Cichori intybii radix

Cichorii radix, also known as common chicory root, is a drug made from the cut and dried roots of the plant, which is used in herbal medicinal products for the treatment of dyspeptic complaints and loss of appetite.

Quality not specified in the pharmacopoeias (Ph. Eur., DAB, DAC).

HMPC - Monograph: Traditional-use: Mild digestive complaints, feeling of fullness, flatulence, delayed digestion, short-term loss of appetite
ESCOP: not processed.
Commission E-monograph: Loss of appetite, gastrointestinal complaints.

Chicory root contains intybin (sesquiterpene bitter), pentosans, inulin (up to 58%), tannins and cichoric acid (phenolic carboxylic acid).

The chicory root causes a weak stimulation of the bile flow.

According to Commission E, Cichorii radix is used in the treatment of dyspeptic complaints and loss of appetite.

Tea infusion: 2 to 4 g of finely chopped chicory root pour about 150 mL of boiling water, strain after 10 min.1 cup once a day. Daily dose 2 to 4 g of drug.

In rare cases allergic skin reactions may occur.

In case of existing allergies to chicory or to other composite plants, do not take the product. Children under 12 years, pregnancy and lactation due to lack of data.

There are no known interactions with other substances.

1. Azay-Milhau J et al.,(2013) Antihyperglycemic effect of a natural chicoric acid extract of chicory (Cichorium intybus L.): a comparative in vitro study with the effects of caffeic and ferulic acids. J Ethnopharmacol 150:755-760.
2. El-Sayed YS et al. (2015) Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) root extract regulates the oxidative status and antioxidant gene transcripts in CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity. PLoS One 10(3):e0121549.
3. Schilcher H (2016) In: Leitfaden Phytotherapie, Urban & Fischer Verlag Munich, pp. 332 f.
4. Sinkovič L et al. (2015) Phenolic profiles in leaves of chicory cultivars (Cichorium intybus L.) as influenced by organic and mineral fertilizers. Food Chem 166:507-513.
5. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/wegwarte.php.
6. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-community-herbal-monograph-cichorium-intybus-l-radix_en.pdf