What effect has black radish?
The root of the black radish is used both in cooking and in medicine. Strictly speaking, it is an underground growing shoot (rhizome), which can be roundish-spherical to oval to elongated-pointed shape.
Black radish has a germ-inhibiting effect (antimicrobial), stimulates the flow of bile and aids digestion (of fats, for example). Also an expectorant effect is attributed to the medicinal plant.
Therefore, black radish is often used for digestive problems as well as catarrh of the upper respiratory tract. In folk medicine, the plant is also used to treat coughs, such as whooping cough or coughs associated with bronchitis.
How is black radish used?
Black radish as a home remedy
Radish juice or radish honey – as a home remedy black radish is often used in these preparations.
Radish juice
For medicinal purposes, black radish is mainly used as a cough syrup. For a fresh radish juice, peel, chop or grate the black radish and squeeze it – for example through a cloth. A medium-sized radish yields about 250 milliliters of pressed juice.
The daily dose is about 100 to 150 milliliters of radish juice. Some experts also recommend only 50 to 100 milliliters per day. In any case, it is important to note that the radish juice only develops its effect when taken as a course of treatment over a period of several weeks.
However, this should not be done continuously: Take a break of two to three days after every four to five days – because of the irritating effect of black radish on the mucous membranes.
Radish honey
An old home remedy for coughs, bronchitis and congested throat is radish honey: take a (spherical) radish, cut off a “lid” and hollow it out with the help of a small knife and a spoon. Then fill it with high-quality honey, put the “lid” back on and let it infuse for several hours – in the refrigerator. Then pour the honey enriched with radish juice into a clean jam jar.
Babies under the age of one should not eat honey. It may contain bacterial toxins dangerous for them.
Ready-made preparations with black radish
There are ready-made plant press juice of black radish in the pharmacy in the health food store or well-stocked drugstores.
What side effects can black radish cause?
What you should consider when using black radish
- If radish juice causes you stomach discomfort, you should stop drinking it.
- People with gallstones should also avoid black radish. Especially in higher doses, it can cause biliary colic.
- In general, it is advisable to discuss the use of black radish with a doctor or pharmacist first if you have gallbladder problems.
How to get black radish and its products
What is black radish?
Black radish (Raphanus sativus var. niger) belongs to the cruciferous plant family (Brassicaceae). It is closely related to white radish (white beer radish) and radish.
The larger family includes horseradish, kohlrabi, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. All of them belong to the cruciferous family.
