The Underrated Radish Plant: Your Guide to Better Health

Radish health benefits are well known in the Mediterranean and are highly appreciated as a salad seasoning. In some places, their roots and leaves are consumed, which have a pleasant, spicy flavor. The black radish (Raphanus sativus L., var. nigra) is a variety of the common Radish with a dark-colored root. This variety is usually employed in phytotherapy.

Scientific Facts

1. Scientific Name: Raphanus sativus L.
2. French: Radis.
3. Spanish: Rábano.
4. Environment: Native to central Asia, it is cultivated in all warm regions worldwide.
5. Description: This is a herbaceous plant of the Cruciferae family. It has divided leaves and white flowers with pink or violet strips. The root is a white, red, or blackish tuber.
6. Parts of the plant used medicinally: The fresh root.

Health Benefits

This plant contains a sulfured glycoside (glucoraphanin) which, employing enzymatic hydrolysis, becomes raphanol, a substance to which the choleretic, cholagogue, antibiotic, and pectoral properties of the Radish are owed. It also contains mineral salts and vitamins B and C. Its applications are as follows:

• Hepatic and biliary afflictions: The plant increases bile production in the liver (cholagogue properties), thus reducing its congestion and detoxifying it. It also improves gall bladder function by promoting the correct evacuation of bile into the duodenum. Hence, Radish is recommended for acute or chronic hepatitis, fatty liver, cirrhosis, hepatic intoxication caused by medicines, chemical products, mushrooms, and biliary dyspepsia. It can help regenerate the liver from alcoholic hepatitis and fatty degeneration caused by alcohol or other toxic substances.
• Respiratory afflictions: Radishes have mucolytic (expels mucus), expectorant, and antibiotic properties. They are highly recommended for bronchial catarrh, bronchitis, and laryngitis, especially sinusitis. They are also a valuable auxiliary remedy for treating tobacco addiction.
• Appetizer and Diuretic.

How to use Radish

1. Raw, in salads, radishes are healthy and healing seasonings.
2. Fresh juice of the tuber. The recommended intake is 50 to 125 ml, three times a day, before meals, sweetened with honey or brown sugar.

Wild Radish

Wild Radish (Raphanus rapanistrum L.) is the species we consume cultivated radishes as vegetables from. Its medicinal properties resemble the common Radish (Raphanus sativus L.). Its seeds contain an alkaloid called sinalbine, which becomes a mustard essence through the accompanying enzyme.

Horse-Radish

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana Gaertn. = Cochlearia armoracia L.) is similar to mustard in its composition and applications. It has acquired a degree of noblesse since professors Enamorado and López Garcés of the Polytechnic University of Madrid obtained an extract from it. The extract, known as DGP (diphenilglioxal peroxide), has caused notable improvements when administered to people with multiple sclerosis. It is possible that anticancerous action is currently being researched.

Radishes are suitable for the liver since they reduce its congestion and toxicity. When consumed either raw or as juice, radishes are recommended for hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver degeneration caused by alcohol consumption, and hepatic intoxication caused by medicines or chemical products.

DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. Do not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.

REFERENCES

1. George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. Vols. 1 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 393, 394. Print. [radish health benefits]
2. Healthline: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/are-radish-greens-edible
3. WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-radish
4. SingleCare: https://www.singlecare.com/blog/radish-benefits/
5. https://www.health.com/nutrition/radish-health-benefits