Black Radish Benefits
What is Black Radish?
Black radish (Raphanus sativa nigra) is a member of the Cruciferae family, similar to its well known relative, that are found in the produce market, the conventional radish. Black radish, or sometimes called black spanish radish, is bitter and pungent in flavour and has been traditionally used in Mexican cuisine, Chinese medicine, modern herbalism and in Integrative Mineral Balancing programs.
Black radish is a good source of sulphur heterosides, cyanogenic glycosides, vitamins, and phenolic substances which are excellent antioxidants or free radicals scavengers. It is known to support to prevent lipid peroxidation, enhance liver detoxification enzymes (source) and the release of bile which assists the bodies natural detoxification processes (source, source). In addition to the liver and gallbladder, the dark colour of black radishes is indicative of its ability to support the kidney health and thus our primordial essence, Jing (source). In Serbia and Montenegro, black radish is a widely used folk medicine (source).
The herbal function of black radish is a hepatic, biliary and mild diuretic. It has been traditionally used as a choleretic, cholagogue, for benign bronchial problems, topically for sunburns, burns and for diaper rash. Though results are limited for alopecia. Black radish can enhance the oxidation rate as assessed by a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis and is helpful for lowering a high calcium level and assists in the elimination of copper (source). It works well when taken with molybdenum. Black radish is found in GB-3 along side cholic acid. Gb-3 is a digestive aid from Endo-met that works well in improving sodium to potassium inversions. We have also had great results with Kroeger Herb’s Black Radish & Parsley.
What are the benefits of black radish?
SKIN
Black Radish is effective for treating skin disorders such as rashes and dry skin to their abundance of calcium, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, B-complex vitamins, phosphorus and zinc [source]. In addition, Black Radish has significant amount of antioxidants (source, source) which can help quench free radicals and prevent the damaging effects on the skin.
JAUNDICE
Radishes reduce the destruction of red blood cells which occurs in people suffering from jaundice by increasing the supply of fresh oxygen to the blood. In addition to radishes profound ability to remove bilirubin and keep its production at a stable level (source)
HEMORRHOIDS/PILES
Piles, which are also known as hemorrhoids, are an inflammatory condition of the muscular tube connecting the anus and the rectum. When consumed twice daily, a half cup of radish juice will relieve piles (source).
CANCER
Isothiocyanates, which can be found in radishes, have a critical impact on the genetic pathways of cancerous cells and can cause apoptosis (cell death) thereby eliminating cancerous cells from reproducing (source, source).
INFECTIONS
Due to their raphanin content, black radish has antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral effects (source, source).
In 2012 a study revealed that radish has antifungal properties which can help induce cell death in Candida albicans, which can cause oral infections and vaginal yeast infections (source).
HYPERLIPIDEMIA
Studies have shown that black radish supports health blood lipid levels and free radical scavenging capacity in diets that are high in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (source, source).
LIVER
Traditionally, Black Radish has been heavily used for hepatic drainage (liver), and has also been used for hepatic headache (source).
According to Dr. Lawrence Wilson, Russian black radish, is a powerful copper antagonist. By enhancing liver activity, it can increase the rate of copper elimination by the liver (source). Many slow oxidisers develop sluggish liver activity due to weak and low functioning adrenal and thyroid glands. Black radish is very high in sulfur compounds which are essential for phase 2 liver detoxification (source) and enhance liver function while assisting in the removal of toxic elements and chemicals from the body (source).
RESPIRATORY TONIC
Reduces allergic rhinitis and asthma, sedates coughs and has been employed to reduce spasmodic conditions like whooping cough. Black radish shows tonic effect on the respiratory system, so it is useful in treatment of bronchitis, cough and asthma (source).
SCURVY
Due to black radishes rich vitamin C content, it is also very efficient antiscorbutic (source).
GALLBLADDER
Black radish reduces bilirubin in the body and thus relieves the body of gallstones. In addition, black radish has been shown to support and promote optimal gallbladder health and prevent cholesterol gallstones (source).
THYROID
According to John Heinerman, Ph.D., author of Heinerman's Encylopedia of Fruits, Vegetables and Herbs, Russian researchers told him that raphanin helps keep thyroid hormone (namely calcitonin and thyroxine) levels in balance. With adequate raphinin circulating in the blood, the thyroid is less likely to overproduce or underproduce these hormones (source).
KIDNEY
Black Radish helps the kidney rid the blood of irritants that promote allergies and arthritis.
Safety
People with gallbladder stones or obstructions, and those with severe kidney or hepatic (liver) problems should not use Black Radish without consulting a qualified health care professional.
Part commonly used:
Root, Stalk, Leaf, Juice.
Phytonutrients:
Glucosinolate, Glucoraphanin, Glucoraphasatin, Raphanin, Myrosinase, Antioxidants - Isothiocyanates.
Sources:
Jing: What Is It? How To Cultivate It? By Tahnee McCrossin. https://www.superfeast.com.au/blogs/superblog/jing-cultivate
Castro-Torres, Ibrahim Guillermo, et al. J Biomed Biotechnol. 2012
Hanlon, Paul R., et al. J. Agric. Food Chem., 2007