Radish seeding.

Radish Sowing: description, cultivation and medicinal properties

Radish (Raphanus sativus) is an annual or biennial herbaceous plant of the cruciferous family, which is widely known for its medicinal properties and is used in cooking. Radish is up to 90 cm high and in the 1st year of life it forms leaves and roots weighing from 200 g to 4-5 kg, in the 2nd year - peduncles and seeds. The stem is erect, branched.

Radish leaves are varied in shape: the lower ones are petiolate, the upper ones are alternate, whole. The plant blooms in April-May, while the flowers are white and collected in a raceme. The radish fruit is a large spindle-shaped pod with small black spherical seeds, which ripens in May-June.

In the territory of the former USSR, radish is widespread as a garden crop. Prefers loamy soils, but can also grow in slightly acidic soils. Seeds are sown in spring to a depth of 3-3.5 cm, and the crop is harvested before frost.

In addition, radish is a popular product in cooking. It is used to prepare vitamin-rich salads and various seasonings for meat and fish dishes.

However, the main advantage of radish is its medicinal properties. The roots of this plant are rich in fiber, essential oils containing sulfur, sugars, vitamins C and Bi, purine bases, potassium, magnesium and other minerals, as well as a bactericidal substance - lysozyme.

Radish preparations stimulate appetite, stimulate the secretion of digestive juices, have a diuretic and choleretic effect, affect metabolism, are an expectorant, sedative and antimicrobial agent. Radish is used for acute and chronic gastritis, especially when the secretory function of the gastrointestinal tract is reduced.

Due to the large amount of fiber, radish roots stimulate intestinal motility and increase the secretion of digestive juices, which makes them successfully used for chronic inflammation of the small and large intestines, chronic hepatitis, and developing cirrhosis of the liver.

In addition, radish helps lower blood cholesterol levels, so it is recommended for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases. It may also be beneficial for people with diabetes due to its low glycemic index.

In general, radish is a very useful product that can be used both in cooking and in medicine. However, before using radish for medicinal purposes, you should consult your doctor, especially if you have any chronic diseases or allergic reactions to certain foods.