Wild chicory root grows wild all over most of the US and it's a great time to learn to identify, harvest and prepare this herb. Wild chicory root grows to a height of about 5 feet in places that are untouched by mowers and humans. Its health benefits have to be respected by everyone. This is not an herb that is best for any certain person or gender of person like some herbs such as wild yam and wild ginger which also grows wild all over most of the US. Wild chicory can be seen growing alone roadsides and ditches and in empty undisturbed fields. It's easily noticeable by its pretty lavender colored flowers and tall stalks. It grows in bunches not just single flowers and doesn’t really have any floral scent to talk about. Its flowers have serrated edges of about five ripples each flower and two sets of flowers one inner set and one outer set each one stacked on the other. The center of the flowers has little stamens that are the same color as the flower. Although they look lavender in color they are a light blue according to most all flower family experts.

The parts of the chicory herb that you use in making most teas and medicines are the root. Although the flowers can be harvested and used in an infusion as well for a chicory tea the most popular part if the root. After digging up the chicory plant you will have to have a garden trowel to dig the root up. The roots of the chicory plant grow very deep and can be very thick. Although not real hard to cut through they will give you a work out when you go to dig them out. If you don’t dig down past the herbs root you will most likely cut yourself short on a good harvest of root. Once you feel the root start to taper off and get thinner it's a good place to cut the root and take it from the ground. You will need to cut the plant off the root and just take the root. Once you have harvested all the root you want you will need to scrub the root well to remove all the dirt and debris that might be on it and in the roots crevices. After cleaning chop the root into pieces to make roasting it quicker. You will need to roast the chicory root at the lowest temperature setting of your over for around 8 hours or until the root is very brittle.

After all the water has evaporated from the root making it very brittle you will need a coffee grinder or food processor to chop the root into a fine material that resembles coffee grounds. From here the roasted chicory root can be brewed into a dark strong tea, mixed with other teas to add a smoky chai flavor or mixed with coffee for a half coffee half herbal morning beverage. Although there are many ways to use this herb as there are all for all herbs, roasted and ground is the most popular way to use chicory root. Roasted chicory root can be bought online and in most any herbal store and in some health food stores.

The health benefits of chicory root tea are:
• Contains Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant
• Known for its ability to help prevent jaundice and an enlarged liver when mixed with water and consumed
• A natural sedative and anti-inflammatory for the nervous system
• Helps the body resist gallstones and liver stones
• Provides the soluble fiber inulin, which feeds digestive flora in the intestines
• The inulin content is not digestible, so its lack of glucose can help promote optimal blood sugar levels while also increasing stool bulk and consistency
• Aids in decreasing the levels of serum LDL cholesterol in the blood

For more information:
More on chicory root tea benefits
What is chicory and all about it