I marvel at the plethora of medicinal plants that our creator has bestowed on the inhabitants of this earthly realm. I have heard estimates of over 25,000 species. We, as a people, presently employ less than a thousand. I have recently become acquainted with a plant that has been used successfully for thousands of years. I was familiar with it being used as a coffee substitute; however, I hadn’t done an in-depth study on its myriad of medicinal applications. 

Historically we can draw upon the early Egyptians for information on the medicinal properties of plants, but I found more recent information on this herb from the mid-1800s. Due to the Union naval blockade, the port of New Orleans was denied shipments of coffee beans. So, with the American entrepreneur spirit chicory root (Cichorium intybus) was employed as a substitute. It became so popular it was named French coffee. To this day it rivals coffee singularly and in blends to improve the taste and ameliorate the strong stimulating properties of regular coffee. 

Even more amazing are the medicinal aspects of chicory. Although Dr. Christopher’s protocols are very successful in healing eye disorders, I am thrilled to add chicory to the program. One hundred grams (3.5 oz) of chicory leaves contain 5,717 IU (190% of daily recommended levels) of vitamin A. Besides the A & B carotenes which convert to Vitamin A, chicory has high amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin (10,300 μg/100 g), which are essential to the eyes, providing antioxidant and protective light-filtering functions. Thus, it helps prevent retinal detachment and offers protection against “age-related macular degeneration disease.” 1 

Chicory is better than a vitamin K supplement in that 100 grams of the herb in a whole food form contains 247 mg of vitamin K (215% of recommended dosage). It is also high in vitamins C, E, B-complex, calcium, copper, and iron.

Chicory is presently used to prevent and manage diabetes (the roots contain inulin). It is also used to prevent DNA damage, osteo-arthritis, auto-immune disease, and liver disease. Chicory promotes wound healing and fights parasites (i.e., malaria), viruses, bacteria, and fungal infections. 

God wants us to be healthy so let’s study his medicinal gifts. If you are not a student already, I encourage you to begin or continue your education by enrolling in our herbal school, www.schoolofnaturalhealing.com 

References:

1. https://www.nutrition-and-you.com/chicory-greens.html