PDR for Herbal Medicines

628 /QUININE

Wagner H, Wiesenauer M. Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und

pflanzliche Homoopathika. Fischer-Verlag. Stuttgart, Jena, New

York 1995.

Wichtl M (Hrsg.). Teedrogen, 4. Aufl:. Wiss. Verlagsges.

Stuttgart 1997.

Radish

Raphcinus sativus

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts". The medicinal part is the fresh root. The

plant is an important drug in homeopathic medicine.

Flower and Fruit: The raceme is loose and has about 30

flowers. The pedicles are 1 to 2 cm long and are covered in

scattered bristles. The sepals are 6.5 to 10 mm long, oblong,

acute, glabrous or with scattered bristles and red or green.

The petals are 17 to 22 mm long, obovate, slightly margined,

violet or white with dark veins. The fruit is on upright, patent

stems. They are upright, cylindrical and conically acuminate.

The upper segment is up to 9 cm long.and even or slightly

constricted between the seeds, and straw-like on the outside.

The seeds are ovate. 4 mm long and 3 mm wide, light brown

with a black hilum.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The root is annual or biennial and

thin. The stem is up to 1 m high, bent, cane-like, branched,

glabrous or covered with bristles and often violet, particular-

ly in the axils of the lateral branches. The lower leaves are

lyrate-pinnatisect with large sweeping crenate end segments

and smaller, oblong-ovate, obtuse, dentate lateral lobes. They

are light green, often red-veined and covered with scattered,

appressed bristles.

Characteristics: The large, thick, tuberous, fleshy root, is hot

to the taste.

Habitat: The plant is probably indigenous to China and

Japan and today is cultivated in most temperate regions of

the world.

Production: Radish consists of the fresh roots of Raphanus

sativus and/or of Raphanus sativus, as well as their

preparations. It is a cultivated plant.

Other Names: Common Radish, Garden Radish

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Glucosinolates in the fresh, unbruised rhizome: chief com-
ponent 4-methylthio-3-butenyl-giucosinolate, glucobrassin,
sinigrin, glucoraphanine

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

EFFECTS

The drug is said to be choleretic, antimicrobial and to

increase motility in the upper gastrointestinal tract, an effect

caused by the mustard oils.

A choleretic effect and an antiviral effect were proven in M

animal experiments.

Radish has a secretolytic effect in patients suffering from

chronic bronchitis.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission.E:

• Cough/Bronchitis - :-


• Dyspeptic complaints

Radish is used internally for respiratory catarrh and dyspep-

tic disorders, especially those related to dyskinesia of the bile

ducts.

Unproven Uses: In folk medicine Radish is used for

whooping cough and gallstones.

Chinese Medicine: In China, Radish is used to treat coughs,

diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Indian Medicine: Uses in India include dyspeptic com- %

plaints, nausea, flatulence, gallbladder disturbances, head-

ache, neuralgias, and urological conditions.

Homeopathic Uses: Raphanus sativus is used for poor

digestion and oily skin.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction

with the proper administration of designated therapeutic

dosages.

OVERDOSAGE

Administration of higher dosages of the fresh root could lead

to mucus membrane irritation of the gastrointestinal tract.

Due to the cholagogic effect of the drug, biliary colic could

be triggered in patients with gallstones.

DOSAGE

Preparation:

Radish-honey juice — 1 radish is grated and the resulting

juice is mixed with honey, then allowed to stand for 10

hours. '

Radish plant juice — The Radish is washed, cut and grated

and up to 17% of the liquid is pressed out. 1-liter of juice is

extracted from 1.3 kg of fresh drug.

Daily Dosage:

Pressed juice — 50 to 100 ml; lh tablespoon several times

daily over a 3-day period.