Taxonomic Class

Asteraceae

Common Trade Names

Chicory

Common Forms

Available as the crude herb, extracts, root (roasted and unroasted), and teas.

Source

Active components are extracted from the dried roots of Cichorium intybus, a biennial or perennial herb that is native to Europe. The leaves of young plants are used as potherbs, whereas the leaves of older plants can be blanched and eaten like celery. The roots can be boiled and eaten with butter or, more commonly, can be roasted and added to coffee or tea for a bitter taste. The roasted, dried root is also used as a coffee substitute.

Chemical Components

The flowers contain cichoriin, and the leaves contain carbohydrates, catechol tannins, chicoric acid (dicaffeoyl tartaric acid), flavonoids, glycosides, tartaric acid, and unsaturated sterols and triterpenoids. The roots contain many steam-distillable aromatic compounds. The characteristic aroma of chicory stems from acteophenone. The roots also contain inulin; on roasting, inulin is converted to oxymethylfurfural, which gives off a coffeelike aroma. Chicory also contains maltol, a taste modifier that intensifies the flavor of sugar.

Actions

Chicory is commonly used as a water-soluble or alcoholic extract. The water-soluble fraction is thought to exhibit sedative effects and, therefore, may antagonize the stimulating effects from coffee and tea. Alcohol extracts have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity . Although little information exists regarding chicory use in humans, several animal studies have shown that it reduces the cardiac rate by an action similar to that of quinidine, suggesting its possible usefulness in treating arrhythmias. Interesting information surrounds the potential application of chicory to reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Reported Uses

In herbal lore, chicory is primarily touted as a coffee or tea additive because of its ability to antagonize the CNS stimulation brought on by these substances. It has also been used as a coffee substitute because of its coffeelike aroma and taste. In folk medicine, chicory root is used as a diuretic and laxative; human data are lacking for these uses.

Dosage

Little information is available.

Crude herb: 3 g P.O. daily.

Adverse Reactions

Skin: contact dermatitis .

Interactions

None reported.

Contraindications And Precautions

There are no known contraindications for chicory. Use it cautiously in patients with cardiac disease because of its potential action on the heart.

Special Considerations

Inquire about chicory use when taking the patient’s drug history.

Advise the patient with cardiac disease to avoid using chicory or to use it cautiously.

Although no known chemical interactions have been reported in clinical studies, consideration must be given to the pharmacologic properties of the herbal product and the potential for exacerbation of the intended therapeutic effect of conventional drugs.

Points of Interest

Chicory has been shown to take up the fungicide quintozene through its roots, which may lead to colonization with certain bacteria in the soil and subsequent contamination of the plant.

Commentary

Chicory has a long history of traditional use. Because of its flavor and aroma, the root has been used as a substitute for coffee and tea. Unlike coffee, chicory may exhibit sedative properties, which may explain its traditional use in offsetting the stimulant properties of teas and coffee. These claims are unproven. The plant may have some use as an antiarrhythmic, but further studies are needed. Its use as a laxative is also unclear and should be reserved until human trials are completed. Of greatest interest is the potential application of chicory and its dietary fructans, inulin and oligofructose, as colon carcinogenesis inhibitors.