Ravishing Radishes!

photo by ana traina

Radishes were first grown thousands of years ago in ancient China, Egypt and Greece. This spicy, colorful vegetable soon became beloved in many cultures. In fact, in ancient Greece, radishes were so highly regarded that gold replicas were made of them. The Greek name for the radish, Raphamus, means "quickly appearing," which perfectly describes their reputation for being the first vegetable to sprout in a spring garden.

Radishes stimulate the appetite, are good for the hair and nails, teeth, gums and nerves. They help speed up recuperation from nervous exhaustion. Many have been helped in cases of constipation by eating radishes. 

Lung disorders such as whooping cough, asthma, and bronchitis have been treated with the radish and its leaves. Chronic liver and gallbladder disease including gallstone and kidney stone afflictions have responded by eating the whole plant. 

A particularly tasty way of taking radish as a medicine for breathing difficulties is recorded by the Turkish Ministry of Culture. It is:

"Radish is carved and filled with honey. A small hole is opened under radish and same is placed on the mouth of a vessel. It is kept overnight, and then the leaked honey is eaten."

White Radish Tea (For Coughs)

Description - White radishes are often called daikon in supermarkets. Use a fresh white radish for this tea. The flavor is quite strong so you will only need to use a small piece.

Ingredients:

• 1 inch long piece of white radish

• 2 teaspoon of Hairy Crab Oolong Tea

• 1 pinch of salt

• 3 cups (850ml) of water

Instruction:

1. Cut and peel a 1 inch piece of radish and discard the skin.

2. Put radish, salt, and tea into teapot.

3. Pour boiling water into teapot.

4. Allow tea to stand for 2 to 3 minutes.

5. Pour tea into cup and allow to cool slightly before drinking.

Last bits of odds and Ends: 

If you're looking for a truly spectacular way to enjoy radishes, try this eye-awakening Dutch breakfast: Slice radishes onto lightly buttered bread and bite in.

Night of the Radishes - Mexico has a famous Christmas Radish festival which is one of the most unique and spectacular festivals in the world. Huge radishes are grown but not to be eaten as they are pumped up with all kinds of things to make them grow huge. On the 23rd of December they hold "The Night of the Radishes" where competitions are held for nativity scenes sculptured and carved from giant radishes. Even children take knife to radish with painstaking concentration during competitions wanting to be the prized and honored Christmas radish winner.

In the Middle Ages it was associated symbolically with quarreling and conflict. Like the turnip, it was said to be related to evil spirits, thus radishes and turnips were sometimes blessed - (i.e., made harmless).