Endive (Cichorium endivia) has a history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in European and Mediterranean herbal traditions. It is sometimes recommended as a bitter vegetable to help stimulate digestive function, including bile production and flow. The rationale is that bitter compounds found in endive and related plants (such as dandelion and chicory) can promote secretion of digestive juices, which may theoretically support gall bladder function or compensate for sluggish bile flow. In the context of gall bladder removal (cholecystectomy), some traditional herbalists suggest bitter foods to aid digestion, as the body now lacks the regulated release of bile.

Despite these traditional uses, there is minimal direct scientific evidence specifically supporting endive for gall bladder disorders or for compensating after gall bladder removal. Most available literature focuses on the general digestive benefits of bitter vegetables, rather than controlled studies on endive itself. The rating of 1 reflects the presence of traditional belief and anecdotal use, but a lack of robust clinical validation. No major clinical trials or modern pharmacological studies specifically examine endive's impact on bile production or gall bladder health. Therefore, while its use is rooted in tradition, scientific support is currently insufficient.