roots of the plant are used as coffee substitute with appetizing and tonic properties. |
Method of Administration | The plant is administered for the treatment of liver diseases in the form of herbal tea (a spoon of dried root and leaves in a cup of boiled water, 2-3 times a day) Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
Toxicity- Adverse Effects | Cross-reaction with birch pollen may cause oral allergy syndrome |
References | 1) Bιβλίο: Τα φαρμακευτικά βότανα και οι θεραπευτικές τους ιδιότητες, Λάμπρου Π. Σπύρου, Αγροτικός εκδοτικός οίκος, Αθήνα 1981, Β' τόμος, σελίδες: 454-456 2) Βιβλίο: Οδηγός των φαρμακευτικών φυτών, Paul Schauenberg, Ferdinand Paris, Εκδότης Μ. Γκιούρδας, Αθήνα 1981, σελίδες 219-220 3)Zlatanov, M. D., Antova, G. A., Angelova-Romova, M. J. and Teneva, O. T. (2012), Lipid composition ofCastanea sativa Mill. and Aesculus hippocastanum fruit oils. J. Sci. Food Agric.. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.5917 4)http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jsfa.5917/abstract;jsessionid=B4E74AB505B05D2FEB8A1089AB98C53F.d04t04?systemMessage=Wiley+Online+Library+will+be+disrupted+on+15+December+from+10%3A00-12%3A00+GMT+%2805%3A00-07%3A00+EST%29+for+essential+main 5)http://www.reherb.eu/el/content/cichorium-intybus 6)http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2013/579319/ |