Radish Root Powder (Raphanus sativus; Lai Fu Zi) 1 lb

This is Starwest's nitrogen-flushed double wall silverfoil pack. The Chinese radish is also known as daikon Japanese radish Oriental radish winter radish and black radish. The black radish tuber is oddly enough white. Chinese radish originated in the Orient as did the common spring or summer radish. Chinese radishes have extremely large roots some weighing up to 100 pounds. Most are in the 10-20 pound class at full maturity. These big late maturing radishes were known in Europe much earlier than the smaller kinds. Chinese radishes grown in Florida vegetable garden soils often reach 20 or more pounds. Unlike spring radishes this type of radish is usually cooked rather than eaten fresh. In Asia larger daikon type radishes are important sources of food. They are cooked in various ways and preserved by pickling or drying. From one variety or another the leaves stems flowering shoots seed pods seeds sprouts and roots are eaten. Powdered radish root can be conveniently substituted for fresh radish in most recipes. Raw radishes contain large amounts of diatase an enzyme that aids in the digestion of starches. Maybe that's why the Japanese always serve radishes with rice dishes and the Europeans serve radishes with breads and breakfast cereals. Radishes contain many of the same anti-oxidants and cancer fighting compounds as other members of the crucifer family such as broccoli cabbage and kale. They are a traditional treatment for digestive problems. The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends Radish roots 'Raphanus sativus L. var. niger... Radish contains mustard oil glycosides and essential oil. Uses: Peptic disorders especially those related to dyskinesia of the bile ducts catarrhs of the upper respiratory tract. Contraindications: Cholelithiasis (gall stones).' 'Average daily dosage: 50 - 100 ml pressed juice. Mode of Administration: Pressed juice for oral use. Actions: Secretagogue for the upper gastrointestinal tract; Motility promoting; Antimicrobial.' Grieve below recommends radish for 'treatment of cholelithiasis ' but the Commission E is careful to point out that radish can function as a preventative but should not be substituted for conventional treatment should gall stones (cholelithiasis) develop. Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'Radishes are an excellent food remedy for stone gravel and scorbutic conditions. The juice has been used in the treatment of cholelithiasis as an aid in preventing the formation of biliary calculi. The expressed juice of white or black Spanish radishes is given in increasing doses of from ½ to 2 cupfuls daily. The 2 cupfuls are continued for two or three weeks. then the dose is decreased until ½ cupful is taken three times a week for three or four more weeks. The treatment may be repeated by taking 1 cupful at the beginning then ½ daily and later ½ every second day.'