Constipation

Eastern Deciduous Forest

Common Name: Chicory

Genus and Species 

Name: Cichorium intybus

Habitat: Wastelands, pastures, and fields.

Seasons: The root is available year-round (perennial). 

Medicinal uses: A tea can be made from the chicory root to be used as a mild laxative.   

Preparation: The roots are dug up and dried. Then they are roasted (over a fire) and ground into a powder. The ground chicory is added to boiled water to steep 5-8 minutes. Strain and cool the tea before drinking.

Active Chemical Ingredient: inulin

Chemical Formula: C_6nH_10n+2O_5n+1

Chemical Structure:

Resources:

(n.d.). Retrieved September 10, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inulin
Chicory (Blue Sailors). (n.d.). Retrieved September 10, 2015, from http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/chicory-blue-sailors
Cichorium intybus - Natural medicine facts. (n.d.). Retrieved September 10, 2015, from http://www.naturalmedicinefacts.info/plant/cichorium-intybus.html
The Many Chicory Root Side Effects and Benefits | NaturalAlternativeRemedy. (2013, August 14). Retrieved September 10, 2015, from http://www.naturalalternativeremedy.com/the-many-chicory-root-side-effects-and-benefits/
How to Make Chicory Coffee from Scratch. (n.d.). Retrieved September 10, 2015, from http://honest-food.net/2009/06/05/because-i-can-vol-2-chicory-coffee/
Chicory (Blue Sailors). (n.d.). Retrieved September 10, 2015, from http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/chicory-blue-sailors

 Tall Grass Prairie

Common Name: Dandelion

Genus and Species Name: Taraxacum officinale 

Habitat: Lawns, fields, meadows and roadsides

Seasons: January- December

Medicinal uses: Brew a dandelion tea using the roots to help with constipation.

Preparation: Take 1 tsp. of dried dandelion roots and let them steep in boiled water. Drink 3 cups a day of dandelion tea to stop constipation.

Active Chemical Ingredient: inulin

Chemical Formula: C_6nH_10n+2O_5n+1

Chemical Structure:

Resources:

Taraxacum officinale - Natural medicine facts. (n.d.). Retrieved September 7, 2015, from http://www.naturalmedicinefacts.info/plant/taraxacum-officinale.html
Top 10 Home Remedies for the Cure of Constipation. (n.d.). Retrieved September 7, 2015, from http://www.peashealth.com/top-10-home-remedies-for-the-cure-of-constipation/
(n.d.). Retrieved September 7, 2015, from http://mdc.mo.gov/sites/default/files/resources/2010/09/15897.pdf
Herbs to Improve Digestion | Medicine Hunter. (n.d.). Retrieved September 7, 2015, from http://www.medicinehunter.com/herbs-improve-digestion
(n.d.). Retrieved September 7, 2015, from http://www.longwoodherbal.org/dandelion/dandelion.pdf
http://www.naturalalternativeremedy.com/the-many-chicory-root-side-effects-and-benefits/
(n.d.). Retrieved September 7, 2015, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inulin