Cichorium intybus: A bitter herb with remarkable therapeutic benefits

Abstract

The utilization of medicinal herbs for the treatment of common diseases is an ancient tradition. The plant Cichorium intybus (Asteraceae) is used traditionally in India as well as in different parts of the world. It is potentially used in the healing of a wide levels of ailments namely enteric sickness, diabetes, haemorrhoids, malaria, allergies, digestive disorders, and many more. C. intybus has been reported to be a reservoir of many bioactive constituents of therapeutic properties such as coumarins, esculin, inulin, flavonoids, bitter sesquiterpene lactones, and vitamins. Although the plant is used extensively in folklore medicine in different parts of the world, there is a limited investigation on the scientific validation of the phytochemical constituents. This review aims at providing collective information on various potential pharmacological activities along with the traditional uses and phytochemical composition of C. intybus.