Chicory, ext.

Chicory is an annual or perennial herb, growing up to 50 cm high. It is indigenous to Europe, India and Egypt. The plant exhibits leaves stemming directly from the root, similar in shape to those of the related dandelion, but with numerous showy, blue flowers. There are two principal types: the Brunswick variety has deeply cut leaves and spreads horizontally, and the Megdeburg variety has undivided leaves and grows erect. The bright blue flowers bloom from July to September. The dried root is t

Chicory is used as a diuretic and laxative, a coffee substitute, a sedative, an appetite stimulant, and a treatment for cancer. It can be found in many tea product formulas. Chicory is a very mild herb used for its bitter properties, mostly as a tonic.