Chicory: useful properties and contraindications

Thin straight stems and blue flowers with narrow petals - this plant grows everywhere and everywhere. It is called common chicory. Many are used to thinking of it as a weed, but it is not - this perennial herb is used in cooking and medicine. The chemical composition of a plant includes a lot of substances that can have different effects on the human body. The benefits and harms of chicory depend on how to use it, in what quantities and for what diseases.

The composition and calorie content of chicory

The roots and leaves contain:

• a significant amount (about 11%) of the inulin polysaccharide. Fructose is obtained from this substance. Also, inulin is a natural probiotic;
• proteins (about 4%);
• intibin (it is he who gives the plant a bitter taste);
• tannins;
• organic acids;
• vitamins - carotene, ascorbic acid, riboflavin, thiamine. There is iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium salts.

The flowers contain coumarin glycosides, the juice contains bitter substances (lactucin), and almost a third of the composition of the seeds is fatty oil. The root is rich in oxalic acid salts - oxalates.

Chicory is a low-calorie “product” - 100 grams contains only 23 calories. At the same time, fats - 0.3 grams, carbohydrates - 4.7, proteins - 1.7.

Why is chicory useful?

This herb is used as an adjuvant for a wide range of diseases and in cosmetology practice:

1. Dysbacteriosis, stomach ulcer, constipation, gastritis.
2. Tachycardia, anemia, atherosclerosis, cardiac ischemia.
3. Psoriasis, eczema, furunculosis.
4. Hair loss and thinning, acne, for oily skin care.

Chicory has:

• Vasodilator action;
• Soothing;
• Astringent;
• Antimicrobial;
• Anti-inflammatory;
• Choleretic;
• Stimulating metabolism;
• Improves blood circulation.

Natural chicory is a great substitute for coffee. The drink from this plant invigorates, strengthens the body's defenses.

For women

Every woman spends a lot of time and effort to look good at any age. You can make it easier for yourself to take care of yourself by making it a rule to drink a cup of chicory infusion every day. This will have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin - it will become more elastic, fine wrinkles will be smoothed out, rashes will go away. The plant's anti-aging properties are due to the presence of folic acid and antioxidants that slow down aging.

Why chicory is useful for women, I also know those who are actively fighting cellulite. Body wraps and masks with chicory increase skin tone, relieve swelling and irritation. A cup of chicory every morning will help saturate the body with vitamin A, which stimulates collagen production.

For men

Regular consumption of a drink from this herb is an excellent prevention of diseases of the genitourinary sphere. The plant has antimicrobial and diuretic effects.
The ability of chicory to remove toxins and toxins from the body, to improve blood circulation is important for men of reproductive age.

For men after 45 years of age, the plant will be an excellent prevention or additional treatment for diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

Many men are not adherents of a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition. Drinking alcohol, fast food, fatty foods can easily harm the digestive system. In this case, chicory is the best remedy for protecting the digestive tract.

Slimming

The benefits of soluble chicory can help you lose weight and keep your skin supple. A drink from this plant will provide the body with inulin - this substance slows down the absorption of carbohydrates and prevents the accumulation of fat. Improving circulation will tone your skin and prevent sagging after weight loss.

The herb will provide the body with vitamins, which are often lacking in those who are on a diet. An increase in the load on the body during active sports also requires good nutrition, but with a restriction on the calorie content of foods. And here is a useful plant to help.

Pectin - one of the constituents of the herb - suppresses hunger. If you drink a cup of this herb even after a small snack, you will feel full. Thus, you can easily limit portions of food and lose weight quickly enough.

After 50 years

With age, metabolic processes in the body slow down, which can cause problems with digestion, blood vessels, heart, and other organs. Drinking chicory drinks regularly can help reduce the risk of various diseases, including cancer. The plant is useful for elderly people with:

1. Constipation. The natural prebiotic normalizes the intestinal microflora, on which the digestion of food depends.
2. Diabetes and prediabetes. Elevated blood sugar levels are common in people over 50, even in those who have not been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. To normalize the glucose level, to prevent the development of the disease, you should use the infusion of this herb.
3. Inflammatory processes. Arthritis, polyarthritis, arthrosis - these diseases are diagnosed in people over 50 years old quite often. Along with medications that relieve inflammation, you can drink chicory. Studies show that the plant suppresses the course of pathological processes, reduces the number of foci of inflammation.
4. Insomnia, restlessness. Hormonal changes often cause sleep disturbances and anxiety disorders. Chicory has a calming effect, mild hypnotic, does not give side effects, unlike medications.

Is it possible to chicory for pregnant and breastfeeding

Chicory for nursing mothers and pregnant women is not only allowed to drink, but also necessary. Vitamins and other useful substances that this herb is rich in are necessary during gestation and lactation. At the same time, this representative of the flora does not contain caffeine, which is harmful for both the mother and the baby. Therefore, for pregnant women, this is the best alternative to coffee.

The use of a drink from chicory is indicated for such conditions in pregnant women:

• Constipation;
• Bloating;
• Heartburn;
• Restlessness and nervousness;
• Sleep disturbances;
• Swelling;
• Anemia.

While breastfeeding, you can drink chicory with milk. This drink will help increase lactation.

Can children drink chicory

In the kindergarten menu, a drink from this plant is included quite often.The beneficial properties of chicory protect the child's body from colds, skin diseases, increase the level of hemoglobin, and reduce the risk of developing inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and nervous disorders.

Interestingly, a drink made from chicory has a beneficial effect on cicadian rhythms, helps a small body to properly tune in to a certain time of day.

The quality of the products is important for baby food. Which chicory to choose for making a drink for a child is a serious question, because the modern market offers many options.

