radish seed

Radish seed (Chinese name: 莱菔子; pinyin: Lai Fu Zi) refers to the dried ripe seeds of the radish plant (Raphanus sativus). In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is used primarily to promote digestion, relieve abdominal distension and pain due to food stagnation, resolve phlegm and cough with copious expectoration, and lower blood pressure. The seeds are considered acrid and sweet in flavor with a neutral property. Pharmacological studies indicate that radish seed contains compounds such as sinapine (a choline ester), erucic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, brassicasterol, raphanin (an antimicrobial agent), and other phytosterols. Mechanistically it has demonstrated antibacterial effects against various bacteria and fungi; hypotensive effects via sinapine bisulfate; enhancement of gastrointestinal motility; expectorant and antitussive actions through β-sitosterol content; as well as mild anti-inflammatory properties. It is commonly administered orally in decoction or granule form for digestive complaints or respiratory symptoms associated with phlegm[2][5][6][7].

Other names

Lai Fu Zi莱菔子Semen RaphaniRaphani SemenRaphanus sativus seed