This beautiful plant with its lively lilac purple flowers is widely applicable. Chicory, Cichorium intybus, can be used for medicinal and magical purposes and is also edible. Its domesticated siblings, endive and the delicately white Belgian endive, are widely used as vegetables.. But this wild plant is just as edible and more nutritious. I love the bitter taste, especially with bits of apple and roasted walnuts, the lot sprinkled with some olive oil. You can even make a tasty substitute coffee with it.
Medicinally, chicory works mainly against digestive disorders, helps the kidneys and detoxification related disorders. Given the importance of these bodily functions, it can therefore have a major impact on your well-being. But it also has an effect on the nervous system and helps against hypochondria and nervousness. Do you lack energy? Make sure you befriend this plant and you’ll feel better soon.
Magically, this plant is a very useful ally during the more suspenseful moments in life, for example during conflict, if you don’t want to be too visible and stay safe. And if you end up getting noticed, chicory helps you make a positive impression on the right people, often resulting in prosperity.
Chicory stands on a large, fleshy taproot, which tastes bitter. The green, puberulous stem, which is widely branched, grows from the root. At the bottom of the stem you will find a radical leaf rosette, with runcinate leaves – like the dandelion. The leaves higher up are small and grow directly onto the stem. In the leaf axil we find the lilac purple or light blue flowers with ray florets, serrated at the end. In the centre you will find blue or purple stamens. The flowers are only open when it is dry and only for part of the day. They are heat-loving and seek the sun.
Chicory is also eaten as a vegetable by covering up the leaves.
The ground flowers of chicory fasten up the composting process.
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