Health benefits of kasini (Cichorium Intybus): A View

Health benefits of kasini (Cichorium Intybus)

 Botanical Name : Cichorium Intybus

Family Name : Asteraceae

Common Name : Chicory, Kasini, Endive, Succory.

Part Used : Kasini Flowers

Habitat : Cultivated through out india.

Product offered : Seeds

 Description: Kasini (Cichorium intybus) is a herb and root that has been known for its curative benefits since the first century A.D. It is a member of the Asteraceae family. The genus Cichorium contains eight or nine species, all native to Eurasia. The words Kasini, chicory, succory, Cichorium, and intybus are all derived from Greek or Latin names for the herb. A scraggly plant with blue flower heads, kasini flourishes in the wild, as well as in gardens all over the world. It may be found in Europe, the Near East, northern and southern Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and North and South America.The dried leaves and roots of the Kasini plant are collected in autumn for medicinal purposes. When flowering, the whole plant is collected and dried. With a height that may reach up to 5 ft (1.5 m), kasini can be recognized by its oblong leaves that resemble a crosscut saw or slit, with numerous stiff hairs on the underside. Kasini, whose common names include succory, Kasini  root, Kasini herb, blue sailors, wild kasini, or hendibeh, is well known for its bitter taste and use as a coffee substitute.

 Preparations: While the medicinal uses of kasini are numerous, the plant is often used as a food additive, as a flavoring agent, and in meals. Wild and cultivated kasini leaves may be added to salads or sautéed and served alone. Moreover, the roasted and ground root of the plant is a common addition to coffee in Europe and in the United States.Studies have shown that kasini complements coffee when it is used as a supplement due to its lactucin and lactucopicrin. These two substances are responsible for the bitter taste of kasini, and may serve to counteract the stimulating effects of caffeine. kasini by itself actually has a sedative action on the central nervous system.

 kasini is available over the counter in bulk as green leaves and dried roots. To prepare the herb as a tea, also known as an infusion, for home use: steep 1 tsp (5 ml) rootstock or dried herb with 0.5 cup (4 fl oz) water and strain after 10 minutes. To treat jaundice, spleen problems, gallstones, or gastritis, drink 8-12 oz (225-350 ml) of kasini tea per day. As a dietary supplement, 1 tsp (5 ml) of juice from kasini stems may be squeezed by hand and taken in milk or water three times a day.

 Uses & Benefits:

The ancient Greek/Egyptians ate large amounts of kasini because it was believed that the plant could purify the blood and liver, while others have relied on the herb for its power to cure "passions of the heart." Kasini  continues to be a popular herbal remedy due to its healing effects on several ailments. Kasini is taken internally for the following disorders.

• jaundice
• spleen problems
• gallstones
• rheumatism
• gout
• loss of appetite
• Bruised leaves of kasini are often used for the treatment of inflammations and can be applied over swellings. They are also used for the treatment of headaches and provide relief from arthritic pains and swellings.
• Kasini has demonstrated antihepatotoxic potential in animal studies.
• Regular and frequent use of kasini roots, in the form of liver tonic, is found to be beneficial for women suffering from premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It helps by maintaining a balance in the hormone level of the body and alleviating the symptoms associated with the condition.
• Consumption of the herb, as a "bitter" salad consisting of sorrel, kasini and dandelion, helps to improve the liver functions and is believed to discourage the growth of Candida.
• One of the major functions of kasini is to increase the body's ability to absorb calcium. This mineral is very essential to maintain strong teeth and healthy skeletal system.
• Root extracts have been used as a diuretic and laxative, and to treat fevers and jaundice. The second-century physician Galen called Kasini a "friend of the liver", and it has since been shown to increase the flow of bile, which could be helpful in cases of gallstones.
• Two fibers, raftilin inulin and raftilose oligofructose, present in the herb are fermented by the bacteria in the large intestine, increasing the body's ability to absorb calcium and certain other minerals.
• Therapeutically, the herb is very important for the proper functioning of the urinary system, as it helps to detoxify and cleanse the urinary tract.
• Certain herbal remedies containing kasini are also available for treating disorders like gout and rheumatic pains.
• The herb is also used as a mild laxative agent and helps to treat children affected by constipation and other digestive conditions.
• Supplements of kasini, when taken in the diet, also aid in the proper metabolism of cholesterol in the body.
• Apart from the effects mentioned above, the herb is also taken internally, for loss of appetite, jaundice, gallstones, gout, and rheumatism.
• Kasini root contains volatile oils similar to those found in plants in the related genus Tanacetum which includes Tansy, and is similarly effective at eliminating intestinal worms. All parts of the plant contain these volatile oils, with the majority of the toxic components concentrated in the plant's root.
• Kasini (especially the flower) was used as a treatment in Germany, and is recorded in many books as an ancient German treatment for everyday ailments. It is variously used as a tonic and as a treatment for gallstones, gastro-enteritis, sinus problems and cuts and bruises.

 Side effects:There are no known health hazards or side effects when chicory is added to the diet. The only possible minor side effect is skin irritation. If the hands become irritated after handling chicory, it is best to cover them with gloves and treat the affected area as needed.