The witloof chicory is a source of fibre, iron and potassium. Research shows that the consumption of fibre helps to protect against multiple disorders of the alimentary canal, like intestine cancer. Potassium has an important role in the metabolism of the energy and the development of healthy cardiac functions.

Apart from the roasted roots of the witloof chicory, one can use the flowers and the leaves. It is considered to be a slightly laxative, depurative, diuretic, choleretic (it sets the bile production going), stomachic, tonic and appetitive, diaphoretic vegetable.

It is recommended to treat hepatic failures and disorders, urine retention, constipation, slow digestion, intestinal parasites or worms. Its external use is also a very good remedy to treat several skin diseases.

This plant is also used as a coffee substitute, thus avoiding the disadvantages of consuming coffee and, at the same time, supplying the organism with minerals.

All these uses are traditionally conferred to chicory, that is for many authors the same plant.