Chicory is a hot drink that is quite popular. Its taste is reminiscent of coffee. It is often used to treat diseases due to its high content of beneficial substances. Despite the healing properties, the product is recommended to be consumed wisely. Otherwise, unpleasant health consequences arise.
Chicory herb
Chicory is very beneficial for humans. Its roots in their chemical composition include chicorin, pectin, inulin, fats, essential oil, choline, vitamins, and tannins. They also contain mineral salts and many different microelements. In principle, coffee made from chicory roots can be considered a completely medicinal drink.
But it has not only benefits, chicory salad can also cause harm. With excessive daily use, it can negatively affect blood vessels.
In addition, you need to remember about the time when it is best to eat it. So, taking a small amount of it in the morning will give you an invigorating effect, and in the evening it has a calming effect on the nervous system.
Ground chicory
It stabilizes blood glucose levels, improves the functioning of the pancreas and increases cardiac activity. There is a practice of using chicory as an antimicrobial and astringent agent. In addition to these beneficial properties, chicory has anti-inflammatory, soothing, antipyretic and vasodilating effects.
Also, this healing drink will be very useful for diabetics, due to its ability to replace both sugar and starch. For various gastrointestinal diseases, chicory will also be quite useful. In addition to all these medicinal properties, it affects the human immune system. This plant can help heal wounds and eczema.
Let's sum it up
It’s not for nothing that chicory is called the herb for all ailments. It has a beneficial effect on the body as a whole, useful for both women and men. Chicory helps us strengthen the immune system, improve digestion, and remove toxins. This is a good choleretic agent, an assistant in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, a lifesaver in case of anemia, exhaustion and loss of strength. Chicory is effective for weight loss; with its help, the process of losing weight is not so painful and difficult. Chicory is a natural coffee flavoring that gives baked goods a unique nutty flavor.
Harm of chicory to the human body
People suffering from varicose veins, gastritis and hemorrhoids should use chicory with caution and should consult a doctor before introducing it into their diet. Also, due to the fact that it has a fairly strong effect on the nervous system, it is not recommended for patients who suffer from neuroses. It is also worth noting that this medicinal plant in large doses has a bad effect on a healthy person.
You can prepare chicory powder, the benefits and harms will not change
Drink chicory instead of coffee
The very fact that chicory can replace coffee makes it very useful.
The drink that is obtained from its root tastes quite similar to coffee. You can also drink it like coffee, adding sugar and milk to it. It is worth considering that regular milk makes it healthier, but if you wish, you can use soy, coconut or any other milk instead. And stevia can be used instead of the usual sugar.
Chicory is associated with coffee not only because of its taste, but also because of its invigorating effect.
In any case, before drinking it every day, you need to familiarize yourself with the contraindications.
The benefits and harms of instant chicory
Let's consider what benefits a drink made from instant chicory brings to the body.
— Has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and helps in the fight against insomnia. It has a positive effect on blood vessels and helps well in the complex treatment of diseases of the circulatory system.
— Effectively restores intestinal microflora and improves the functioning of the liver and spleen.
— Nutritionists advise taking chicory if you are overweight, but in special cases it can, on the contrary, cause appetite.
When consumed, chicory also has contraindications, which are also worth paying attention to.
1. It must be remembered that chicory is, first of all, a medicinal plant, and if you have any diseases, you should consult a doctor before using it. If there are no diseases, then you can safely drink it.
2. Even having numerous beneficial properties, chicory should not be recommended for consumption by people suffering from stomach ulcers, gastritis and duodenal ulcers.
3. If you have increased nervous excitability, it is also not recommended to drink chicory.
4. The ability of this plant to dilate blood vessels can negatively affect people suffering from hemorrhoids.
5. If you have a tendency to allergies, then you should start consuming chicory with small portions.
Cinnamon for weight loss
Here are a few recipes to help you normalize your weight.
Kefir with cinnamon for weight loss
For one glass of low-fat kefir, add 0.5 teaspoon of cinnamon and ginger, a pinch of hot pepper. This cocktail perfectly reduces hunger, and you won’t want to eat for a long time. You can drink it in the morning, or an hour after dinner. It would be better, of course, for this drink to be your dinner).
Honey and cinnamon for weight loss
A mixture of honey and cinnamon is truly a magical healing mixture and helps with many diseases, including cleansing the intestines of germs and bacteria that slow down the digestion of food. If you have extra pounds and want to lose weight, then use cinnamon.
Preparing a special drink:
Brew 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder in 1 glass of water and leave until cool. You can strain and dissolve 2 teaspoons of honey in the drink.
We prepare it in the evening and drink it the next day: half a glass in the morning, the other half in the evening, always on an empty stomach, no need to heat it.
With regular use of this magical remedy, the kilograms will certainly melt away. After the body gets used to the drink, the process will stop. It is necessary to take a break for several weeks and then repeat the course.
