The Radish (Raphanus sativus) is an edible root vegetable of the Brassicaceae family which was domesticated in Europe, in pre-Roman times. They are grown and consumed throughout the world. Radishes have several varieties, varying in size, color and duration of required cultivation time. There are some radishes which are grown for their seeds; oilseed radishes are grown, as the name implies, for oil production. Radish can sprout from seed to small plant in as little as 3 days.
Radish can be eaten raw or cooked . The most important use of radishes is garnishing or it is used as an ingredient in green salads. Radishes are root vegetables which resemble beets or turnips in appearance and texture, but have a distinct flavor. It is the root of a plant classified in the mustard family.
The flavor of radish may vary from mild to peppery and pungent, depending on the variety. Radishes are available all year long, and are at their peak from June through September. There are 5 main varieties of radishes Red Glode, daikons, Black, white Icicles, California Mammoth White.
Radishes and their greens are an excellent source of vitamin C and a powerful antioxidant. It has anti-inflammatory properties too. Radish leaves are a good source of calcium. Radishes contain cancer-protective properties. The sulphur based chemicals present in radish increase the flow of bile. This improves the health of gall bladder. Radish can protect as against ailments such as Jaundice, piles, urinary disorders, weightloss cancer Leucoderma, skin disorders, kidney disorders and insect bites.
Radishes are usually eaten raw or in salads. They are primarily used in Japanese and Indian cooking. To retain the freshness and crunchiness it is advised to soak Radish in cold water. Radishes come in a number of varieties of shapes, sizes and colors.
Nutritional Value
Radishes are rich in ascorbic acid, folic acid, and potassium. They are a good source of vitamin B6, riboflavin, magnesium, copper, and calcium. One cup of sliced red radish bulbs provides approximately 20 kcal, largely from carbohydrates.
Health Benefits of Radish
The benefits of radish against certain ailments and on certain body parts are listed below:
Jaundice: Radish is very good for the liver and the stomach and it is a very good detoxifier too, that is, it purifies blood. It is very useful in jaundice as it helps removing bilirubin and also checks its production. It also controls destruction of red blood cells during jaundice by increasing supply of fresh oxygen in the blood. The black radish is more preferred in jaundice. The leaves of radish are also very useful in treatment of jaundice.
Piles: Radish is rich in roughage, i.e. indigestible carbohydrates. This improves digestion, retains water, cures constipation (one of the main causes for piles) and hence gives relief in piles. Being a very good detoxifier, it helps heal up piles fast. Its juice also soothes the digestive and excretory system and this also relieves piles.
Urinary Disorders: Radishes are diurectic in nature, i.e. increase production of urine. Juice of radish also cures inflammation and burning feeling during urinating. It also cleans the kidneys and inhibits infections in kidneys and urinary system. Thus it helps a great deal in treating urinary disorders.
Weight Loss: Radishes are very filling, i.e. fills your stomach and satisfies your hunger easily without giving you many calories, as they are low in digestible carbohydrates, high in roughage and contain a lot of water. It is a very good dietary option for those trying to lose weight.
Cancer: Being a very good detoxifier and rich in vitamin-C, folic and anthocyanins, radish helps cure many types of cancer, specially those of colon, kidney, intestines, stomach and oral cancer.
Leucoderma: The detoxifying and anti carcinogenic characteristics of radish make it useful in treatment of Leucoderma. The radish seeds are used in this case. They should be powdered and soaked in vinegar or ginger juice or cows urine and then applied on the white patches. Eating radish also aids treatment of Leucoderma.
Skin Disorders: Vitamin-C, phosphorus, zinc and some members of vitamin-B complex that are present in radish, are good for skin. The water in it helps maintain moisture of the skin. Smashed raw radish is a very good cleanser and serves as a very efficient face pack. Due to its disinfectant properties, radish also helps cure skin disorders, such as drying up, rashes, cracks etc. and also refreshes it.
Kidney Disorders: Being diurectic, cleanser and disinfectant, it helps cure many kidney disorders. Its diurectic properties help wash away the toxins accumulated in the kidneys. Cleansing properties clean kidneys up and lessens accumulation of toxins in the blood, thereby decreasing their concentration in the kidneys. Its disinfectant properties protect the kidneys from any infections too. Thus it is good for overall health of the kidneys.
