What are the medicinal benefits of white radish?
Jul 11, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
White radish is rich in amylase and dietary fiber, which can promote gastrointestinal motility and aid in the digestion of less digestible foods such as meat and fatty foods, thereby relieving symptoms like abdominal distension and loss of appetite caused by overeating. White radish has a cool nature and a sweet taste, helping to moisten lung dryness and alleviate discomforts such as coughing and phlegm caused by lung heat. It also provides some relief for throat discomfort and dry cough caused by dryness during the autumn and winter seasons.
Generally speaking, the medicinal effects of white radish usually include promoting digestion and resolving food stagnation, moistening the lungs and relieving cough, promoting diuresis and bowel movements, promoting fluid production and relieving thirst, regulating qi and resolving phlegm. The specific analysis is as follows:
1. Promote digestion and resolve food stagnation: White radish contains abundant amylase and dietary fiber, which can promote gastrointestinal motility, aid digestion of hard-to-digest foods such as meat and oily foods, and alleviate symptoms such as abdominal distension and loss of appetite caused by overeating abdominal distension and loss of appetite.
2. Moisturize the lungs and relieve cough: White radish is cool in nature and sweet in taste; it can moisten lung dryness and alleviate discomforts such as coughing and phlegm caused by lung heat. It can also help relieve throat discomfort and dry cough caused by dryness during autumn and winter seasons.
3. Promote diuresis and bowel movements: The water and dietary fiber in white radish can increase intestinal moisture, promote defecation, stimulate urine production, assist in removing excess water and metabolic waste from the body, and improve constipation and mild edema.
4. Promote fluid production and relieve thirst: White radish contains a large amount of water and vitamins, which can replenish bodily fluids, relieve symptoms such as thirst and dry throat caused by febrile illness or dryness, and help maintain moisture in the mouth and throat.
5. Regulate qi and resolve phlegm: White radish can regulate qi circulation and resolve phlegm and dampness in the body. It can assist in improving symptoms such as chest tightness and excessive phlegm caused by phlegm-dampness blockage, and help maintain smooth respiration.
White radish can be consumed raw, cooked, or as juice for medicinal purposes. However, due to its cool nature, individuals with deficiency-cold in the spleen and stomach should avoid excessive consumption. If using white radish to regulate health, it should be consumed appropriately according to individual constitution. If symptoms persist, timely medical attention is advised.
