CHICORY. Cichorium inlybus. N.O. Compositae.
Synonym : Succory.
Habitat : Waysides, field borders, waste land.
Features : Stem grows to three feet, upstanding, rigid, tough, many branches at obtuse angles. Lower leaves large, margins coarsely notched, projecting lobes ; upper, small, sessile, less divided. Flowers, delicate greyish-blue, many strap-like petals, stalkless, two or three together between leaves and stem. Root brownish : reticulated white layers surround radiate, woody column.
Part used : Root.
Action : Hepatic, laxative, diuretic.
Jaundice and other liver disorders, gout and rheumatism. This root, when roasted and ground, is mixed with coffee, to the benefit of drinkers of that beverage.
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