© Christian Fischer · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Chicory
CautionGemeine Wegwarte · (Cichorium intybus)
Daisy family (Asteraceae)
Description
The bright blue flowers of common chicory line roadsides and field margins in summer and mark it as the wild ancestor of cultivated forms such as Belgian endive, radicchio and curly endive. The part put to use is chiefly the taproot, dug in autumn: rich in inulin and bitter compounds such as lactucin, it is recognised by Commission E for loss of appetite and digestive weakness and as an adjunct for disturbed bile flow. Roasted, the root has yielded the caffeine-free 'chicory coffee' since the 18th century, its inulin also acting as a prebiotic. Young summer leaves serve as a pungent, bitter wild salad, while infusions — recommended as far back as Hildegard of Bingen — were applied externally as compresses for skin inflammation and slow-healing wounds. Belonging to the daisy family, chicory can cross-react in those allergic to mugwort, ragweed or chamomile; prolonged skin contact with fresh sap has rarely been reported to cause light sensitivity.
Loss of appetite and dyspeptic complaints (bloating, flatulence, mild digestive weakness) and as adjuvant in disturbances of bile flow - bitter therapy with chicory root (Cichorii radix)
Preparation & dosage
Folk use for loss of appetite, fullness and mild digestive complaints - chicory herb (Cichorii herba) is used as a milder bitter tea than the root
Preparation & dosage
Loss of appetite, dyspeptic complaints and stimulation of gastric/biliary secretion - classical bitter tincture from chicory root, often blended in stomach bitters with dandelion, yarrow or wormwood
Preparation & dosage
Young chicory leaves as bitter salad (wild vegetable) to stimulate digestion and bile production - the ancestor of cultivated forms chicory, radicchio and endive
Preparation & dosage
Roasted chicory root as caffeine-free coffee substitute (chicory coffee/'Muckefuck') - traditional ersatz coffee since the 18th century; its inulin acts as a prebiotic and mild digestive aid
Preparation & dosage
Folk medicine: compresses with chicory infusion for skin inflammations, poorly healing wounds, ulcers and eczematous skin - Hildegard of Bingen recommended chicory externally for ulcers and 'gout'
Preparation & dosage
Chicory belongs to the Asteraceae (composite) family - cross-reactions possible in those with known composite allergy (e.g. mugwort, ragweed, arnica, chamomile): contact dermatitis, allergic mucosal reactions. Rare phototoxicity reported with prolonged skin contact with fresh plant sap. Consult a doctor if symptoms persist longer than 2 weeks.
⏱ Max continuous use: 6 weeks
Culinary amounts (salad, Belgian endive, chicory coffee) are considered safe. Therapeutic doses (concentrated bitter tea, tincture) not recommended during pregnancy - traditional references to emmenagogue (menstruation-promoting) effects, sufficient safety data are lacking.
Culinary amounts considered safe. Therapeutic bitter doses not recommended during breastfeeding - insufficient data, bitter principles may pass into breast milk.
In children under 12 years, therapeutic use only after consultation with a paediatrician - no specific paediatric data. Chicory coffee in small amounts traditionally also used for children.
Drug interactions
Antazida, H2-Blocker, Protonenpumpenhemmer (z. B. Omeprazol, Ranitidin)
Bitter principles increase gastric acid secretion and may counteract the acid-suppressing effect of these medicines.
Orale Antidiabetika und Insulin
Inulin from chicory root may dampen blood sugar peaks and influence insulin sensitivity - dose adjustment of antidiabetic drugs may be needed in diabetics; monitor blood glucose closely.
Diuretika
Chicory has a mild traditional diuretic effect; theoretical additive effects with concomitant synthetic diuretics - monitor fluid and electrolyte balance.
Choleretika und Cholagoga (gallensekretionsanregende Mittel)
Potentiation of bile-stimulating action; in biliary obstruction or gallstones increased risk of colic - imaging of bile ducts recommended before use.
Contraindications
- Known allergy to Asteraceae (composite family); acute gallstone disease and biliary obstruction (cholagogues may trigger colic); pronounced hyperacidity, active gastric and duodenal ulcers.
