Pressure and chicory. How does chicory affect blood pressure

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Sky-blue chicory flowers dazzle in summer along roads and in wastelands, they can be seen in meadows and forest edges, along the edge of fields and at the boundary. Four species of this perennial herbaceous plant are common in Russia, and up to twelve of them are known in total. Its root contains many healing substances that have a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular, digestive, endocrine, and nervous systems. The plant is a panacea for the elderly, as it lowers blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure.

Common chicory has been cultivated in Russia since the 18th century. It is cultivated in many European countries, allocating hectares of fields for the plant. It is used as a raw material for dietary products, the production of sweets and cakes, the production of coffee, tea and coffee drinks, to give products a special aroma, taste and color. What medicinal properties does this wonderful root have, how to prepare healing decoctions from it, how does chicory affectpressure and other indicators of the body?

Old medicine for headaches

The healing properties of chicory are written in ancient medical treatises. Due to the bitter substances contained in it, the plant has long been used as a means to normalize digestion. The ancient Roman healer and surgeon Galen treated their liver, Pliny in his Natural History described the plant as a panacea for sick intestines. And both mentioned how the decoction of the root relieves headaches, not knowing that this was a consequence of the normalization of blood pressure. Until recently, the plant was not associated with its effect on blood pressure, and no substances were found in the chemical composition that could cause such a reaction. But acting as a diuretic and sedative for the nervous system, increasing the amplitude and slowing down the heart rate, chicory and pressure leads to normal values. In addition, it contains vasodilating and strengthening the walls of blood vessels.

Chicory for high blood pressure

People often have a question about blood pressure: does chicory raise or lower it? In encyclopedias and reference books of medicinal plants, there is no data on this. However, its diuretic, that is, diuretic property, is noted everywhere. Already vole doctors will prescribe diuretics for hypertensive patients as a means of lowering blood pressure. With the removal of excess fluid and s alts through the kidneys, the blood pressure in the vessels decreases. Today it is one of the most effective methods.

Excess fluid increases not onlyBP, but also stress on the heart. Diuretics are also prescribed for heart failure, which is dangerous for the development of a heart attack for hypertensive patients. Chicory as a diuretic acts gently and gradually, without any side effects. In addition, chicory is used to produce drinks that replace coffee, which is contraindicated in hypertensive patients. It does not have the tonic properties of caffeine, but it provides much more benefits.

Chicory for low blood pressure

But how do the preparations of this plant affect people with low blood pressure? Chicory and its various dosage forms do not have such a strong and pronounced effect as, for example, the fruits of hawthorn, cranberries or viburnum, which contain chemical elements that contribute to a fairly rapid decrease in pressure. As a diuretic, chicory root does not adversely affect people with low blood pressure.

In this case, the recommendation of a remedy for high blood pressure does not mean its contraindications for low blood pressure. Moreover, in the encyclopedic reference books of medicinal plants edited by such specialists as academician A. M. Grodzinsky, N. I. Maznev, or professor and academician G. A. Nepokaichitsky, as well as in the “Travnik” of academician B. Bolotov, similar contraindications are not given. Therefore, chicory can be drunk both at high blood pressure and at low pressure.

Chicory for heart failure

Inflorescences of the plant contain coumarin glycoside chicoryin ("Encyclopedia of Medicinalplants "A. M. Grodzinsky), which belongs to the group of cardiac glycosides of plant origin. These compounds act in heart failure by normalizing heart sounds and rhythm. This leads to an increase in myocardial activity and a uniform contraction of the heart muscle, which ensures a more efficient and economical operation of the heart.

The dietary fiber inulin was also found in the leaves and root of the plant. This polysaccharide in the raw root contains up to 23%, in dried - up to 68%. Inulin not only promotes better digestion, it also increases the tone of the walls of blood vessels, slows down the rhythm, increasing the amplitude of heart contractions. This property of chicory at high pressure and especially low pressure has a beneficial effect on the state of the body as a whole. How does this affect your well-being? Headaches, dizziness, pulsation in the temples, darkening before the eyes gradually disappear. In addition, an infusion of inflorescences has a calming effect on the central nervous system, which contributes to restful sleep, and this is especially important for hypertensive patients.

Chicory for the elderly

Can chicory be harmful to he alth after 50 years? Yes, if you use it without measure. But for elderly people, all dosage forms of this plant will be much more effective than for a young organism. The use of chicory lowers the amount of sugar in the urine. It affects the hypoglycemic effect of the plant, which reduces the level of glucose in the blood, therefore it is recommended for mild forms of diabetes.

About the benefitsof this plant for the elderly say other properties. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants by N. I. Maznev says that chicory is taken:

• with inflammation of the gastric mucosa;
• for diseases of the large and small intestines, gallbladder, liver and kidneys;
• for urolithiasis and cholelithiasis;
• from edema of cardiac origin;
• as a general tonic.

Academician A. M. Grodzinsky recommends a decoction of chicory herb for cholecystitis, as it stimulates the separation of bile, and the root is useful for gastritis, colitis, enteritis. With age, physiological changes occur, due to which the secretion of saliva and cells of the digestive glands decreases, the secretion of bile and hydrochloric acid is disturbed, the secretory function and motility of the stomach decrease, and the intestinal microflora changes. As a result, the absorption of fats, proteins, carbohydrates is disturbed. Given these and other features of old age, the chemical composition of chicory will be especially useful for stimulating and improving the digestive system for people over 50 years old. Moreover, chicory and pressure normalizes and activates metabolic processes, and favors the work of the heart.

