Kasani
Cichorium intybus L.
Kasani (Cichorium intybus L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Asteraceae (Compositae) family. WHO monograph exists for Cichorium intybus; recognized in European Pharmacopoeia; documented in Ayurvedic and Unani Pharmacopoeias of India.
| Botanical name | Cichorium intybus L. |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae (Compositae) · other entries in this family |
| Order | Asterales |
| Pharmacopoeia status | WHO monograph exists for Cichorium intybus; recognized in European Pharmacopoeia; documented in Ayurvedic and Unani Pharmacopoeias of India |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 5392252 · Wikidata Q2544599 · NCBI Taxonomy 13427 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Kasani |
| Latin/Botanical | Cichorium intybus L. |
Key Phytochemical Constituents
- Inulin (up to 60%)
- Lactucin (sesquiterpene lactone)
- Lactucopicrin
- Cichoriin (coumarin glycoside)
- Chicoric acid (caffeic acid derivative)
- Esculetin
- Chlorogenic acid
- Kaempferol
How does it work?
- Hepatoprotective: Chicoric acid and esculetin reduce hepatic oxidative stress, inhibit NF-kB activation, and promote hepatocyte regeneration; lactucopicrin provides cytoprotection
- Prebiotic: Inulin (fructo-oligosaccharide) selectively promotes growth of beneficial Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus species in the gut microbiome
- Antidiabetic: Chlorogenic acid and chicoric acid inhibit hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase and enhance peripheral insulin sensitivity
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
- Hepatoprotective use (Yakrit-Shodhaka) validated through clinical and preclinical studies showing reduction of liver enzymes and hepatocyte regeneration
- Digestive and prebiotic use confirmed by enhancement of beneficial gut microbiota (Bifidobacteria) through inulin fermentation
- Antidiabetic use supported by clinical evidence of improved glycemic control and insulin sensitivity
What do recent clinical trials show?
- Aisa HA, Xin XL, Tang D 2020. Chemical constituents and their pharmacological activities of plants from Cichorium genus. Chinese herbal medicines. PMID 36119016 · doi:10.1016/j.chmed.2020.05.001
Identified over 100 individual compounds from the plant; majority from roots; documented sesquiterpene lactones as key bioactive anti-inflammatory and anticancer agents.
2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.
Recent safety updates
- Generally recognized as safe (GRAS) as a food; widely consumed as coffee substitute; mild allergic reactions possible in individuals sensitive to Asteraceae family plants
- High inulin content may cause bloating and flatulence in sensitive individuals; caution in patients with gallstones (chicory may stimulate bile production); limited data in pregnancy
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Swarasa (fresh juice), Churna (powder), Kashayam (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Satva (starch extract)
Standard Dosage: 10-20 mL fresh juice twice daily; 3-5 g powder; 50-100 mL decoction; 500 mg capsule twice daily
Bioavailability: Chicoric acid and lactucin sesquiterpene lactones show moderate oral bioavailability (25-35%). Inulin (prebiotic fiber, 15-20% in root) is not absorbed but modulates gut microbiome favorably. Chlorogenic acid bioavailability ~33% with significant colonic metabolism. Co-administration with piperine enhances phenolic acid absorption. Phytosome formulation of chicoric acid improves bioavailability 2.5-fold.
Optimal Timing: Before meals for hepatoprotective and digestive benefits; root decoction as coffee substitute in the morning; prebiotic (inulin) preparations between meals
Standardized Extract: Root extract standardized to minimum 15% inulin and 2% total sesquiterpene lactones (as lactucin); leaf extract to minimum 3% chicoric acid by HPLC
Shelf Life: 24 hours for fresh juice; 18 months for dried root powder; 24 months for capsules; 36 months for roasted root (coffee substitute)
Storage: Fresh juice and roots require refrigeration (2-8°C). Dried preparations in airtight containers at 15-30°C. Inulin-rich preparations are hygroscopic — moisture protection essential.
Marker Compounds: Chicoric acid, Chlorogenic acid, Lactucin, Lactucopicrin, 8-Deoxylactucin, Inulin, Esculetin, Caffeic acid
Extraction Methods
- Cold pressing of fresh leaves and roots
- Hot water extraction for inulin-rich fraction
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60% ethanol) for sesquiterpene lactones
- Roasting of roots (150-180°C) for coffee substitute preparation
- Spray drying for instant powder
Synergistic Combinations
- Bhumyamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri) for hepatoprotective synergy
- Kutki for liver disorders
- Punarnava for hepatorenal protection
- Guduchi for comprehensive liver support
- Yashtimadhu for gastroprotective combination
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Other clinical studies and reviews8
- 2023. Health Benefits of Key Constituents in Cichorium intybus LNutrients. PMID 36986053 · doi:10.3390/nu15061322
- 2022. Overview of Witloof Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) Discolorations and Their Underlying Physiological and Biochemical CausesFrontiers in plant science. PMID 35283895 · doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.843004
- 2021. Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) as a food ingredient - Nutritional composition, bioactivity, safety, and health claims: A reviewFood chemistry. PMID 32768902 · doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127676
- 2020. Chemical constituents and their pharmacological activities of plants from Cichorium genusChinese herbal medicines. PMID 36119016 · doi:10.1016/j.chmed.2020.05.001
- 2019. Cytotoxicity of Cichorium intybus L. metabolites (Review)Oncology reports. PMID 31578592 · doi:10.3892/or.2019.7336
- 2018. Antiparasitic activity of chicory (Cichorium intybus) and its natural bioactive compounds in livestock: a reviewParasites & vectors. PMID 30134991 · doi:10.1186/s13071-018-3012-4
- 2017. Chemical Composition and Nutritive Benefits of Chicory (Cichorium intybus) as an Ideal Complementary and/or Alternative Livestock Feed SupplementTheScientificWorldJournal. PMID 29387778 · doi:10.1155/2017/7343928
- 2013. Cichorium intybus: Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and ToxicologyEvidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM. PMID 24379887 · doi:10.1155/2013/579319
Laboratory and animal studies4
- 2025. Investigation of Pharmacological Mechanisms and Active Ingredients of Cichorium intybus L. in Alleviating Renal Urate Deposition via lncRNA H19/miR-21-3p Regulation to Enhance ABCG2 ExpressionInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 40869211 · doi:10.3390/ijms26167892
- 2025. Influence of Gut Microbiota-Derived Butyrate on Intestinal Uric Acid Excretion and Hyperuricemia Regulation by Cichorium intybus LInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 40650188 · doi:10.3390/ijms26136413
- 2024. Effects of Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) Extract on Male Rat Reproductive System, Pregnancy and Offspring DevelopmentPharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 38931367 · doi:10.3390/ph17060700
- 2022. RootPainter: deep learning segmentation of biological images with corrective annotationThe New phytologist. PMID 35851958 · doi:10.1111/nph.18387
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