If you are planning to grow radishes in your garden, then you may wish to learn more about them. Having basic knowledge about this plant can help you grow it successfully.
For those who love salads, radishes are an excellent addition. Besides, they also harbor tons of nutritional benefits. For example, you can consume it to fight off cancer.
If you are on a weight loss routine, this plant will help you attain your goal.
And if you need to improve your skin complexion, it has the right nutrients for that. Without further ado, here’s all the basic intel about radishes. Let’s start:
What’s an herb?
From this context, a herb refers to a seed-bearing plant without woody stems. Oftentimes, herbs would die after flowering.
From a general perspective, a herb is a massive category of plant. It excludes plants like vegetables that people consume for macronutrients.
Instead, they are plants we use for garnishing flavoring food, and for medicinal purposes.
What’s a shrub?
Shrub on the other hand is a woody plant with several stems. Take note, none of the stems are dominant over the other.
Oftentimes, they don’t grow past 10 feet. When it has dense branches and vegetation, a shrub can be known as a bush.
Is radish a shrub or an herb?
Radish is a herb, the name also refers to an herbaceous group of plants within the mustard family.
They are also known as Raphanus Sativus. This plant exists in various regions as biennial or annual.
And they are distinct thanks to their large and fleshy root. They have hermaphrodite flowers characterized by white to purple color and are in cluster form. For more details on radish, read on:
A biennial or annual plant, radish belongs to the mustard family. They are sought after for their large and fleshy taproot.
The popular radish is probably of Mediterranean or Asian origin. It’s globally cultivated. Radish roots are nutritious but low on calories.
Consumption of Radish
Speaking of nutrients, this herb is rich in phenolic compounds, vanillic acid, pyrogallol, and antioxidants.
Not to mention, the roots are an excellent source of vitamin C. When it comes to consumption, radish roots are best served raw.
While the roots are the main point of interest in this herb, you can also consume the leaves. They can be prepared and served as spinach. Besides serving it raw, the roots can be sauteed.
There are several varieties of radish. The spring types for instance. Their flesh is moderately firm, crisp, and mild.
On the other hand, we’ve got the winter and summer varieties. These types are somewhat large with pungent flesh. The winter varieties can e preserved throughout winter.
Oftentimes, radishes are cultivated as annuals. And harvesting takes place before they bloom. They have lobbed leaves directly attached to the root.
The flower would pop up during the first season. They are characterized by four petals with white or lilac veins. This herb comes in various shapes and sizes depending on the variety.
Some are tapered, cylindrical, long or spherical. The same goes with color. There are radishes with black, purple, red, pink, yellow, and white skin.
Also, they vary based on size, you could find some weighing a few grams and others weigh up to 2 pounds.
Varieties of Radish
As we mentioned earlier, there are several types of this herb, and we will have a look at some of them. Red radishes are the most popular kind.
They can also differ based on shape, size, and flavor besides colors. That aside, here are the common varieties of radishes:
- Sparkler
- Oval shaped
- Bright red
- Have a unique white tip
- The inside is white
- Rich with flavonoids and antioxidants
- Can fight free radicals in the body
- Earthy taste
- Helios
- Vibrant yellow skin
- White crisp flesh
- Olive shaped
- Pungent with a sweet taste
- Improves blood pressure
- White Hailstone
- Round shaped
- Mild taste
- Low in calories
- Rich with fiber
- White flesh
- Round Black
- Pungent flavor
- Coal-colored coat
- Round shaped
- Bitter flavor
- Anti-inflammatory properties
- Easter Egg
- Egg-like shaped
- Vibrant colors (pink, white, purple, and red)
- White flesh
- Snappy taste
- Boosts calcium intake
- Malaga
- Vivid violet skin
- Crisp white flesh
- Round shaped
- Tender foliage that’s good for salads
- Sweet and earthy taste
- Provides anthocyanins
- Source of antioxidants
- Table Radish
- Round shape
- White flesh
- Bright red coat
- Firm and crispy
- Mild peppery taste
- Rich in nutrients like Vitamin C
- Watermelon Radish
- Have a striking pale coat
- Vivid pink flesh that looks like a watermelon
- Sweet flavor
- Nutritious supplying you with copper, potassium, folate, and vitamin C.
