CHICORY: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is an herb native to Europe and Asia. It's also grown in the United States. Chicory root contains inulin, a starchy substance.

Chicory root has a mild laxative effect and decreases swelling. Chicory is also a rich source of beta-carotene.

People use chicory for liver and heart health, constipation, indigestion, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Don't confuse chicory with inulin. Inulin is a compound found in chicory, but they are not the same thing.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for CHICORY overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Chicory is commonly consumed in foods. Chicory root extract and chicory seed are possibly safe when used as medicine, short-term. Side effects might include gas, bloating, and belching. There isn't enough reliable information to know if chicory is safe to use as medicine long-term.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if chicory is safe. Handling the chicory plant might cause skin irritation.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy: Taking chicory by mouth in large amounts is possibly unsafe during pregnancy. Chicory might start menstruation and cause a miscarriage.

Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if chicory is safe to use as medicine when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick with food amounts.

Allergy to ragweed and related plants: Chicory may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. If you have allergies, be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking chicory.

Gallstones: Chicory can stimulate the production of bile. This could be a problem for people with gallstones. Don't use chicory if you have gallstones.

Surgery: Chicory might lower blood sugar and might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop taking chicory as a medicine at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with this combination

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with CHICORY
Chicory might lower blood sugar levels. Taking chicory along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

Dosing

Chicory is commonly used in food. As medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of chicory might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

Navarro-Triviño FJ. Allergic contact dermatitis from shellac in an ecological hair spray occurring in a patient with frontal fibrosing alopecia. Contact Dermatitis 2022;86(6):544-545. View abstract.

Orton DI, Salim A, Shaw S. Allergic contact cheilitis due to shellac. Contact Dermatitis. 2001;44(4):250. View abstract.

Blumenthal, M and et al. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. 1998;

Cavin, C., Delannoy, M., Malnoe, A., Debefve, E., Touche, A., Courtois, D., and Schilter, B. Inhibition of the expression and activity of cyclooxygenase-2 by chicory extract. Biochem.Biophys.Res Commun. 2-18-2005;327(3):742-749. View abstract.

Chow, J. Probiotics and prebiotics: A brief overview. J Ren Nutr. 2002;12(2):76-86. View abstract.

Delzenne, N. M., Cani, P. D., Daubioul, C., and Neyrinck, A. M. Impact of inulin and oligofructose on gastrointestinal peptides. Br J Nutr. 2005;93 Suppl 1:S157-S161. View abstract.

Du, H., Yuan, S., and Jiang, P. [Chemical constituents of Cichorium intybus L.]. Zhongguo Zhong.Yao Za Zhi. 1998;23(11):682-3, 704. View abstract.

Finke, B., Stahl, B., Pritschet, M., Facius, D., Wolfgang, J., and Boehm, G. Preparative continuous annular chromatography (P-CAC) enables the large-scale fractionation of fructans. J Agric.Food Chem 8-14-2002;50(17):4743-4748. View abstract.

Friis, B., Hjorth, N., Vail, J. T., Jr., and Mitchell, J. C. Occupational contact dermatitis from Cichorium (chicory, endive) and Lactuca (lettuce). Contact Dermatitis 1975;1(5):311-313. View abstract.

Grieshop, C. M., Flickinger, E. A., Bruce, K. J., Patil, A. R., Czarnecki-Maulden, G. L., and Fahey, G. C., Jr. Gastrointestinal and immunological responses of senior dogs to chicory and mannan-oligosaccharides. Arch Anim Nutr. 2004;58(6):483-493. View abstract.

Harnyk, T. P. [The use of preparations of plant origin in treating and rehabilitating elderly patients with chronic hepatitis]. Lik.Sprava. 1999;(7-8):168-170. View abstract.

He, Y., Guo, Y. J., and Gao, Y. Y. [Studies on chemical constituents of root of Cichorium intybus]. Zhongguo Zhong.Yao Za Zhi. 2002;27(3):209-210. View abstract.

Kim, H. M., Kim, H. W., Lyu, Y. S., Won, J. H., Kim, D. K., Lee, Y. M., Morii, E., Jippo, T., Kitamura, Y., and An, N. H. Inhibitory effect of mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions by Cichorium intybus. Pharmacol.Res 1999;40(1):61-65. View abstract.

Nemery, B. and Demedts, M. Occupational asthma in a chicory grower. Lancet 3-25-1989;1(8639):672-673. View abstract.

Reddy, B. S. Possible mechanisms by which pro- and prebiotics influence colon carcinogenesis and tumor growth. J Nutr. 1999;129(7 Suppl):1478S-1482S. View abstract.

Reddy, B. S. Prevention of colon cancer by pre- and probiotics: evidence from laboratory studies. Br J Nutr. 1998;80(4):S219-S223. View abstract.

Bonnema AL, Kolberg LW, Thomas W, Slavin JL. Gastrointestinal tolerance of chicory inulin products. J Am Diet Assoc 2010;110(6):865-8. View abstract.

Bouhnik Y, Vahedi K, Achour L, et al. Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide administration dose-dependently increases fecal bifidobacteria in healthy humans. J Nutr 1999;129:113-6. View abstract.

Briet F, et al. Symptomatic response to varying levels of fructo-oligosaccharides consumed occasionally or regularly. Eur J Clin Nutr 1995;49:501-7. View abstract.

Cadot, P., Kochuyt, A. M., van Ree, R., and Ceuppens, J. L. Oral allergy syndrome to chicory associated with birch pollen allergy. Int.Arch.Allergy Immunol. 2003;131(1):19-24. View abstract.

Correa CM, Tibana A, Gontijo-Filho PP. Vegetables as a source of infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a University and Oncology Hospital of Rio de Janeiro. J Hosp Infect 1991;18:301-6. View abstract.

Cummings JH, Macfarlane GT, Englyst HN. Prebiotic digestion and fermentation. Am J Clin Nutr 2001;73:415S-420S. View abstract.

Devi Kt R, Sivalingam N. Cichorium intybus attenuates Streptozotocin-induced pancreatic ß-cell damage by inhibiting NF-?B activation and oxidative stress. J Appl Biomed 2020;18(2-3):70-9. View abstract.

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182

Esfarjani SV, Zinatian S, Salimi M. The Effect of Consuming Chicory Juice by Breastfeeding Mothers on Neonatal Icterus. J Res Pharm Pract 2022;11(1):40-43. View abstract.

Ghaffari A, Rafraf M, Navekar R, Sepehri B, Asghari-Jafarabadi M, Ghavami SM. Turmeric and chicory seed have beneficial effects on obesity markers and lipid profile in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Int J Vitam Nutr Res 2019;89(5-6):293-302. doi: 10.1024/0300-9831/a000568. View abstract.

Stone-Dorshow T, Levitt MD. Gaseous response to ingestion of a poorly absorbed fructo-oligosaccharide sweetener. Am J Clin Nutr 1987;46:61-5. View abstract.

Street RA, Sidana J, Prinsloo G. Cichorium intybus: traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2013;2013:579319. View abstract.

Willi R, Pfab F, Huss-Marp J, et al. Contact anaphylaxis and protein contact dermatitis in a cook handling chicory leaves. Contact Dermatitis 2009;60(4):226-7. View abstract.

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
Licensed from Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Copyright © 1995-2024 by Therapeutic Research Center, LLC. All Rights Reserved.