Naturalsociety, By: Christina Sarich, 09/18/2013
Rapharus sativus, or the common radish, is an often overlooked vegetable with wonderful healing properties. This root-like vegetable is of the cruciferous variety (in the same family of vegetables as arugula, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower and watercress) and offers multiple trace minerals, vitamins, and healing phyto-nutrients that our bodies need. Even the Iron Chef tells us, ‘don’t throw away those radish greens!’
Once used in ancient Chinese medicine and introduced to the Americas by Columbus (according to legend), radishes appeared in Mexico and Haiti in the 1500s. They were part of many a colonial garden. They come in all kinds of varieties and colors, from ravishing red, to blushing pink and even purple, and can weigh up to five pounds and grow up to 7 feet long with a good compost tea, and healthy soil. Many are cultivated for their greens alone, since they are full of healthful properties.
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