Health Benefits Of Radish Leaves
1. More Essential Vitamins And Minerals
The green parts of a radish contain more nutrients than the entire radish itself. They help provide a nutrient rich diet and also some important minerals like iron, calcium, folic acid, vitamin C and phosphorous that are essential for many bodily functions (1). Also, it contains vitamin A, which plays an important role in improving vision.
2. High In Dietary Fibers
Radish leaves contain more roughage than radishes themselves. Fiber is known to help the digestive process and the additional roughage aids in the same. Radish leaves help keep uncomfortable conditions like constipation and a bloated stomach in check. (2)
3. Increases Immunity And Reduces Fatigue
The high iron content of radish leaves makes it an ideal deterrent to fatigue. Radish leaves are high in minerals like Iron and phosphorous, which increase the body’s immunity. They also contain other essential minerals like vitamin C, vitamin A, thiamine, which help combat fatigue. Patients with anemia and low hemoglobin levels can benefit from ingesting radish leaves, as the iron present in the leaves will alleviate their medical conditions. (3)
4. Diuretic
Radish leaf juice is a natural diuretic. It helps dissolve stones and helps clear the urinary bladders. This property is also shared with radishes though, as they also exhibit diuretic properties. Radish leaves also demonstrate strong laxative properties that help ease constipation and a bloated stomach. (4)
5. Antiscorbutic
Radish leaves are antiscorbutic in characteristic. Put simply, they help prevent scurvy. It is hardly surprising to note as radish leaves do contain higher amounts of vitamin C than the roots and hence radish leaves exhibit stronger antiscorbutic properties than the roots. Note: Along with other leafy vegetables in your meal, consume radish leaves once a week.
6. Treats Piles
Radish leaves have been proven to help treat painful conditions like piles. Owing to the antibacterial properties that they contain, radish leaves help decrease swelling and inflammation. Powdered dry radish leaves mixed with equal amount of sugar and a hint of water can be mixed to form a paste. This paste can either be eaten or topically applied to the inflammation. (5)
7. Treat Jaundice
Radish leaves help treat diseases like jaundice, where the body suffers from hyperbilirubinemia (yellowing of skin). Radish leaves have been found to be efficient in reversing this condition. The leaves must be crushed and the extract must be sieved through a porous cloth. Having half a liter of this juice daily for ten days helps cure jaundice. Many herbal medicine stores stock radish leaf juice for people who don’t have time to extract the juice themselves. (6)
8. Rheumatism
Rheumatism is probably one of the most painful diseases in the world. The knee joints swell up and cause all kinds of discomfort. The extract of radish leaves mixed with an equal amount of sugar and a hint of water can be used to make a paste. This paste can be topically applied to the knee joints. The regular use of this paste can help relieve the pain and decrease the swelling. (7)
9. Helps Prevent Diabetes
Radish leaves have many properties that help them reduce blood sugar levels. Thus, radish greens are some of the most important foods to be included in a diabetic’s plan. Radish leaves help prevent diabetes by decreasing the already high blood glucose levels.
10. Detoxifying Agent
Radish leaves contain a host of essential nutrients. These nutrients and the antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of radish leaves help in detoxifying the body and flushing out toxins. (8) In addition, the presence of antioxidant-rich anthocyanin keeps the heart healthy, vitamin C, boosts collagen synthesis and helps to maintain skin elasticity. Is radish leaves good for the kidneys? Radish leaves are said to possess diuretic properties, which may help reduce the risk of kidney stone formation. However, limited data is available in this regard. Are radish leaves toxic? No, not all kinds of radish leaves are toxic, and they are edible. Do radish leaves cause gas? Radish leaves do not cause gas. Their powder is rich in dietary fiber, which helps improve digestion (9). Can I eat radish leaves raw? Yes. Radish leaves have the most delicate flavor and can be eaten raw. Can you use radish leaves in a smoothie? Radish leaves are tender and mild and blend perfectly with apples and bananas. Hence, you can use radish leaves in a smoothie.