Chicory for diabetes
Chicory root will be very useful for people suffering from diabetes. The fact is that inulin, which occupies most of its composition, releases glucose and fructose during hydrolysis. Also, thanks to inulin, blood sugar levels decrease, and overall digestion and metabolism improves. If you drink a drink made from chicory root regularly, the body will get rid of harmful toxins, waste and heavy metals. It also removes radioactive substances from the body well. All these beneficial properties of chicory will improve the health of people with diabetes.
Before consuming chicory, it is better to consult a specialist who can determine whether there are any contraindications and in what portions its properties will be most beneficial for your body.
Use in cooking
Chicory has a delicate sweetish-bitter taste. The drink has a subtle nutty aroma and bitter coffee taste. High-proof alcohol is made from chicory, as well as fructose. Salad chicory is boiled, stewed and baked. The herb turns into a savory seasoning in salads, vegetable, fish and meat stews, soups and dough.
Veal liver with chicory
A healthy and filling snack option for lunch. The dish is especially useful for people suffering from anemia. There is everything necessary for the comprehensive replenishment of minerals and vitamins in the body. Prepares within 20 minutes.
- Veal liver –200 grams
- Chicory – 2 pieces
- Hulled pumpkin seeds – 10 grams
- Pumpkin oil – 50 ml
- Olive oil – 50 ml
- Sherry vinegar – 30 ml
- Butter – 20 grams
- Mustard – 1 teaspoon
- Green onions – 10 grams
- Wheat flour – 50 grams
- Salt and ground black pepper - to taste
Mix the chopped liver with salt, pepper and flour, fry in butter. Prepare the sauce (whisk vinegar, mustard, pumpkin and olive oil). Wash the chicory leaves well. Place the liver on them and pour the prepared sauce over them. If desired: sprinkle with finely chopped onion.
Salad with endive, ham and cheese
Thanks to chicory, mustard and pepper, the taste of the hearty salad turns out to be unusually piquant. The dish is recommended to be served with hot soup or bone broth. The salad is ready in just 15 minutes.
- Chicory – 6 pieces
- Russian cheese – 200 grams
- Boiled ham – 200 grams
- Egg yolk – 2 pieces
- Mustard – 1 tablespoon
- Olive oil – 150 ml
- Balsamic vinegar – 1 teaspoon
- Salt and ground black pepper - to taste
Cut the chicory, ham and cheese into small pieces, do not mix. Separately, beat the egg yolks, add mustard, salt, pepper, vinegar and olive oil. When serving, first add the endive, then the ham and cheese. Pour sauce over everything.
Meat on chicory leaves
The dish is ideal for lunch and dinner. Thanks to many useful ingredients, in addition to chicory, the dish saturates the body with the necessary vitamins and minerals. To prepare, take the following products:
- minced pork and beef - 250 g each;
- chicory - 1 pc.;
- ginger root - 50 g;
- onion - half;
- celery stalks - 2 pcs.;
- garlic - 1 clove;
- sunflower oil - 2 tbsp. l.;
- paprika, salt and pepper - to taste.
The cooking process is as follows:
- Peel the ginger root and grate it on a fine grater.
- Cut the onion and garlic into small cubes.
- Heat a frying pan with oil and add ginger with onions and garlic, add paprika and pepper. Fry until the onion becomes translucent.
- Chop the celery into thin strips and add it to the frying pan with the vegetables, add the minced meat.
- Add salt and mix the ingredients well.
- Fry until the minced meat is golden brown.
- Separate the chicory into individual leaves. Place on a plate and fill each with prepared minced meat.
- If desired, sprinkle grated cheese on top. Serve to the table.
Brewed malt bread with instant chicory
Bread is the head of everything, and this is not just a poetic image. A person needs it every day, never gets bored and contains almost all the substances the body needs.
The introduction of additional ingredients into the bread recipe increases the taste and nutritional value of the product. Thus, soluble chicory enriches dietary bread with proteins, vitamins, organic acids, inulin, and microelements.
Custard malt bread with instant chicory can be baked at home - in the oven or bread maker.
- First, prepare the dough: measure out 3 g of yeast (fresh), 50 g of kefir, 1 tsp. molasses, a little flour taken from the total portion.
- The brewing is done like this: a teaspoon of malt is brewed with 50 g of boiling water.
Flour (70 g rye and 330 g wheat), 200 g wheat sourdough, 4 g coriander, 3 g chicory powder, 30 g water, 60 g kefir are poured into the bread machine.
After 45 minutes, mix all the parts, add salt (2 tsp) and 5 g of mustard oil. Bake for 55 minutes. at 180 degrees. The result is a fluffy and tasty loaf.
Chicory for hypertension
1. Chicory root contains substances that can relieve vascular spasm. And this in turn reduces blood pressure.
2. Nervousness and insomnia are some of the symptoms of hypertension. So chicory has a beneficial effect on the nervous system and normalizes sleep.
3. Chicory root also contains ascorbic acid and potassium. These components have a positive effect on the heart and blood vessels and are involved in stabilizing blood pressure.
4. The ability of chicory to accelerate metabolic processes in the human body helps regulate weight.
5. Chicory root can replace a number of diuretics, since the substances in its composition can stimulate kidney function.
