By: Ivana Dragica |
Radish – a hot "treat" for healthy digestion and clean skin |
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The familiar radish is actually a very ancient and respected culture that has been cultivated for over 3,000 years.
Its Latin name is Raphanus sativus, which literally means cultivated cabbage.
In Roman times, the workers received radishes as a reward, and it was an every-day meal to Egyptian slaves.
The ancient Greeks loved radish so much that they offered it as a sacrifice for their gods on a silver platter.
In the Middle Ages it had a negative connotation because people thought the radish was a symbol of strife and conflict.
Radish is now one of the most popular vegetables in the world.
Healing properties and nutritional composition
A hundred grams of radish contains only 16 calories, but it is rich in minerals and vitamins.
Radish is a good source of copper, manganese, potassium, vitamin C, K and B6. In smaller quantities, it also contains calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc and sodium.
Radish has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Radish helps with respiratory diseases, especially with cough and asthma.
It is extremely valuable for problems with the gall bladder and liver.
It is a great remedy for jaundice, because it normalizes the production of bilirubin. For treating jaundice, you can use radish leaves, not just fruits.
Radish helps red blood cells and improves oxygenation by doing so.
If you plan to lose weight, eat radish because of its low calorific value, easy digestibility, plenty of fibers and water which will create a longer feeling of satiety.
Its detoxifying properties, plenty of vitamin C, folic acid and anthocyanins help in the treatment of several types of cancer, especially colon, kidney, stomach and throat cancer.
Heals skin disorders
Thanks to its medicinal ingredients, the radish is a great cure for vitiligo.
Grind 35-50 g of radish seeds with 2 tablespoons vinegar or ginger juice in a blender. Apply this paste on the affected areas 2 times a day.
This pasta, with regular use, restores melanin, which means that your skin will take on its normal color. For best results, use this paste for at least six months and always freshly prepared one.
Because of vitamin C and vitamin B complex, radish is applicable against other skin disorders.
Facial mask made of squashed radish fruits is effective cleanser and moisturizes the face and is great for removing rashes.
You can also make a paste by grinding radish leaves mixed with water in a blender.
Radish juice for better digestion
Radish juice is an old folk remedy for better digestion.
It helps against constipation and difficult digestion of carbohydrates. In order to regulate digestion, drink radish juice before meal.
Radish also stimulates the secretion of bile, normalizes the function of the gall bladder and relieves hemorrhoids.
As a natural diuretic, radish helps removing excess fluid from the body.
Radish also relieves pain and burning during urination, cleanses the kidneys and reduces the risk of urinary system inflammation.
It is good to know that the black radish, red radish cousin, is even more effective in treating these diseases and ailments, but it has more unpleasant taste.
Note
Radish is not recommended for people suffering from mucosa, stomach and intestinal inflammation, stomach ulcers, or kidney patients.
Cultivating radish
Radish is one of the few crops that provide its fruits only thirty days after sowing.
It tolerates moderately warm and humid climate, it is very resistant to cold and heat to minus six degrees Celsius.
The best time for cultivating radishes is in March, April and September.
Radishes are sown on good ground chipped in rows with 14 cm spacing, at a depth of 1 cm and separation between individual seeds should be 5 cm.
Radish in cuisine
Radish has a distinctive hot flavor, which is due to mustard acid.
It is popularly used for preparation of various salads, but you can also cook it or add it to dairy sauces and dips. You can also use leaves for making tasty soups and side dishes.
Cough syrup
Ingredients:
- - 900 g of radish
- - 250 g of honey
- - juice made of two lemons
Mix chopped radish with honey and lemon juice. Place the mixture in a glass bowl, cover and leave for 24 hours in a cool place.
Strain into sterilized bottles and seal. Drink one tablespoon three times a day before meal.
Grilled radishes
Ingredients:
- 200 g of sliced radish
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 ice cube
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
Preparation:
Heat the barbecue. Mix all ingredients and wrap in foil and bake it in foil for about 20 minutes.
Radish leaf crème soup
Ingredients:
- 3 larger bundles of radish leaves
- 1 large chopped onion
- a tablespoon butter
- 4 large potatoes
- 1 ½ cup of low-fat yogurt
- salt and pepper
Preparation
Simmer onions in a butter for about five minutes, add washed, chopped radish leaves and cook for another two minutes until they become tender.
Add the potatoes and add enough water just to cover them. When the potatoes are cooked, mix everything in a blender, add yogurt, and let it boil, then turn off the heat and add spices.
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