What is Endive Grass

by Abbas Jahangir · July 3, 2021

Chicory is a plant with a hard stem covered with fine hairs. It has roots that can grow up to 20 cm deep in the soil. Chicory flower colors are usually yellow, with some going blue, white, and pinkish.

Chicory is a medicinal plant that has been consumed in many different places for many years for its benefits. The inulin substance in it has a prebiotic effect by increasing the number of beneficial bacteria. Thus, the digestive system works more healthily. It is also said to have a protective effect against diabetes, cancer, and heart diseases.

It has a strengthening effect on the liver. This plant has been used as treatment support since ancient times. There are articles by Ibn-i Sina about the benefits of chicory grass. In these articles, there is various information such as that if the skin is washed with chicory water, it will be healthier, and its consumption is beneficial for the liver. Let’s take a look at the benefits of chicory together.

What is Endive?

First of all, let’s say to those who ask what chicory means, that it is among the first plants recorded; that is, it has a very old history, and its name is of Arabic origin.
Chicory, which is known by different names such as chicory and wild chicory, is in the family of compounds in botanical science.
Although they have many similarities with dandelion (radica), they are different plants. The cotton balls of the dandelion, which children love to play with and blown apart, have also inspired many musicians and artists.
The chicory plant can grow like a weed species in different places such as roadsides, slopes, and uncultivated lands, especially in the Anatolian region. It is a species that can spread to large areas with self-shedding seeds.

Chicory Benefits: 10 Little-Known Properties

Chicory, a plant used in cosmetics, helps to refresh and renew the skin.
It helps to treat liver ailments and gallbladder problems.
It cleans the blood, facilitates the excretion of urine and sweat, and ensures the revitalization of the body. Thus, toxins are removed and body resistance increases.
You can also benefit from chicory for digestive system problems such as reflux, heartburn, and indigestion.
The natural fibrous structure of chicory is good for the health of the whole system.
It helps lower bad cholesterol and reduces the risk of a heart attack.
You can drink chicory tea to relieve your pain caused by calcification.
Some people who can benefit from the anxiety and stress-reducing effect of the plant can sleep a little better by drinking chicory tea in the evening.
It is among the plants recommended as a preventative against cancer formation.
If you want to lose weight because it creates a feeling of satiety, you can add chicory tea to the diet list.
It is known to have a sugar-balancing effect for those with diabetes.

What Is Chicory Good For, How To Eat It?

Chicory, which is among the plant species that grow without any effort in humid areas, is used both to benefit from its healing and as food.
If you ask how chicory is consumed, salads and meals are made from its leaves.
The plant has a slightly bitter taste.
The root, flower, and stem parts are used to help treat some ailments.
Chicory is consumed as herbal tea. Its preparation is the same as other herbal teas; After brewing in boiled water for 5-6 minutes on average, it can be filtered and drunk.
In addition, the mixture obtained by drying the roots of the plant is drunk as chicory coffee.

Is Chicory Weakening?

Chicory grass benefits include weight loss facilitating effect. Although chicory tea and chicory coffee do not provide weight loss directly, they help to lose weight indirectly with their effects. We can list these effects as follows:
It helps to pay off.
It makes you feel full for a long time.
Chicory coffee facilitates the digestion of the food eaten.
It supports weight loss by accelerating metabolism.

Chicory Harms and Side Effects

In general, the natural plant chicory, which does not cause much harm, can have negative effects in some special cases.
Those who are allergic to blueberry and birch pollen may also be allergic to chicory.
If chicory is consumed in excess, it can go beyond relieving digestion and cause problems such as diarrhea.
It is recommended that pregnant women and children not drink chicory.