- Cherry Belle
- Have a round shape
- The coat is bright red and smooth
- Interior is crisp white
- Mild sweet flavor
- Ready for harvest in fall and spring
- Full of gallic acid
- Protect the cell against oxidative damage
- Can minimize inflammation
- Green Meat
- Cylindrical shape
- Distinct hue
- Green colored close to the stalk
- Cream tips
- Has a sweet, mild, and spicy flavor
- Source of essential nutrients like Vitamin B9 or folate
- French Breakfast
- Crisp texture
- Reddish-pink bulb
- Mildly sweet flavor
- Good supply of vitamin C
- Versatile type
- Daikon Long White
- Mild flavor
- Cylindrical root
- White coat and flesh
- Source of folate, vitamin C, antioxidant, and Fiber
Health Benefits of Radishes
By now, you must have tasted one or several types of radishes. If you love salads, then you are aware of the unique flavor it adds to the blend. But did you know the tons of health benefits that this herb has in store? Well, read on to find out:
Prevents Cancer
For starters, this herb is rich in antioxidants and detoxifiers that help fight against cancerous cells. Consume it helps the body resist oral, stomach, intestinal, kidney, and colon cancer.
Stronger immune system
The immune system is the first guard against foreign agents or diseases getting into your body.
As such, it plays a critical role when it comes to our survival. Being a good source of vitamin C, consuming it improves the capabilities of your immune system.
It also improves metabolism and it’s vital to various body processes.
Blood detoxification
We consume a lot of chemicals daily unknowingly. Whether it’s the drink we take or the snacks we can’t do without.
But when you consume radish, you can improve the vitality of your liver. They are rich in detoxifiers that can help your liver fight bad chemicals.
By cleansing your blood, your body can enjoy a continuous supply of clean oxygen.
Improve blood pressure
Rich in potassium, this herb can help you manage blood pressure. It supports collagen generation, which helps improve the health of blood vessels.
Additionally, they can improve the intake and supply of oxygen throughout the body.
Helps your digestive system
Full of fiber and roughage, radishes can improve bowel movement.
It can boost the performance and health of your digestive system.
Promote a healthy cardiovascular system
Radishes are rich in anthocyanins. This type of flavonoid is what gives this herb the red color.
Additionally, they can improve the health of your heart. Not to mention, it’s an excellent option if you are pursuing a healthy diet.
Improves hydration
95% of radish is water. As such, it’s an excellent source of water. Consuming it can help keep your body hydrated.
With good hydration, your mood and level of energy in the body improves naturally.
Improves skin complexion
If you want to have a vibrant skin complexion, you are in the right place. Radishes are the best solution if your skin has been experiencing rashes, acne, and dryness.
Not to mention, the water content in this herb can help hydrate your skin. As such, it becomes smooth and tender.
Besides consuming it, you can use radishes directly on the skin. Simply crush a fresh radish in a clean bowl and then apply it as a mask on your face.
Eliminate fungus
While fundus are part of our digestive system, some kind are harmful, especially when they overgrow.
Candida albicans for example can generate yeast infection. Luckily, radishes have antifungal agents that can help contain or eliminate fungus from our body.
Weight management
Losing weight is not an easy affair. But Radishes can help you with that.
With no fat and fewer calories, it can help you stay full longer allowing your body to burn stored fats. Not to mention, it can also supply you with vitamin C.
Conclusion
Finally, we’ve established that radish is a herb and not a shrub. And its physical characteristics can attest to this. But that’s not all, it’s also a root vegetable that’s highly sought after for its nutritional benefits.
It comes in different varieties and gets classified based on size, color, flavor, and mode of cultivation. And if you are a gardener, you can brighten your garden with a few types of this herb.
FAQs
Is Radish a tuber or root?
Well, radish is a root vegetable from the Brassicaceae family. It’s edible and has been cultivated for centuries. Talking of that, it dates back to before Roman Times.
What type of plant is a radish?
This is a herb from the mustard family. It’s a biennial or annual plant cultivated for its nutritious succulent taproot.