Thursday, July 21, 2011

Wildcrafting: Chicory

Chicory



Latin: Cichorium intybus


Other Names: 
Blue-Sailors
Coffeeweed
Cornflower
Succory
Wild Cherry
Wild Succory


Magickal Attributes: 
Blockages removed, Favors, Frigidity, Frugality, Hexing, Invisibility, Promotes positive outlook, Removing obstacles, Road opening


Medicinal & Other Uses: 
Appetite stimulant, Astringent, Beer, Blood purifier, Bruises, Calcium, Chicory Coffee, Constipation, Copper, Culinary, Cuts, Eye health, Gallstones, Gastroenteritis, Hepatoprotection, High fiber supplement, Hormone balancing, Intestinal worms, Laxative, Magnesium, Phosphorous, PMS symptom reducer, Potassium, Sedative, Sinus problems, Tonic, Vitamin A, B, B Complex, E, C, Weight loss, Zinc


Deities: 
N/A


Gender: M
Planet: Sun
Element: Air


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Harvest Time: 
Leaves: March & November. Leaves are too bitter during the interim months.


Roots: Early Spring & Autumn


Garden Uses: 
Decorative herb


Culinary Uses: 
Coffee: 1½ tsp per cup of water


Use the roots to make a caffeine-free coffee-like beverage: scrub, chop, & toast in the oven at 350ºF 1 hour, or until dark brown, brittle, & aromatic, stirring occasionally. Grind in a spice grinder or blender, and use like regular coffee.


Other Uses: 
Washes: Strong tea for skin irritations, including fungal problems such as athlete’s foot.


Tonic: PMS reducer, balancing the hormones and lessening PMS symptoms.


Effective in jaundice, liver enlargements, gout & rheumatic complaints, 


Fresh gathered plant used in a decoction of the plant is recommended for stones.


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Parts & Their Uses
Blood purifier
Diuretic
Hepatoprotection (prevent liver damage)
High in Vitamins & Minerals
Hormone balancer
Laxative
Sedative
Tonic


Flowers:
Flowers are delicate and bruise easily, so gathering must be done with care.


Flowers may be gathered to make a light blue dye.


Harvest for a tonic and treatment for gallstones, gastroenteritis, sinus problems, cuts, & bruises.


Drying Flowers:
Gather and hand upside down to dry.


Leaves:
Salad greens.


Roots:
Tonic for PMS.


Whole Plant:
Boiled plants for compresses for skin irritation, swelling, boils, & mild inflammation.


Tea can be used as a soothing eyewash.


Tinctures:
Fresh or dried herb infused in alcohol.


Oils:
Fresh plant parts infused in safflower or olive oil for several weeks. Can be used in foods while cooking


Infusions:
Fresh herb 1:1 in 25% alcohol


Infusion Recipe: 
Chicory Coffee: pour boiling water on 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoons of dried Chicory, steep for 10 minutes, then strain. Combines well with cinnamon & dandelion root.


Decoction: add 1 oz of the root to a pint of boiling water


Syrup of Succory is an excellent laxative for children, as it acts without irritation.


An infusion of the herb is useful for skin eruptions connected with gout.

4 comments:

  1. I have this plant, or at least a relative of it. It was called Italico Rosso Dandelion, and its like a red veined dandelion. When I let it flower it has blue chicory flowers. I'm going to dig up the root and make it like for coffee anyway, I think it is close enough.

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  2. Yes, I have this also in my yard, so I have both. In fact the Italian Red Dandelion (Italico Rosso Dandelion) is more prolific than the Chicory (Cichorium intybus). Oddly enough with the drought we've had, they've actually spread even more. So between the two we have a beautiful blue hill every morning. LOL Until hubby mows! I may have to transplant them to another location where he won't be so inclined to run them over! :)

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  3. http://hoodoohillrootworksupply.blogspot.com/ is very educative , i learn alot aboout Magic Spells

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  4. :) Thank you! I like to share what I know and what I've also found and learned.

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