6. Helps strengthen the immune system.
Adviсe
— When buying chicory powder in a store, you need to pay attention to the composition indicated on the package. If any additives are indicated besides the root itself, then it is better not to purchase this product.
— You should not add sugar and milk in large quantities to the drink.
- For bronchial asthma, varicose veins, bronchitis, liver diseases, ulcers, gastritis - the use of chicory in food is prohibited.
- With excessive consumption, side effects are possible such as: abdominal pain, flatulence, increased appetite, upset stomach and sore throat if there is inflammation.
Product varieties
Typically, ground chicory root, a tall perennial plant that blooms with blue flowers, is used to prepare the drink.
The root length often reaches 1 meter. There is another variety called radicchio (or radicchio). It is used for making salads. Only red leaves are consumed. There is also white chicory (escarole). In stores you can find the whole root for making it yourself. After purchasing, you need to grind the root and use the powder to prepare an aromatic drink. But usually ready-made powder is sold in two varieties - finely dispersed and granular.
Of course, the most useful is the fresh root of the plant. When preparing the powder, manufacturers subject the plant to heat treatment. Many vitamins degrade when exposed to extreme heat. Sometimes a liquid extract is found. It is used to treat certain diseases.
Chicory during pregnancy
During pregnancy, chicory does not have any special contraindications. Everything that was said earlier about the beneficial and harmful properties of chicory also applies to pregnant women.
The only thing is that some of the healing properties of chicory root become more relevant during pregnancy. We are talking, of course, about the prevention and treatment of anemia and the general strengthening of a woman’s body.
A drink made from chicory root should not be the only source of vitamins. It is worth remembering that when heated, most of the vitamins contained in it are destroyed. Therefore, it is better to fill it with not boiling water.
In fairly rare cases, chicory drink can harm pregnant women. Especially if it is used for the first time. Before adding it to your diet, consult with specialists.
Cinnamon essential oil
There are two types of cinnamon oil based on their source: oil from the bark and oil from the leaves of the cinnamon tree. Traditionally, oil obtained from the leaves is used at home; it has a much less irritating effect on the skin, although it still occurs. Due to this, if you are making any cosmetic mixtures, add it in small quantities.
What is the reason for such an unpleasant effect on the skin and mucous membrane? The fact is that the chemical composition of cinnamon essential oil contains up to 70% of elements such as aldehydes, known for their irritating and even toxic properties. Therefore, you need to be very careful when using essential oils at home!
When purchasing, pay attention to what the oil is obtained from: if it is obtained from the bark, or there is no information, it is better not to purchase it.
These oils also differ in smell: oil from the bark has a natural smell of cinnamon, and oil from the leaves has a light clove aroma, and the price for a bottle of the former is much higher.
Cinnamon oil uses
In traditional medicine recipes in countries where cinnamon grows naturally, cinnamon oil is used for the following diseases:
- Various infections, boils, wounds, insect and snake bites;
- Diseases of the lungs and respiratory organs (bronchitis, tracheitis)
- Bones and joints (neuralgic and joint pain, rheumatism, arthritis);
- Various disorders of the digestive system (poisoning, poor digestion)
- Nervous fatigue and absent-minded attention;
- To stimulate and strengthen the immune system.
It is used in massage creams, compresses and rubbing, baths and inhalations. Just add 2-3 drops of cinnamon essential oil to the base oil (15 ml), and the medicine is ready!
This can also be used to lubricate bruises and insect bites.
Cinnamon oil is usually not used in its pure form, but in combination with mint, orange or spruce oils it is recommended to use it in aromatherapy, take baths, and do inhalations.
If you love taking a bath, here's a simple recipe.
Take 5-7 drops of cinnamon oil, dissolve in 1 tbsp. l. milk or cream (you can also use honey or bath salt) and add to warm water (37-38°C), take a bath for 15-20 minutes. Have a nice holiday!
If you have a cold, then butter will come to the rescue! Here's a very easy recipe for you:
- cinnamon - 3 drops,
- cloves and nutmeg - 2 drops each,
- honey - 2 tbsp,
- hot red wine - 1 tbsp.
We take 1 tbsp. l. every 2 hours until the condition improves.
But that’s not all I wanted to share with you, my dear readers. I really wanted to tell you how cinnamon on cold winter evenings helps me restore strength after a hard day at work.
Chicory inulin
What can be considered chicory inulin? This substance is a polymer of fructose that can be obtained from many plants, such as onions, dandelions, garlic, chicory root and others. Inulin has a very significant effect on metabolism. When it enters the gastrointestinal tract, it is broken down under the influence of hydrochloric acid and enzymes. As a result, fructose molecules and fructose chains are formed, which then penetrate the circulatory system. That part of the substances that was not subject to hydrolysis is excreted from the body, but at the same time they take cholesterol, toxins and fatty acids with them. Short fructose chains, absorbed into the blood, continue to cleanse and remove toxins from the body.
In addition, inulin has other beneficial properties:
1. Promotes the removal of harmful radionuclides and heavy metals.
2. Affects the growth of bone tissue.
3. Strengthens the human immune system, especially lymphoid tissue.
4. Improves liver condition.
