Chicory Seed

Many gardeners plant chicory seed in their gardens these days, owing to the electric blue flowers and essential health benefits that these seeds offer. Read on, and know more...

Common chicory, which is scientifically known as Cichorium intybus is basically a perennial herbaceous shrub, native to England and cultivated throughout Australia, Europe and North America. This bushy plant is known by many other names like succory, coffee weed, endive, blue sailors and blue dandelion. There are numerous varieties of chicory seeds that are cultivated for numerous purposes. Some varieties of chicory are cultivated for their leaves, while some are cultivated for their roots. Chicory seed, chicory root and chicory leaves have medicinal properties and hence, chicory is a widely cultivated plant.

Chicory Seed Information

Chicory seeds grow best, when they are planted in well-drained or moderately drained soil, with pH more than 5.5. Chicory seed germinates within 7 to 21 days. Chicory is drought tolerant due to its strong taproots and they grow to the total height up to 4 feet. Normal bloom time of chicory is around mid to late summer and spring season. Chicory seeds are planted on pre-made soil beds, during late spring season for healthier growth of this shrub. Chicory is a potentially invasive herb and hence, if you are not using it for forage, then controlling its growth is really essential.

Chicory is widely used for various culinary and medicinal properties. To gain various benefits of chicory seeds, you should not let the chicory seedlings to go to seed and collect them in advance. Chicory seed germination and plant growth is a relatively long process, and if you are not a gardening hobbyist and need chicory to prepare various delectable chicory recipes, then you need to directly bring home chicory leaves or roots that are easily available on the market. Similarly, you can find chicory seed packets on the market, that can be used for seeding, as well as direct usage.

Chicory seeds contain bland oil and it is a powerful herbal medicine with diuretic, tonic and laxative properties. The most popular way of using chicory seeds is by using their decoction or extracts for various health conditions like, rheumatic pain, jaundice and gout. Chicory seeds are also effective for treating various liver disorders. It is suggested that you can use 30 ml to 60 ml chicory seed decoction three times a day for various medical conditions like sluggishness, torpidity, bile stoppage, obstructed menstruation, enlarged spleen, etc.

Before learning more about chicory seed side effects, you also need to be aware about the chicory root side effects. These side effects of chicory are observed with addictive consumption of food products that include chicory root. For instance, chicory root tea and chicory coffee. Not all, but some chicory root side effects like skin allergies are often observed by people who are allergic to seeds. A lab study of chicory seed extract on female rats suggested that consumption of chicory seedlings can cause prophylactic effects.

Due to all these reasons, it is often suggested that people who are allergic to seeds and those who are suffering with gallstones or gallbladder diseases, should consult their health care providers, prior to consuming chicory seed extract. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should also refer to their health care provider, before consuming chicory seeds. However, the above mentioned are only the possible side effects of chicory seeds, and some of you might not experience any side effects at all!

Well, this is where I conclude this article about chicory seed. I hope the information was found useful enough! Take care!