Raphani sativi radix

Raphanie sativi radix, also known as black radish root, is a drug monographed by Commission E and used in herbal medicinal products for the treatment of dyspeptic disorders and upper respiratory catarrhs.

Rhaphanie sativi radix contains glucosinolates (mustard oil glycosides, including raphanin), allyl and butyl legume oil. However, steam-volatile mustard oil and essential oil are only released after enzymatic splitting. The mustard oils are responsible for the pungent taste of the root.

Rhaphani sativi radix promotes secretion in the upper gastrointestinal tract and also has a choleretic, antimicrobial and motility-promoting effect.

Furthermore, Raphanus sativus contains sinigrin , which shows anticarcinogenic effects in prostate cancer, possibly by inducing apoptosis (Nair AB et al. 2020).

Medicine:

• The black radish root is used for dyspeptic complaints. It is also used for catarrhal infections of the upper respiratory tract.

Cosmetics:

• Raphanus sativus extract is the INCI name for the drug derived from the radish root.

The average daily dose of Raphani sativi radix is between 50 and 100 ml pressed juice. The application period should not exceed 6 weeks (Commission E).

There are no known adverse effects.

If cholelithiasis is present, the patient should refrain from taking it.

1. Ivanovics G et al. (2017) Isolation and properties of raphanin, an antibacterial substance from radish seed. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 66:625-630.

2. Kim KH et al. (2014) 4-Methylthio-butanyl derivatives from the seeds of Raphanus sativus and their biological evaluation on anti-inflammatory and antitumor activities. J Ethnopharmacol 151:503-508.

3. Nair AB et al. (2020) Development of HPLC Method for Quantification of Sinigrin from Raphanus sativus Roots and Evaluation of Its Anticancer Potential. Molecules 25: 4947.

4. Rosztóczy I (1968) Effect of raphanin on the multiplication of some RNA and DNA viruses in, and interferon production by, cultured cells. Acta Microbiol Acad Sci Hung 15:311-316.

5. Schilcher H (2016) In: Leitfaden Phytotherapie, Urban & Fischer Verlag Munich, pp. 263 f.
6. Yi G et al. (2016) Root glucosinolate profiles for screening of Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) Genetic Resources. J Agric Food Chem 64:61-70.