Insect Bites: It has anti pruritic properties and can be used as an effective treatment for insect bites, stings of bees, hornets, wasps etc. Its juice also reduces pain and swelling and soothes the affected area.
Fever: It brings down the body temperature and relieves inflammation due to fever. Drink radish juice mixed with black salt. Being a good disinfectant, it also fights infections which cause fever, thereby helping cure it.
Respiratory Disorders, Bronchitis and Asthma: Radish is an anti congestive, i.e. it relieves congestion of respiratory system including nose, throat, wind-pipe and lungs, due to cold, infection, allergies and other causes. It is a good disinfectant and also rich in vitamins that protect respiratory system from infections.
Liver & Gallbladder: Radish is especially beneficial for liver and gallbladder functions. It regulates production and flow of bile and bilirubin, acids, enzymes and removes excess bilirubin from the blood, being a good detoxifier. It also contains enzymes like myrosinase, diastase, amylase and esterase. It protects liver and gallbladder from infections and ulcers and soothes them.
Other Benefits: Apart from above benefits, radish is a good appetizer, mouth and breathe freshener, laxative, regulates metabolism, improves blood circulation, is a good treatment for headache, acidity, constipation, nausea, obesity, sore throat, whooping cough, gastric problems, gallbladder stones, dyspepsia etc.
Finding it hard to digest the above stuff? Well! We suggest you have some slices of radish. That may help you and enhance your appetite for the health benefits of vegetables and herbs.
History
The descriptive Greek name of the genus Raphanus means "quickly appearing" and refers to the rapid germination of these plants. Raphanistrum, from the same Greek root, is an old name once used for this genus. The common name "radish" is derived from Latin radix (root).
Although the radish was a well-established crop in Hellenistic and Roman times that leads to the assumption that it was brought into cultivation at an earlier time, Zohary and Hopf note that "there are almost no archeological records available "to help determine its earlier history and domestication. Wild forms of the radish and its relatives the mustards and turnip can be found over west Asia and Europe, suggesting that their domestication took place somewhere in that area. However Zohary and Hopf conclude, "Suggestions as to the origins of these plants are necessarily based on linguistic considerations.
Radish can be eaten raw or cooked . The most important use of radishes is garnishing or it is used as an ingredient in green salads. Radishes are root vegetables which resemble beets or turnips in appearance and texture, but have a distinct flavor. It is the root of a plant classified in the mustard family.
The flavor of radish may vary from mild to peppery and pungent, depending on the variety. Radishes are available all year long, and are at their peak from June through September. There are 5 main varieties of radishes Red Glode, daikons, Black, white Icicles, California Mammoth White.
Radishes and their greens are an excellent source of vitamin C and a powerful antioxidant. It has anti-inflammatory properties too. Radish leaves are a good source of calcium. Radishes contain cancer-protective properties. The sulphur based chemicals present in radish increase the flow of bile. This improves the health of gall bladder. Radish can protect as against ailments such as Jaundice, piles, urinary disorders, weightloss cancer Leucoderma, skin disorders, kidney disorders and insect bites.
Radishes are usually eaten raw or in salads. They are primarily used in Japanese and Indian cooking. To retain the freshness and crunchiness it is advised to soak Radish in cold water. Radishes come in a number of varieties of shapes, sizes and colors.
Nutritional Value
Radishes are rich in ascorbic acid, folic acid, and potassium. They are a good source of vitamin B6, riboflavin, magnesium, copper, and calcium. One cup of sliced red radish bulbs provides approximately 20 kcal, largely from carbohydrates.
Health Benefits of Radish
The benefits of radish against certain ailments and on certain body parts are listed below:
Jaundice: Radish is very good for the liver and the stomach and it is a very good detoxifier too, that is, it purifies blood. It is very useful in jaundice as it helps removing bilirubin and also checks its production. It also controls destruction of red blood cells during jaundice by increasing supply of fresh oxygen in the blood. The black radish is more preferred in jaundice. The leaves of radish are also very useful in treatment of jaundice.
