Radish, that common and beloved part of your salad, is a root crop, and it is pungent or sweet in taste with a lot of juice. Radishes can be white, red, purple or black, and in terms of shape, it can be long and or round. They are eaten raw, cooked. The oil obtained from the seeds of radish is also used in a number of products and beneficial health applications.
The parts of radishes that are commonly consumed are the leaves, flowers, pods and seeds. The scientific name of radish is Raphanus Sativus which belongs to the Brassicaceae family. Radish is also known as Daikon in some parts of the world, primarily in Asian markets.
The benefits of radishes in the treatment or prevention of certain ailments and on certain body parts are many
Jaundice: Radish is very good for the liver and stomach, and it acts as a powerful detoxifier too, that means that it purifies the blood and eliminates toxins and waste. It is extremely useful in treating jaundice because it removes bilirubin and also keeps its production at a stable level. It also reduces the destruction of red blood cells that happens to people suffering from jaundice by increasing the supply of fresh oxygen to the blood. Black radishes are more preferred in the treatment of jaundice, and radish leaves are also very useful in the treatment.
Piles: Radish is known to have uncountable nutrients. This facilitates digestion, water retention, and it fixes constipation, which is one of the major causes of piles. As such a good detoxifier, it helps heal the symptoms of pile very quickly. Its juice also soothes the digestive and excretory system, further relieving the symptoms of piles.
Urinary Disorders: Radishes are diurectic in nature, which means that they increase the production of urine. Juice from radishes also cures inflammation and a burning feeling during urination. It also cleans out the kidneys and inhibits infections in the kidneys and urinary system, thus helping the treatments of various urinary conditions that are exacerbated by excess toxins in the system.
Weight Loss: Radishes are very filling, which means that they satisfy your hunger without running up your calorie count. They are also low in digestible carbohydrates, high in roughage and contain a lot of water, making radish a very good dietary option for those who are determined to lose weight. Furthermore, they are high in fiber and low on the glycemic index, which means that they increase regular bowel movements, which helps in weight loss, and increases the efficiency of the metabolism for all bodily processes.
Cardiovascular Conditions: Radish is a great source of anthocyanins, which are a type of flavonoids, which not only give color to radishes, but also provide numerous health benefits. Anthocyanins have been the subject of numerous medical studies, and have been positively linked to reducing the occurrence of cardiovascular disease, and they have also displayed anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties.
Cancer: Since radishes are detoxifiers and are rich in vitamin-C, folic and anthocyanins, they have been connected to treating many types of cancer, particularly colon, kidney, intestinal, stomach and oral cancer. Radishes are part of the Brassica family, and like the other members of that taxonomic classification, these cruciferous vegetables are packed with antioxidants. Furthermore, the isthiocyanates found in radishes have a major impact on the genetic pathways of cancerous cells. They alter the pathways so much, in fact, they can cause apoptosis, cell death, thereby eliminating cancerous cells from reproducing.
Leucoderma: The detoxifying and anti-carcinogenic properties of radish make them useful in the treatments of leucoderma. The radish seeds are used in this treatment method. They should be powdered and soaked in vinegar, ginger juice, or cow’s urine and then applied on the white patches. You can eat radishes as well to aid the treatment of Leucoderma.
Blood Pressure: Radishes are a very good source of potassium, which contributes to a large list of health benefits. Potassium has been positively connected reducing blood sugar, because when it interacts with the arterial supply of vascular beds, it can relax the blood vessels, and therefore increase blood flow. It reduces the blood pressure by widening the flow of the blood, instead of forcing it through narrow, constricted channels.
Diabetes: Radish has long been known to have a low glycemic index. It also helps regulate the absorption of sugars into the bloodstream, meaning that diabetics don’t have to worry as much about sudden spikes or drops when eating, or being away from food for a certain amount of time.
Skin Disorders: Vitamin-C, phosphorus, zinc and some members of vitamin-B complex that are present in radish are good for the skin. The water in radish also helps to maintain healthy moisture levels in the skin. Smashed raw radish is a good cleanser and serves as an efficient face pack. Due to its disinfectant properties, radish also help clear up skin disorders like dry skin, rashes, and cracks.
Constipation: Radish is very high in fiber, which means that they add considerable bulk to bowel movements, which promotes regular excretory patterns and relieve symptoms constipation. They can also help to firm up loose bowels and get rid of loose stool or diarrhea. Furthermore, radishes are known to promote the production of bile. Bile is one of the most important parts of good digestion, and also helps to protect both the liver and the gallbladder.
Dehydration: Radishes are mostly composed of water, and they are a great way to keep your body hydrated, which is beneficial to many different parts of health. One of the most important parts of staying hydrated is the impact of water on the digestive system. Staying hydrated relieves constipation, improves the efficiency of digestion, and ensures proper uptake of nutrients from the food we eat.
Respiratory Conditions and Sore Throats: Radish has a strong, natural spice to them, and they are also quite pungent, which is very good for preventing illness, and it also eliminate excess mucus in the throat. Furthermore, radishes have been known to soothe sore throats and relieve congestion by clearing the sinuses.
Vitamin-C and Immune System Health: There are countless reasons why radish is a good addition to your diet, but improving your immune system is one of the most important. A half cup of radish per day in a salad or just as a snack is nearly 15% of your daily intake of Vitamin-C. Consistently maxing out your daily dose of Vitamin-C intake can rejuvenate your immune system by replacing many of the antioxidants and white blood cells which are so integral in fighting off every illness from the common cold to cancer!
Vitamin-C does not only boost your immune system, but it also is considered a super vitamin because of all the other high-impact effects it has on the body. It helps regulate your metabolism, which changes fat into usable energy, and it is a main contributor in the creation of collagen, which is an essential protein that strengthens blood vessel walls and reduces the chances of artherosclerosis and various other heart diseases.
Fever: Radish lower body temperature and relieve inflammation from fevers. A good method of intake is drinking radish juice mixed with black salt, and since they act as good disinfectants, radish also fights infections that can cause fever.
Kidney Disorders: As a diuretic, cleanser, and disinfectant, radish help in the treatment of many kidney disorders. Its diuretic properties help wash away the toxins accumulated in the kidneys and they decrease the accumulation of toxins in the blood, thereby decreasing their concentration in the kidneys. Its disinfectant properties protect the kidneys from any infections as well.
Respiratory Disorders, Bronchitis and Asthma: Radish are an anti-congestive, meaning that it decreases congestion of the respiratory system including irritation of the nose, throat, wind-pipe and lungs that can come from colds, infections, allergies and other causes. They are a great disinfectant and rich in vitamins, which further protects the respiratory system from infections.
Liver & Gallbladder: Radish is especially beneficial for liver and gallbladder function. They regulate production and flow of bile and bilirubin, acids, and enzymes. Furthermore, it also removes excess bilirubin from the blood, and it contains enzymes like myrosinase, diastase, amylase and esterase. Regular consumption of radishes protects your liver and gallbladder from infections and ulcers.
Other Benefits: Apart from the benefits mentioned above, radishes work as a good appetizer, mouth and breathe freshener, laxative, and metabolism regulator. People whose weekly diets are supplemented with normal amounts of radish see an improvement in blood circulation, and radishes are a good treatment for headaches, acidity, constipation, nausea, obesity, sore throat, whooping cough, gastric problems, gall stones, and dyspepsia.
Finding it hard to digest everything you just read? Well, I suggest you have some slices of radish to get your stomach working properly, and perhaps make you hungry for even more nutrient-packed power food, radish.
Dr. Tonifelix C. Manu
(PHYTOTHERAPIST)