Harvested part: root (autumn), leaves (summer)
- Time of day:
- Collect young basal leaf rosettes and tender stem leaves before flowering in April-May; later the leaves become tough and very bitter. Flower heads (sky-blue ray florets) July-September in the morning - the flowers open only a few hours per day.
- Drying:
- Dry flowering herb hanging in bundles in an airy, shaded place or loosely on cloths at max 40 deg C. Flowers quickly lose their blue colour during drying - this is normal. Store in airtight jars protected from light, shelf life 1 year.
- Time of day:
- Dig up roots (Cichorii radix) in autumn (October-November) of the first or second year of vegetation, when inulin storage in the taproot is highest and aerial parts have died back. Alternatively in early spring before sprouting.
- Drying:
- Dry root pieces on wire racks or drying screens at 40-50 deg C until hard and brittle (2-5 days). For chicory coffee, then roast at 150-180 deg C until dark brown. Store dry and protected from light.
- Sesquiterpenlactone (Lactucin, Lactucopikrin/Intybin, 8-Desoxylactucin, Lactucinsaeure, Cichoriolide)BitterContent: 0,05-0,5 %
Main bitter principles of the guaianolide type; reflexively stimulate salivary, gastric and biliary secretion. Responsible for the characteristic bitter taste of chicory and for experimentally observed hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Inulin und verwandte Fructo-OligosaccharidePolysaccharideContent: 15-20 % (Frischwurzel), bis 60 % (Trockenwurzel)
Chicory root is one of the richest inulin sources - as a prebiotic fibre, inulin selectively promotes growth of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, dampens postprandial blood sugar peaks and supports gut health. Used industrially as fibre and sugar substitute.
- Cichoriensaeure (Chicoric acid, 2,3-Di-O-caffeoyl-weinsaeure)Phenolic acidContent: 0,2-0,7 % (in Blatt und Bluete hoeher)
Characteristic dicaffeoyl tartaric acid of chicory (name-giver); antioxidant, mildly antiviral and immunomodulatory properties; also an immunostimulating accompanying compound in Echinacea purpurea extract.
- Weitere Phenolcarbonsaeuren (Chlorogensaeure, Caffeoylchinasaeure, Kaffeesaeure)Phenolic acidContent: 0,1-0,5 %
Antioxidant and mildly hepatoprotective accompanying compounds; contribute to the overall radical-scavenging activity of chicory extracts.
- Flavonoide (Quercetin-, Kaempferol- und Apigenin-Glykoside, Hyperosid, Isoquercitrin)FlavonoidContent: 0,1-0,3 %
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory accompanying compounds, mainly in leaves and flowers; contribute to mildly vasoprotective effects.
- Cumarine (Cichoriin, Aesculetin, Umbelliferon)OtherContent: Spuren bis 0,2 %
Present in small amounts; contribute to mildly spasmolytic and vasoprotective effects. Cichoriin is the name-giving 6,7-dihydroxy-coumarin glycoside.
- Triterpene und Sterole (alpha- und beta-Lactucerol/Taraxasterol, beta-Sitosterol)OtherContent: Spuren
Lipophilic accompanying compounds of root and latex; minor anti-inflammatory relevance in phytotherapy.
- Mineralstoffe und Vitamine (Kalium, Calcium, Magnesium, Eisen, Provitamin A, Vitamine B und C)OtherContent: variabel
Mainly in young leaves; complement the nutritional value of wild salad and Belgian endive.
- [1]MonographKommission E Monographie - Cichorii radix (Wegwartenwurzel), Positivmonographie BAnz Nr. 122 vom 06.07.1988(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [2]MonographKommission E Monographie - Cichorii herba (Wegwartenkraut), Positivmonographie BAnz Nr. 122 vom 06.07.1988(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [3]MonographESCOP Monographs - Cichorii radix (Chicory Root), 2nd Edition Supplement (2009)(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [4]MonographPlants for a Future - Cichorium intybus (Chicory)(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [5]MonographHeilkraeuter-Lexikon - Wegwarte (Cichorium intybus)(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [6]MonographHenriette's Herbal Homepage - Cichorium intybus (King's American Dispensatory, Felter & Lloyd 1898; Potter's Cyclopaedia)(accessed: 2026-05-19)
- [7]WikipediaWikipedia DE - Gemeine Wegwarte (Cichorium intybus)(accessed: 2026-05-19)