Piles: Radish is rich in roughage, i.e. indigestible carbohydrates. This improves digestion, retains water, cures constipation (one of the main causes for piles) and hence gives relief in piles. Being a very good detoxifier, it helps heal up piles fast. Its juice also soothes the digestive and excretory system and this also relieves piles.
Urinary Disorders: Radishes are diurectic in nature, i.e. increase production of urine. Juice of radish also cures inflammation and burning feeling during urinating. It also cleans the kidneys and inhibits infections in kidneys and urinary system. Thus it helps a great deal in treating urinary disorders.
Weight Loss: Radishes are very filling, i.e. fills your stomach and satisfies your hunger easily without giving you many calories, as they are low in digestible carbohydrates, high in roughage and contain a lot of water. It is a very good dietary option for those trying to lose weight.
Cancer: Being a very good detoxifier and rich in vitamin-C, folic and anthocyanins, radish helps cure many types of cancer, specially those of colon, kidney, intestines, stomach and oral cancer.
Leucoderma: The detoxifying and anti carcinogenic characteristics of radish make it useful in treatment of Leucoderma. The radish seeds are used in this case. They should be powdered and soaked in vinegar or ginger juice or cows urine and then applied on the white patches. Eating radish also aids treatment of Leucoderma.
Skin Disorders: Vitamin-C, phosphorus, zinc and some members of vitamin-B complex that are present in radish, are good for skin. The water in it helps maintain moisture of the skin. Smashed raw radish is a very good cleanser and serves as a very efficient face pack. Due to its disinfectant properties, radish also helps cure skin disorders, such as drying up, rashes, cracks etc. and also refreshes it.
Kidney Disorders: Being diurectic, cleanser and disinfectant, it helps cure many kidney disorders. Its diurectic properties help wash away the toxins accumulated in the kidneys. Cleansing properties clean kidneys up and lessens accumulation of toxins in the blood, thereby decreasing their concentration in the kidneys. Its disinfectant properties protect the kidneys from any infections too. Thus it is good for overall health of the kidneys.
Insect Bites: It has anti pruritic properties and can be used as an effective treatment for insect bites, stings of bees, hornets, wasps etc. Its juice also reduces pain and swelling and soothes the affected area.
Fever: It brings down the body temperature and relieves inflammation due to fever. Drink radish juice mixed with black salt. Being a good disinfectant, it also fights infections which cause fever, thereby helping cure it.
Respiratory Disorders, Bronchitis and Asthma: Radish is an anti congestive, i.e. it relieves congestion of respiratory system including nose, throat, wind-pipe and lungs, due to cold, infection, allergies and other causes. It is a good disinfectant and also rich in vitamins that protect respiratory system from infections.
Liver & Gallbladder: Radish is especially beneficial for liver and gallbladder functions. It regulates production and flow of bile and bilirubin, acids, enzymes and removes excess bilirubin from the blood, being a good detoxifier. It also contains enzymes like myrosinase, diastase, amylase and esterase. It protects liver and gallbladder from infections and ulcers and soothes them.
Other Benefits: Apart from above benefits, radish is a good appetizer, mouth and breathe freshener, laxative, regulates metabolism, improves blood circulation, is a good treatment for headache, acidity, constipation, nausea, obesity, sore throat, whooping cough, gastric problems, gallbladder stones, dyspepsia etc.
Finding it hard to digest the above stuff? Well! We suggest you have some slices of radish. That may help you and enhance your appetite for the health benefits of vegetables and herbs.
History
The descriptive Greek name of the genus Raphanus means "quickly appearing" and refers to the rapid germination of these plants. Raphanistrum, from the same Greek root, is an old name once used for this genus. The common name "radish" is derived from Latin radix (root).
Although the radish was a well-established crop in Hellenistic and Roman times that leads to the assumption that it was brought into cultivation at an earlier time, Zohary and Hopf note that "there are almost no archeological records available "to help determine its earlier history and domestication. Wild forms of the radish and its relatives the mustards and turnip can be found over west Asia and Europe, suggesting that their domestication took place somewhere in that area. However Zohary and Hopf conclude, "Suggestions as to the origins of these plants are necessarily based on linguistic considerations.
