I picked one. I took it home. I asked everyone who might know and no one could tell me what this flower was. I started seeing it all over next to paved roads. Then I was told its just a weed, some kind of wild flower that probably takes over. . . SO WHAT... it's a pretty weed, let it take over.
Today, I'm scrolling through my Facebook feed and what shall I find but my unnamed wild flower weed.
Chicory.
This weed is called Chicory. Thank you Granny Goodwitch, for finally sharing my flower so I can google and learn more.
This Lil' Witchy, LOVES the GOOGLE.
Here's Granny's Post.
Now, off to the google... I have no idea if those links and references work, but here's a link to the page where they do JIC The Wikipedia
Common chicory, Cichorium intybus,[4] is a somewhat woody, perennial herbaceous plant of the dandelion family Asteraceae, usually with bright blue flowers, rarely white or pink. Many varieties are cultivated for salad leaves, chicons (blanched buds), or roots (var. sativum), which are baked, ground, and used as a coffee substitute and food additive. In the 21st century, inulin, an extract from chicory root, has been used in food manufacturing as a sweetener and source of dietary fiber.[5]
Chicory is grown as a forage crop for livestock.[6] It lives as a wild plant on roadsides in its native Europe, and is now common in North America, China, and Australia, where it has become widely naturalized.[7][8][9] "Chicory" is also the common name in the United States for curly endive (Cichorium endivia); these two closely related species are often confused.[10]
Chicory root contains essential oils similar to those found in plants in the related genus Tanacetum.[32]
In traditional medicine, chicory has been listed as one of the 38 plants used to prepare Bach flower remedies.[33] According to Cancer Research UK, "essence therapists believe that using essences can help to increase your mental, emotional and spiritual well being ... Essences are not used to prevent, control, or cure cancer or any other physical condition."[34]
On to my books. . I'm paraphrasing and adding my 2 cents... fuckin deal okay!
Use the Roots and leaves, biennial or perennial that gets 2-4 feet with stalkless flowers usually blue (in my opinion they're purple but i'm not a scientist in this book) usually found on roadsides!! OH HEY That's where I found them. Use an ounce of root in 1 pint of water as a diuretic, laxative. Folk use in jaundice, skin eruprions, fevers. Extract diuretic, cardiotonic; lowers blood sugar, slightly sedative, and mildly laxative. Historically used for liver and gallbladder. The leaf is weaker than the root.
If ya want all that medicinal crap buy the book I don't wanna give away too much.
The roasted root is widely used as a coffee substitute and/or additive
Its rare but some people can be allergic.
The Hedge Witch Herbal by Nuit Moore.
You're on your own with finding this book, its a small paper pamphlet I received in a Magick Mail (now called Inked Goddess Creations Box) so, if you really want it maybe check out www.inkedgoddesscreations.com or hit Mrs. Morgan Moss up. She's an amazing fellow witch.
Chicory Root is good for digestion, assists with liver disorders and improves liver and digestive function. it's a mild laxative.
Recognized by its flower in early spring, Chicory has a long deep taproot, in season all year. There are no poisonous look alike... Well isn't' that just awesome!
It differs from its relative the common dandelion because most of the leaves have irregular hairs on them, while the dandelion is hairless. Wild lettuce is similar, but with fibrous root.
Chicory grows in disturbed habitats, along roadsides, and in fields, throughout the USA. Young chicory tastes similar to dandelion and wild lettuce in early spring. Use Chicory the same way you'd use dandelion greens, before the mid-spring flower stalk appears, when it turns very bitter.
Oh here's something new. According to this book the flower is edible but they wilt soon after picked and aren't especially good. BUT They are plentiful, so try batter and deep frying.
Tap root is dry and bitter, but roast it in a 250* F oven for 2-4 hours until dark brown, brittle, and fragrant. then grind in a blender to make homemade, caffeine free coffee substitute. Can be used in your coffee maker just as ground coffee, it tastes like coffee but doesn't create the nervous over-excitement that coffee creates, according to folklore.
There you have it. Some days are just more interesting than others.. and if you need to poop. or you ran out of coffee... just dig up that purple flower on the side of the road.. I'm still not convinced its blue.
