Radish Seed – 1 lb (454 g)

Radish Seed, known in Chinese as 莱菔子 (Láifúzǐ) and scientifically as Semen Raphani, is a valued herb in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This TCM herb has been traditionally used to support natural wellness, maintain vitality, and encourage holistic balance. At TCMforyou.com, we provide premium-quality Radish Seed carefully sourced to preserve its therapeutic properties.

As a herbal supplement, Radish Seed helps promote overall well-being and supports natural energy, immunity, and balance. Integrating this herb into your wellness routine offers a gentle, time-tested approach to enhancing daily health. Whether brewed as tea, added to herbal remedies, or taken as part of a TCM formula, Radish Seed provides a safe, natural way to experience the benefits of traditional Chinese medicine.

Trusted for centuries, Radish Seed has been used in TCM to harmonize the body and encourage optimal functioning of key systems. At TCMforyou, we prioritize authenticity and quality. Each batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure purity and potency, delivering an herbal product aligned with traditional practices.

Experience the natural support of Radish Seed, promoting immune health, vitality, and holistic well-being. Embrace the wisdom of TCM and incorporate this gentle, effective herbal remedy into your daily wellness journey.

[Overview] This herb is also known as Lu Fu Zi or Radish Seed. It is the mature seed of Raphanus sativus L., a plant of the Cruciferae family. It is produced throughout China. The seeds are harvested in spring and summer when the siliques are fully mature by cutting the above-ground parts, drying them in the sun, threshing to obtain the seeds, and removing stems, leaves, and impurities before storing in a dry place.

[Properties] The taste is pungent and sweet; the nature is neutral. It enters the Spleen, Stomach, Lung, and Large Intestine meridians.

[Actions] Promotes digestion and relieves food stagnation; descends Qi and transforms phlegm.

[Applications] 1. Used for epigastric and abdominal distension, belching with acid regurgitation, abdominal pain, and diarrhea caused by food accumulation and Qi stagnation. Commonly combined with hawthorn (Shan Zha), medicated leaven (Shen Qu), and tangerine peel (Chen Pi), as in Bao He Wan formula. If food stagnation is accompanied by Qi deficiency, it is combined with Atractylodes macrocephala (Bai Zhu), as in Da An Wan formula.
2. Used for cough with abundant phlegm and chest tightness due to phlegm obstruction and Qi stagnation, sometimes combined with food accumulation. Often used with Perilla seed (Su Zi) and white mustard seed (Bai Jie Zi), as in San Zi Yang Qin Tang formula.
It is generally considered that Ginseng should not be used with Semen Raphani; however, for Qi stagnation with abdominal distension and weakness, the two can be combined. For deficiency-induced asthma and distension, small amounts of Semen Raphani are often added when using Ginseng to tonify without causing stagnation.
Additionally, in recent years, Semen Raphani preparations have been used for primary hypertension with significant blood pressure-lowering effects.

[Dosage and Administration] Internal use: decoct 4.5–9 g, or use in pills or powders; stir-frying is recommended. External use: appropriate amount, ground into powder and applied as a topical paste.

[Cautions] Use with caution in patients without food stagnation, phlegm obstruction, or middle Qi deficiency.

[Modern Research] 1. Chemical constituents: The seeds mainly contain mustard oil glycosides and fatty oils. The oil contains large amounts of erucic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, campesterol, raphanin, and also β-sitosterol.
2. Pharmacological effects: Raphanin shows significant inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus and Escherichia coli; aqueous extracts inhibit skin fungi. Alcohol extracts of Semen Raphani have good antihypertensive effects. Various processed products of Semen Raphani enhance isolated rabbit ileum rhythmic contractions and inhibit gastric emptying in mice. Seed extracts containing β-sitosterol have certain antitussive and expectorant effects and can prevent atherosclerosis.
3. Clinical reports: (1) Habitual constipation: 50 g of Semen Raphani stir-fried until yellow, taken in two doses with warm water. Among 67 cases treated, 49 cured (73.1%), 12 markedly effective (17.9%), 5 improved (7.4%), 1 ineffective (1.5%). [Shi Zhen Guo Yi Guo Yao, 2003,14(8):455]
(2) Postoperative abdominal distension: 250 g of Semen Raphani placed in a small homemade cloth bag, tightly sealed, heated in a household microwave (900W) on high for 2–3 minutes, then applied warm around the patient’s navel for 20–30 minutes once daily. Among 60 cases treated, 38 markedly effective, 22 effective, total effective rate 100%. [Modern Journal of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, 2003,12(21):2361]
(3) Hypertension: Treatment group (70 cases) took Semen Raphani tablets, 5 tablets per dose (each tablet containing 5 g raw herb), twice daily, some thrice daily; control group (20 cases) took reserpine 0.25 mg three times daily. Results: treatment group had 31 markedly effective, 29 effective, 10 ineffective; total effective rate 85.7%. Control group had 9 markedly effective, 4 effective, 7 ineffective; total effective rate 65%. No significant difference between groups (P>0.05), but treatment group showed highly significant reductions in diastolic and systolic blood pressure before and after treatment (P<0.001), while control group showed no significant changes (P>0.05). [Hebei Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1999,14(3):13]
(4) Elderly hyperlipidemia: Semen Raphani stir-fried until seeds pop, ground into fine powder, taken 3 times daily, 9 g each time after meals, for 30 days per course, 2–3 courses recommended. Among 38 cases treated, cholesterol decreased by 38%, triglycerides decreased by 50%. [Zhejiang Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1995,30(11):494]
(5) Traumatic synovitis of the knee joint: 50 g Semen Raphani crushed and mixed with 25 ml vinegar into a paste, applied to affected area, changed every other day. Among 80 cases treated, effective rate was 98.3%. [Chinese Journal of Orthopedics, 1990,(4):46]