Whilst Daikon Root and Red Radish are closely related and are both members of the Brassicaceae family, they have distinct differences in size, flavor and culinary uses.

Because of the multitude of benefits it gives, Daikon Winter Radish, (Raphanus sativus), is considered a super food. It contains large amounts of enzymes that aid in fat and starch digestion as well as high levels of vitamin C, phosphorus and potassium. It also contains other phytonutrients that fight cancer. The extract from the seed is a powerful immune booster and cancer fighter.

Daikon Root Compared to Red Radish

Daikon Root is a large, elongated, white radish with a mild, white flesh. It often resembles a large carrot or parsnip in shape. Daikon is known for its milder, sweeter taste and larger size compared to red radish, making it suitable for a variety of dishes, particularly in Asian cuisine.

Red radishes are much smaller and typically round or oval in shape. They have a bright red or reddish-purple skin and crisp white flesh. They are spicier than daikon and are commonly used in salads and as a zesty garnish.

Daikon Seeds

Daikon Seeds have been used for centuries to aid in digestion, relieve fatigue and for their ability to cleanse the blood and body. They are an effective treatment for hangovers, sore throats, migraine headaches, congestion and edema (swelling caused by too much fluid trapped in the body’s tissues).

Daikon seeds are also effective against issues caused by rich diet or food stagnation, such as; acne, diabetes, bloating and cellulite. They can aid in weight loss and improve; kidney function, immune function and blood circulation. Topically, the seed oil is used to soften and heal dry, cracked skin. Modern medicine has also suggested that Daikon seeds have the ability to lower cholesterol and blood pressure.

How Daikon Seeds are Used

Daikon seeds can be sprouted and then consumed similar to other sprouted seeds. They can also be cooked with grains. An extract can be made from the seeds and then put into capsules or tincture.

Commonly, this extract is combined with other herbs and spices, such as; holly leaf, garlic and hawthorn, to lower blood pressure and improve overall cardiovascular health. Daikon seeds can also be combined with other common remedies, such as ginger and honey, to treat digestive issues.

The freeze dried sprouts, and less often the extract, also find a place in whole food multi-vitamins, and in commercially available whole food cleansing systems.

How Daikon Root is Used

Raw daikon root is a white fleshed radish that has a very mild taste and is very low in calories, coming in at around 6 calories per ounce. Daikon root is primarily used in Asian cuisine and traditional Chinese medicine. It is often served pickled.

A broth can be created by boiling Daikon Root with seaweed and then taken to help rid the body of dairy build up and animal toxins.

A tea made from the root is often used to aid digestion, fight disease and to treat both constipation and diarrhea.

Two thin slices of pickled and then sun dried daikon is the traditional end to a meal in Japan, as it is said to both cleanse the palate and aid in digestion of the meal.

Daikon can also be juiced. Laboratory testing has shown that the enzyme profile in daikon juice is very similar to the human digestive tract. It also contains phenolic compounds that block potentially dangerous reactions from occurring.

Daikon can Help with Kidney Function

Daikon, both in food and extract form, is a very effective diuretic. It causes the kidneys to process waste more effectively and thus excrete more urine. This helps to both improve kidney function and to treat edema. It also helps to clean the blood, eliminating the toxins through the kidneys, liver, sweat glands and digestive tract.

Because of this, Daikon helps food be digested more completely leading to less over eating and often weight loss.

Daikon for Migraine Relief

The same action that allows daikon to treat high blood pressure also allows it to help prevent and treat migraines. Migraines are caused by blood vessels in the brain constricting. Daikon helps to dilate those blood vessels. It works best as a preventive but can also be taken at the first signs of a migraine.

Daikon Habitat

Growth of the Daikon plant began in the Mediterranean but quickly spread East. Traditionally, it was grown across all of Asia, and still today it is especially common in China, Japan, Korea and the Philippines. Most recently, as its health benefits have become more widely known, it has come to Texas and California.

How to Take Daikon

Daikon, a type of radish with a mild flavor, is often consumed as a vegetable in various culinary dishes. There isn’t widespread availability of daikon supplements in the form of pills or capsules. The primary way to incorporate daikon into your diet is through fresh daikon root or as part of dishes.

The benefits of using daikon root will quickly be seen if you give this super food and amazing supplement a try.

To experience the potential health benefits of daikon, consider the following ways to include it in your diet:

Fresh Daikon:
Slice or shred daikon and use it in salads.
Add daikon to vegetable platters for a crunchy and refreshing component.
Enjoy daikon sticks with hummus or your favorite dip.

Pickled Daikon:
Daikon is commonly pickled in Asian cuisine. Pickled daikon adds a tangy and flavorful element to meals.

Cooked Dishes:
Stir-fry daikon with other vegetables and proteins.
Add daikon to soups, stews, or hot pot dishes.

Daikon Radish Kimchi:
Make or purchase daikon kimchi, a fermented and spicy side dish.

Juicing:
Include daikon in fresh vegetable juices or smoothies for a unique flavor.

Daikon Supplements Dosage

The amount of daikon seed extract varies widely between brands. The therapeutic dosage for blood pressure is 400-800 mg per day. Many commercially available blood pressure blends contain much less of the extract than this. When used in a commercial cleansing program, most contain between 50 and 100 mg of freeze dried sprouts.

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