Chicory (Chicorium intybus)
Therapeutic indications: The chicory is recommended in bladder dyschinesia, hepatitis, hepatic and splenic congestions (by its fat cleansing effect), stomach diseases (gastric and intestinal atony, digestive, chronic constipation, stomach cramps), in case of intestinal worms, renal affections (lithiasis and dyschinesia) and sugar diabetes. It fights the degenerative rheumatism, gout and arthritis. The chicory tea is recommended in case of nervousness, hysteria and asthenia.
It is an effective adjuvant in treating acne. If the internal treatment is realized through a easy to produce decoct, some of the above mentioned affections require cataplasms as well as a tincture extremely efficient in case of rheumatism: introduce the inflorescences into a glass recipient and pour pure alcohol to cover them. Place the recipient near a heat source on in the sun and leave it for 2 weeks. Pour the liquid without filtering on a tissue and place on the painful areas.
The persons with kidney stones must avoid the consumption of large chicory quantities because the root has high oxalate content.
Cold macerate: put 2 teaspoons of root powder (grinded through an electric grinder) in a 200 ml cup with water and leave for 8 – 10 hours in room temperature and then strain. Drink 1- 3 cups of the macerate a day on an empty stomach, minimum 15 minutes before meals. Depending on the cured affection the cure should last between 3 to 6 weeks.
Combined infusion: put 2 teaspoons of root into a cup of water and leave it to macerate for 6 – 8 hours and then strain. Put aside the product and boil the remaining plant in another glass of water and then cool. Combine the 2 extracts and consume during the day.
Tincture: put in a glass jar 20 spoons of root powder and cover with alimentary 50º alcohol stirring continuously. Cover the powder with an additional 2 centimeters layer of alcohol, seal hermetically and leave it to macerate for 12 days and then strain. Place the product in small dark bottles and keep for a maximum of 2 years. Take one teaspoon 4 times a day, in 1 to 3 months treatments.