In short
Cichorium intybus, planta tota REC., ethanol. EXTR. 1:2,3 (chicory) is a herbal substance of plant origin. It is currently being studied in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in one authorised Phase 3 clinical trial with 106 participants. The trial compares Amara-Tropfen, a liquid dilution containing the substance, against placebo given by mouth.
Key points
- One authorised Phase 3 trial is registered for Cichorium intybus in irritable bowel syndrome.
- The trial compares Amara-Tropfen oral drops against placebo in 106 participants.
- The measured outcome is the change in gastrointestinal discomfort on a 0–100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS).
- Treatment lasts 8 weeks, with baseline VAS values recorded over 7 days before randomisation.
- The study tests whether the herbal extract reduces IBS-related discomfort more than placebo.
What is Cichorium intybus?
Cichorium intybus, planta tota REC., ethanol. EXTR. 1:2,3 is a herbal substance prepared from the whole plant of chicory (Cichorium intybus) as an ethanol extract at a 1:2.3 ratio. The short label Cichorium intybus is used throughout this page. In the registered trial, the substance is given as Amara-Tropfen, an oral liquid dilution. The trial record describes the product as a drug, and the substance is of plant origin. There is no marketing authorisation information in the provided registry data, so it is treated here as an investigational herbal preparation in the context of this trial.
How does Cichorium intybus work?
The registered trial data do not state a molecular mechanism of action for Cichorium intybus. The trial investigates whether the herbal extract can reduce the intensity of gastrointestinal discomfort in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, measured on a visual analogue scale. Because the trial record does not provide a mechanism, no molecular target or pharmacological pathway is described here.
Which conditions is Cichorium intybus used or studied for?
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) — a chronic condition of the digestive system that can cause abdominal discomfort, bloating and changes in bowel habits. The registered trial studies Cichorium intybus in this condition.
How is Cichorium intybus given?
In the registered trial, the substance is given by mouth as Amara-Tropfen Dilution. The dose reported in the registry is 1046 microlitres, which is about 1.05 millilitres of the oral liquid. The trial compares this oral dilution against a placebo given in the same way.
What do the clinical trials show?
One Phase 3 clinical trial is registered for Cichorium intybus in irritable bowel syndrome. The trial has the EU CT number 2026-526668-19-00 and is authorised, meaning it has received regulatory approval to proceed. It is an interventional study with 106 participants.
The trial compares the herbal extract against placebo. Participants are randomised to receive either Amara-Tropfen oral dilution or placebo. The main outcome is the change in the intensity of gastrointestinal discomfort, measured as the weekly mean of a visual analogue scale (VAS) from 0 to 100 mm, where 0 means no discomfort and 100 means the most intense discomfort. Baseline values are recorded as the mean of at least four VAS measurements documented during the 7 days before randomisation. The change is then followed from randomisation through treatment weeks 1 to 8.
The trial therefore measures whether the verum preparation reduces IBS-related discomfort more than placebo over an 8-week treatment period. No results are reported in the registry data, and the trial status is authorised rather than completed.
What side effects are known?
The provided registry data do not include information on side effects for Cichorium intybus or Amara-Tropfen. No side-effect information is reported here.