The effect of chicory on the immune system and intestinal microflora

The root of the plant has another valuable property. Inulin, which is so rich in chicory, acts as a prebiotic, that is, it stimulates the vital activity and growth of microflora (lacto- and bifidobacteria) in the large intestine. Theselactic acid microorganisms needed:

• for the normal functioning of the digestive system and the absorption of nutrients;
• they take part in the synthesis of vitamins PP, group B, K;
• suppress putrefactive and potentially harmful bacteria;
• promote the immune system.

The stomach and upper intestines do not process and absorb inulin, therefore, getting into the large intestine, it undergoes fermentation by microflora and becomes a favorable environment for its vital activity and growth. This is the most important factor for people who are elderly or debilitated by a long illness, after taking a course of antibiotics. In these cases, the content of lactic acid bacteria decreases and microorganisms of the putrefactive group develop, releasing endotoxins. As a result, not only digestion suffers, but immunity also decreases, which eventually leads to serious disorders and diseases.

Natural crushed chicory

Now on sale you can find many options for chicory products for making drinks. It is a crushed and roasted root, often combined with barley and/or oat root. Such a product will be useful for the digestive system, heart function, and is recommended as a choleretic and diuretic, and therefore lowering blood pressure. Sometimes ground coffee beans are present in such dry mixes. Such drinks are fragrant and pleasant to the taste.

Instant and Condensed Chicory

Another form of release - a soluble product thatis a powder or granules of the dried aqueous extract obtained from the roasted roots of the plant. Sublimated chicory is a finely crushed solid mass obtained from a root extract frozen and dehydrated under vacuum. Condensed chicory is a thick, dark brown, fragrant mass of partially dehydrated root extract, readily soluble in hot water. Nowhere was it possible to find reliable data on the dangers and contraindications of soluble chicory. It largely retains healing properties, although their effect is much weaker. In addition, such drinks are less pleasant than decoctions of roasted crushed roots.

Preparation and application of root decoctions

Chicory, crushed and roasted, was brewed and drunk instead of natural coffee when it was not possible to buy it. This was during the years of war, crisis or global shortages, both in our country and in Western countries. And to lower blood pressure, kvass was made from chicory at home. Chicory still remains a fairly popular drink that does not require a special norm, but which should not be abused, just like tea and coffee. However, the "herbalists" indicate dosages for the preparation and use of drugs, which are given here.

Decoction of dried or roasted chicory root at high blood pressure, mild forms of diabetes, to normalize digestion, as a choleretic and diuretic according to N. I. Maznev:

Brew one glass of boiling water dining rooma spoonful of crushed raw materials, heat over low heat for 20 minutes, strain. Drink one tbsp. l. 5-6 times daily or no dosage as tea.

Recipe for the same purposes according to A. M. Grodzinsky:

One tablespoon of the roots pour 0.5 liters of boiling water and simmer for 10 minutes over low heat, take half a glass four times a day before meals.

Decoctions of leaves and inflorescences

As a choleretic recommended decoction of chicory herb, which is also useful for kidney diseases. Infusion of inflorescences increases the amplitude and slows down the rhythms of the heart, has a calming effect on the nervous system. N. I. Maznev offers the following recipe:

Pour 40 g of herbs or inflorescences with one liter of boiling water, leave warm for three hours, strain. Drink 0.5 cups three times a day.

If instead of inflorescences the whole plant is used as a raw material, then the decoction perfectly removes excess bile in jaundice, is used for cirrhosis of the liver, to cleanse the spleen, clogged stomach, pain in the gastrointestinal tract.

Procurement of raw materials

Chicory can be prepared independently. The tops of the stems about 30 cm long are cut off from the grass during flowering. The raw materials are dried by spreading a thin layer in the open air in the shade or in a well-ventilated room, or in a dryer at a temperature not exceeding 40 degrees.

The roots are dug up in the fall, cleaned from the ground, washed with cold water, stems removed. The roots are cut lengthwise and across, dried in the open air or in a dryer at a temperature notexceeding 50 degrees. Raw materials are well stored in dry cool ventilated rooms.

Chicory kvass

In addition to healing decoctions and a coffee substitute, kvass is made from chicory at home. Almost all common variations come down to the same ingredients: water, instant chicory, fresh or dry yeast, sugar, citric acid, or lemon juice. However, a truly tasty, he althy and invigorating drink is prepared on the basis of kvass from rye bread. In your favorite recipe, you just need to add the only component - soluble chicory. It is added based on the calculation: two tablespoons of powder or one condensed chicory per five liters of warm boiled water. All other elements and the cooking sequence correspond to your favorite bread kvass recipe.

Appetizing chicory

What can be cooked from chicory? In food, the plant is used as an ordinary root crop, and its young leaves are a spicy and very successful addition to butter, cheeses, sauces, salads, meat, omelettes, side dishes. For this purpose, various varieties of lettuce or leafy plants are cultivated in a number of countries. There is a variety with red leaves, young shoots of asparagus chicory really resemble this plant, and there are also sugar, bitter, green varieties. But in some regions of the Mediterranean, wild chicory is preferred precisely because it has more bitterness than salad. If the leaves of the plant are kept in a weak s alt solution for 20 minutes, this will significantly reduce the bitter taste.

The root can be added raw to ready meals, it is alsofried, after which it becomes sweetish, stewed together with other vegetables and meat. All that remains is not only to enjoy the wonderful taste sensations, but also to get great benefits from food.