Chicory is pleasantly (and unusually) bitter in flavour. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine this bitter cooling nature both fortifies the Heart Qi and Blood, and helps to clear Damp-Heat from the Liver, perhaps making it the perfect vegetable for countering post-Christmas blues and overindulgence. High in folate, and several vitamins, its use as a Blood tonic is well deserved.
Seeds are good for a lot more than filling your bird feeder and giving your gerbil a treat. With a little work, these little storehouses of goodness can be tasty too.
According to Chinese Medicine theory, they have a dense, heavy nature – lots of potential in a tiny package – and strengthen our energy (qi) and in some cases our reserves (Jing). This is the energetic equivalent of having money put not only into your current account, but into your Continue reading