Chicory Root 100 g, 50 g, 25 g

Chicory Root 100 g ($12.99), 50 g ($8.99), 25 g ($5.99)

Benefits:
Prebiotic Fiber
Fresh chicory root is composed of 68% inulin by dry weight (1). Inulin is a type of fiber known as a fructan or fructooligosaccharide, a carbohydrate made from a short chain of fructose molecules that your body doesn’t digest.

It acts as a prebiotic, meaning that it feeds the beneficial bacteria in your gut. These helpful bacteria play a role in reducing inflammation, fighting harmful bacteria, and improving mineral absorption (2, 3, 4, 5). Thus, chicory root fiber may promote optimal gut health in a variety of ways.

Digestion
Since the inulin in chicory root fiber passes through your body undigested and feeds your gut bacteria, it may promote healthy digestion. In particular, studies suggest that inulin can relieve constipation (6, 7). A 4-week study in 44 adults with constipation found that taking 12 grams of chicory inulin per day helped soften stool and significantly increased bowel movement frequency, compared with taking a placebo (6). In a study in 16 people with low stool frequency, taking a daily dose of 10 grams of chicory inulin increased the number of bowel movements from 4 to 5 per week, on average (7).

Keep in mind that most studies have focused on chicory inulin supplements, so more research is needed on its fiber as an additive.

Blood Sugar
Chicory root fiber may boost blood sugar control, especially with diabetic people.

This may be due to its inulin, which promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria involved in carbohydrate metabolism — which breaks down carbs into sugars — and sensitivity to insulin, the hormone that helps absorb sugar from the blood (8, 9, 10). Chicory root fiber likewise contains compounds like chicoric and chlorogenic acids, which have been shown to increase muscle sensitivity to insulin in rodent studies (11, 12). A 2-month study in 49 women with type 2 diabetes found that taking 10 grams of inulin per day led to significant decreases in blood sugar levels and hemoglobin A1c, a measurement of average blood sugar, compared with taking a placebo (13).

Notably, the inulin used in this study is known as high-performance inulin and often added to baked goods and drinks as a sugar substitute. It has a slightly different chemical composition than other types of inulin (13).

Weight Loss
Some studies suggest that chicory root fiber may regulate appetite and decrease overall calorie intake, possibly leading to weight loss. A 12-week study in 48 adults with excess weight determined that taking 21 grams per day of chicory-derived oligofructose, which is very similar to inulin, led to a significant, 2.2-pound (1-kg) average reduction in body weight — while the placebo group gained weight (14). This study also found that oligofructose helped decrease levels of ghrelin, a hormone that stimulates feelings of hunger (14). Other research has yielded similar results but mostly tested inulin or oligofructose supplements — not chicory root fiber (15, 16).

Botanical Name: Cichorium intybus
English: Chicory
Ayurveda: Kaasani.
Also, known as: Succory, Wild Succory, Hendibeh, Barbe de capuchin, Kaasani Dashti (Barri), Kasinikkeerai, Achicoria, Blue Sailors, Cheveux de Paysans, Chicorée, Chicorée Amère, Chicorée Sauvage, Cichorii Herba, Cichorii Radix, Common Chicory Root, Ecoubette, Herbe à Cafe, Hinduba, Kasani, Kasni, Racine de Chicorée Commune, Wild Chicory, Wild Endive, Yeux de Chat
Habitat: Europe & Asia
Origin: India
Harvested: Cultivated
Parts Used: Root

General Information:
Cichorium intybus is a perennial plant. The stems are erecting and multi branched and 2-3 feet in height The lower leaves of the plant are large and spreading-thickly covered with hairs, something like the form of the Dandelion leaf, except that the numerous lateral segments or lobes are in general direction about at a right angle with the central stem, instead of pointing downwards, as in similar portions of the leaf of the Dandelion. Bright or light blue flowers grow in clusters of two or three, opening with the sunrise and closing by midday. The general aspect of the plant is somewhat stiff and angular. Found in open or grassy areas, along roadsides and parking lots.

Chicory leaves are often eaten like celery, and the roots and leaf buds are boiled and eaten. Chicory is also used as a cooking spice and to flavor foods and beverages. Coffee mixes often include ground chicory to enhance the richness of the coffee.

It has been suggested that the name Succory came from the Latin succurrere (to run under), because of the depth to which the root penetrates.

 

How to use:
We make these suggestions to help you get the best benefit from the herbs that you’re choosing to improve your health. Also we make these ideas and recommendations so that consuming them easier and better fit into your lifestyle by adding them to the food that you already eat.
For the full health benefit, it is best to consume (or use the whole herb in poultices) the whole herb. All of the compounds in the herb act best together, as nature intends. Extracts draw out the most prominent beneficial compounds and may concentrate them. What is not extracted can be helpful in ways that we do not yet understand.

Cut Pieces or Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use cut pieces or powdered herb.
Food Preparation: You can add powdered or pieces of herb (if the pieces you buy are bigger than you like, a coffee or herb grinder will quickly reduce) to any yogurt, smoothie, apple or other sauces, spreads, salads or other foods more familiar to you that don’t use heat. Heat can be damaging to the beneficial compounds in the herb. Other options like oatmeal, scrambled eggs, pasta sauce, soup, cookies and anything else that fits your lifestyle, but minimizing (by adding near the end of cooking) the heat is helpful.
Also, for children, you can mix powdered herb with honey or glycerin to make paste. The thicker the paste, the more potent and herbal in taste. The sweet taste of honey and glycerin will help medicine go down. The resulting liquid is called an electuary.
For seeds in general, but especially small seeds, it’s best to grind these to break the protective hulls a short time before consumption. This makes all the benefits available, rather than some remaining locked inside the hulls that are unbroken by insufficient chewing.
To make adding herbs even easier, you could add a week’s worth of your chosen herb(s) to an amount of, for example, yogurt that you would eat in a week. Mix thoroughly and eat this each day of the week. So you make once /week and just eat each other day.
Hot Infusion: The basic method for dried herbs and flower is, take 2-3 tablespoons of dried herb in a cup or teapot. Pour hot water over it and cover it with lid for 10-30 minutes. The heat from making tea can degrade some of the beneficial compounds in the herb. This method minimizes this effect. For the full health benefit, it is recommended to consume what is left over after making tea.
Decoctions: Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water, Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes with the pot covered. Squeeze out as much as liquid as possible. Best practice is to drink the liquid and also consume the solid material that remains. Herb pieces can also be used.
Powdered Herb:
There are different ways to use powdered herb.
Capsules: HerbsCrafters makes capsules guaranteed to be filled with the pure herb with no filler or any other products. You can also use powdered herb to make your own capsules at home. These capsules are best taken with liquid to aid in digestion and absorption and to ensure it doesn’t stick in your throat.
Poultice: Poultice can be made with an herbal powder and liquid (mostly water) to form a paste which is then applied to the skin. This method is very helpful for skin conditions.
Herbal shot: Powdered herb can be mixed with water, fruit juice or other liquid to make herbal shot.

Tips:
You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder or licorice root powder.

Precautions:
You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
All information on this website is for educational purpose ONLY.
This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

How Much To Use: