According to traditional folklore, long-term use of chicory as a coffee substitute may damage human retinal tissue, with dimming of vision over time and other long term effects.^[9] Modern scientific literature contains little or no evidence to support or refute this claim.

Root chicory contains volatile oils similar to those found in plants in the related genus Tanacetum which includes Tansy, and is likewise effective at eliminating intestinal worms. All parts of the plant contain these volatile oils, with the majority of the toxic components concentrated in the plant's root. ^[10]

Chicory is well known for its toxicity to internal parasites. Studies indicate that ingestion of chicory by farm animals results in reduction of worm burdens,^{[11] [12] [13]} which has prompted its widespread use as a forage supplement. There are only a few major companies active in research, development, and production of chicory varieties and selections. Most of them are in New Zealand. Chicory root extract is high in inulin, and used as a high-fiber dietary supplement.

1. ^ A Modern Herbal. New York: Dover Publications. 1931fs. ISBN 0486227987 & 0486227995. 
2. ^ Edible and Medicinal Plants of the West, Gregory L. Tilford, ISBN 0-87842-359-1
3. ^ "Individual administration of three tanniferous forage plants to lambs artificially infected with Haemonchus contortus and Cooperia curticei.". Vet Parasitol. 146 (1-2): 123–34. 2007-05-15. doi:10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.01.009. PMID : 17336459. 
4. ^ "The use of chicory for parasite control in organic ewes and their lambs.". Parasitology. 134 (Pt 2): 299–307. February 2007. doi:10.1017/S0031182006001363. PMID : 17032469. 
5. ^ "The effect of chicory ( Cichorium intybus ) and sulla ( Hedysarum coronarium ) on larval development and mucosal cell responses of growing lambs challenged with Teladorsagia circumcincta.". Parasitology. 132 (Pt 3): 419–26. March 2006. doi:10.1017/S0031182005009194. PMID : 16332288.

From: Jasper Lawrence <jascallaw@...>
Subject: [helminthictherapy] Re: Chicory and lettuces, and intestinal worms
To: helminthictherapy@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, July 5, 2009, 11:19 PM

I very much doubt it.

If any common or even uncommon herb or food had true anti-helminthic properties it would have been recognized and promoted as such long ago, and the invention of anti-helminthic drugs like Ablendazole, which only came along as the first in the mid 50's, would not have necessary.

Chicory is widely eaten, and yet people all over the world still have worms. Ditto for lettuce.

I don't think you have anything to worry about, unless perhaps you are planning on eating five pounds of it at one sitting or something.

The same principle applies to anything you might ordinarily eat. The exceptions might be in unusually concentrated forms, or extracts, or traditional herbal remedies.

But a food, I don't think so.

Jasper

--- In helminthictherapy@ yahoogroups. com, Marya DeBlasi <marya_deblasi@ ...> wrote:
>
> I have long heard that lettuces were calming to the intestines, so I thought that they would be good for me to eat. Someone today, however, told me that chicory was toxic to parasitic intestinal worms. Should I be avoiding chicory? How about the other bitter lettuces, dandelion et c.?
> Marya
>