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ENDIVE CICHORIUM ENDIVIA For faintings, swoonings, and the passions of the heart. A well-known plant which is used as a vegetable. It bears a longer and larger leaf than Succory (Cichorium intybus), but it has similar blue flowers. Where to find it: It is cultivated in gardens in the West, having originated in Asia. Succory or Wild Chicory is found growing on light, sandy soils, waste land, open borders of ficids, and roadsides. Flowering time: Midsummer to early autumn. Astrology: It is a herb of Jupiter. Medicinal virtues: A fine, cooling, cleansing plant. The decoction of the leaves, or the juice, or the distilled water of Endive cools the excessive heat of the liver and stomach, and other inflammations. It cools the heat and sharpness of the urine and excoriations. The seeds are rather more powerful. Outwardly applied they serve to temper the sharp humours of fretting ulcers, hot tumours and swellings and pestilential sores. They greatly assist redness and inflammation of the eyes, dimness of the sight and pains of the gout. Modern uses: The cultivated Endive is not regarded as being of much therapeutic value and the Wild Chicory is preferred. It is, however, a useful salad food. See Succory. |