554. Cichorium intybus.—Chicory.
554. CICHORIUM.—CHICORY. The root of Cichor'ium in'tybus Linné. Habitat: Europe; naturalized in the United States. Nearly cylindrical, resembling dandelion, but lighter in color, more woody, with a thinner bark, and with the laticiferous vessels of the woody column and the bark arranged radially; very bitter. It contains inulin and a bitter principle. Bitter tonic in doses of 15 to 60. gr. (1 to 4 Gm.), in decoction. Its greatest demand is as an adulterant of coffee. It should be stated, however, that roasted chicory has become a favorite in many parts as a coffee substitute. The cultivation of the plant for this purpose and as a forage plant has grown to be a permanent agricultural industry in nearly every country of Europe and in many parts of the United States.
