Black radish(Raphanus sativus var. Niger) belongs to the cruciferous vegetable family, and its close cousin is the popular radish. It is grown as a vegetable, although it is worth knowing thatblack radish has also been used in medicine. Learnhealing properties of black radishand find out thatgrowing black radish from seedsis quite simple. We explain how to care for black radish in the garden and what requirements this vegetable has.
Black radish
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What does black radish look like?
Black radish is a plant with a large, bulbous rootThe root swelling of black radish is much larger than that of the more popular radish. The skin of the black radish is black but the flesh inside is white. Above the ground, the plant produces a dense rosette of rough hairy, lyre, pinnate leaves. Later in their development, a tall stalk grows out of them, at the top of which blooms with purple or white flowers. The fruit is an elongated shell.
The cultivation mainly includeslate varieties of black radish , also called winter radish, such as: 'Murzynka', 'Runder Schwarzer Winter' or 'Black Ball'. In addition to the late varieties of black radish, we can also find early varieties of white radish, such as the summer radish 'Agata'. Black radish contains less water and is less dense than white radish, and at the same time it is a bit better for storage.
Black radish - healing properties
The healing properties of black radishcan be found in its root. It contains sulfur compounds, raffanine, rafanol, vitamin C, B provitamins and numerous minerals.
Black radish root extracts and juiceact cholagogue and cholagogue, facilitate the flow of bile into the duodenum. They regulate the bowel movements and stimulate the secretion of digestive juices.Black radish root extracts have a strong antibacterial effectin the respiratory and urinary tract and in the digestive tract.
Black radish
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Medicines with black radish rootswill help people with liver inflammation, insufficient production and stagnation of bile, bronchitis. In homeopathy in neuralgia, diarrhea. In sensitive people, black radish juice may cause irritation and congestion of the gastric mucosa. Black radish is also a valuable vegetable to stimulate digestion
In folk medicineblack radish juice with honeywas used in bronchitis, urolithiasis, anemia. Due to the significant amount of vitamin C, it is still considered an effective means of strengthening the body's immunity.
Black radish - grown from seeds
Black radish has the same growing requirements as the well-knownradish. Thus, even an amateur gardener can handle its cultivation! Radish comes in early, summer and late varieties. It can be cultivated as a forecrop or an aftercrop.
Black radish requires sunny positions , fertile, permeable soil, rich in nutrients. It can be grown after vegetables such as potatoes, beets, and cucumbers. Immediately before the start of cultivation, it is worth enriching the soil with compost, and during the growing season, fertilize with natural fertilizer such as biohumus.
Early radish seeds are sown at the turn of March and April. On the other hand,late varieties of black radish can be sown in June-July for autumn harvesting from September to OctoberSeeds are sown in rows every 40-50 cm. After forming a thickening, the plants are interrupted leaving them in a row, early varieties every 15-20 cm, late varieties 10-12 cm. During the growth of radish, water should be controlled, aslack of water may cause choking of the rootsAdditionally, the soil should be loosened between the rows and weeds should be controlled.
MSc Eng. Joanna Białowąs
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