The first rule: buy - only in pharmacies or large supermarkets. The best choice is dry chicory powder. You need to give preference to glass packaging - so, the easiest way to consider the product - it should be homogeneous, without lumps or impurities. Pay attention to the composition - it should not contain harmful additives. The percentage of inulin is also important - a powder with a too high content of this substance is not given to children.

The healing properties of chicory: recipes for various diseases

Medicine knows many recipes with this herb for various diseases. The health benefits of instant chicory make up a fairly long list. And recent studies have found a link between chicory consumption and a reduction in cancerous tumors.

With diabetes mellitus

With this disease, you can prepare infusions and decoctions of herbs. You need to take only natural raw materials. A herb with all sorts of additives, including sugar chicory, can do more harm than good.

Soluble herb powder (purchased or prepared on your own) is poured with hot water in the proportion: 1 teaspoon per glass. You need to let the drink brew, drink 3-4 cups a day. It is allowed to add sweetener or honey.

For the broth, you will need a root, which must be finely chopped. For 1 liter of hot water, 20 grams of raw materials are taken, cooked for 15-20 minutes over low heat. Drink after straining, chilled ½ cup three times a day before meals - 15 minutes. The course of treatment with such a decoction is 30 days.

With pancreatitis

Chicory powder - 2 teaspoons, boiling water - 1 glass. Mix the ingredients and cook over low heat for 5 minutes. Cool the broth and drink a little during the day. The course is three weeks.

Milk and water in half - 1 cup, herb root powder - ½ teaspoon (gradually increase to whole). Boil raw materials with hot liquid, cool and drink 20 minutes before each meal during the day.

With gastritis

For 1 liter of water, 100 grams of the plant root is taken, the mixture is boiled for 30 minutes, then filtered, cooled. You need to take a decoction of 10 ml three times a day before meals.

Which is better: coffee or chicory

Caffeine is the main difference between these drinks and the subject of constant controversy. This substance can cause side effects, but at the same time it is actively used in medicine for the treatment of certain diseases and conditions.

If a person does not suffer from hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, convulsions, stomach ulcers, he can safely drink coffee. This drink is even indicated for people with low blood pressure, low efficiency. Coffee is also allowed during pregnancy if the gestation proceeds without complications. The main thing is to observe the measure, choose varieties with a reduced caffeine content.

People with the above diseases should definitely switch to a coffee drink made from chicory, the benefits of which have been proven by experts. Children should not be given coffee either, the herbal drink is much healthier. Instead of coffee, it is better to choose chicory and nursing mothers - the baby does not need caffeine at all.

How to make a chicory drink

The classic recipe is 1 teaspoon of powder per 250 ml of boiling water. You can sweeten it with sugar or its substitute, honey.Spice lovers can add cloves or ginger to taste. Children can have a drink with milk or fruit syrup.

Liquid chicory is simply diluted with water or milk. It is important to remember that this type of product is a concentrate, you do not need to take a lot of it - 1 / 5-1 teaspoon per glass is enough. The drink can be consumed cold or hot, with or without sugar.

Chicory kvass at home

To make kvass from chicory with yeast, you need:

• 5 liters of water;
• 0.5 kg of sugar;
• 50 grams of yeast;
• 10 grams of citric acid.

Add sugar and chicory to one liter of water, cook over low heat for 5 minutes after boiling. The mass must be constantly stirred so that the sugar does not burn. Pour the rest of the water into the cooled syrup, add yeast. Leave to ferment for 3-4 hours, then bottle, keep cold.

Chicory drink: how much can you drink per day

Even considering the benefits of instant chicory, you shouldn't drink more than three to four cups a day. This dose is considered safe even if consumed without interruption. But when the drink is used for the purpose of treatment, it is worth observing the dose indicated in the recipe for a decoction or infusion. It is also worth taking into account the individual tolerance of the plant.

Soluble chicory: benefits and contraindications

Instant chicory is very easy to prepare. Among its useful properties:

• Saturation of the body with vitamins;
• Prevention of digestive problems;
• Normalization of blood pressure;
• Stimulating metabolism;
• Prevention of premature aging.

Contraindications include:

• Respiratory system diseases;
• Allergy;
• Some vascular diseases;
• Problems with the biliary tract.

People with unstable blood pressure ask the question - does chicory increase or decrease blood pressure? They should know that this herb does not have pronounced hypotonic properties; it can slightly lower blood pressure only due to its vasodilating effect. An increase in pressure is possible with individual sensitivity - if after drinking the drink you feel a strong heartbeat, shortness of breath, weakness or nausea, then it is better to refuse it.

How to choose and store instant chicory

In order not to be mistaken in the choice, it is worth buying raw materials only in glass containers. It makes it possible to carefully examine the raw materials. The powder should be:

• Dry;
• Homogeneous grinding;
• Without impurities of a different consistency or color (if we are talking about pure chicory, no seasonings);
• No dust at the bottom. The heterogeneity of the mass may indicate that there are cheap additives in the can;
• No lumps.

You need to store the powder in the original jar. If the powder is packaged in bags, then it should be poured into a container with a tight lid to protect it from moisture.

Harm and contraindications of chicory

This herb is a very strong allergen, so if it is used incorrectly or excessively, the risk of negative reactions is very high. You can not eat it when:

• Bronchitis;
• Asthma;
• Varicose veins;
• Allergies to citrus fruits;
• Exacerbation of pancreatitis.

The benefits and harms of chicory are not a reason to perceive it as a panacea for excess weight and other problems, or consider it a poison. It is important to approach the issue of using this herb responsibly, because to some extent it can be considered a medicine. Moderate consumption of the drink is a guarantee of health and well-being.