Endive, Cichorium endivia, is also known as curly endive and escarole. There is considerable confusion between this plant and chicory, which is closely related. In France, curly endive (there is also a plain-leaved variety) is called chicorée frisée, and US grocery stores also generally call it chicory. To add to the confusion, the plants called Belgian endive, French endive and red endive in the US are all varieties of chicory. Take my advice, and where medicinal use is involved, stick to the Latin name, so you know exactly which plant you are dealing with.

If you decide to grow both, you will need to label them, because they look very similar when in flower. If growing both to the flowering stage, you will not be able to use seeds for propagation, as the results will almost certainly be hybrids, and the properties may be entirely different.

Endive is a hardy biennial and reaches a height of around 3 feet when in flower. It can grow in any moist, well drained soil, even very alkaline soil. It requires full sun or partial shade.

Endive is often added to the salad bowl, and for this purpose is best blanched by excluding light from the plant for a couple of weeks before cutting. The blanching process reduces the bitterness, but also results in lower nutrition levels.

Medicinally, the parts used are the root and the seeds. Make a decoction of chopped root or crushed seeds using 30g (1 ounce) of herb. Put this in a small pan and add 570ml (2.5 US cups, 1 UK pint) of cold water. Bring to a boil and then turn down to simmer until the liquid has reduced by half. Strain and cool before use. The dose is 75ml (1/3 US cup, 3 fl oz) up to 3 times a day.

The root decoction can be used as a liver tonic and the seed decoction can be used to treat headache, fevers and nausea.

As with all plants grown for remedial use, endive must be grown organically to ensure that the active constituents are not changed or eliminated by the presence of foreign chemicals. To find out more about growing organic endive visit the Gardenzone.

Related Posts

1. Alpine Calamint
2. Summer Savory
3. Winter Savory

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.