What were radishes thought to cure?

By Chelsie Vandaveer

January 12, 2004

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

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Although the ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans cultivated radishes (Raphanus sativus Linnaeus), it is thought they did not enter English gardening until the mid-1500s. In The Herbal (1597), John Gerard included 4 cultivated radishes and a wild weedy type, Raphanus raphanistrum. Gerard recognized their medicinal qualities taking from the first century writings of Pliny the Elder and Dioscorides and the second century works of Galen.

Radish Mixture Varied, All-Season Harvest Tasty mix of Champion, Crimson Giant, French Breakfast, White Icicle and Giant White Globe. 25-30 DAYS.

Fast-growing radishes often are the first ready to harvest crop of the season. So easy- even children can plant and care for them!

Tip: Sow a few seeds with slow-sprouting carrots to mark the rows so you know where to weed. Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys! [Radish Seed] [Vegetable Seeds]

"Radish doth manifestly heat and drie, open and make thin by reason of the biting quality that ruleth in it." Therefore Gerard recommended radishes used against diseases of a cold and watery cause, "...it is good against an old cough; and to make thin, thicke and grosse flegme which sticketh in the chest."

Radish decoctions were used as a diuretic especially to help those suffering from kidney stones. "...Radish provoketh urine, and dissolveth cluttered sand, and driveth it forth...." Of course, Gerard had his own particular recipe. "The root sliced and laid over night in white or Rhenish (Rhine) wine, and drunke in the morning...but in taste and smell it is very lothsome."

Gerard did not recommend eating radishes except "...to procure appetite", radishes he felt "...troublesome to the stomacke...they cause belchings...." But he did consider them good for cosmetic purposes. For the complexion "The root stamped with the meale of Darnell (a grass, Lolium temulentum) and a little white wine vinegar, taketh away all blew and blacke spots, and brused blemishes of the face." And to cover that bald spot "The root stamped with hony and the powder of a sheepes heart dried, causeth haire to grow in short space."

Smith Seeds Ltd. of New Zealand has a great photograph of a field with alternating rows of two varieties of radishes. This method increases cross-pollination and hence the production of hybrid seeds. To view the photograph of a beautiful field, click on the link:

http://www.seedquest.com/seed/multiplication/expo/smithseeds/qualitycontrol.htm

killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~

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Champion Radish

Gurney's Seed and Nursery®

Still Tender at Silver-Dollar Size

Gurney's Choice Smooth and round, with bright scarlet skin and crisp, white flesh. Champion Radishes size up in a hurry, is slow to become pithy. 25 DAYS.

Fast-growing radishes often are the first ready to harvest crop of the season. So easy- even children can plant and care for them! Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys! [Radish Seed] [Vegetable Seeds]

Tip: Sow a few seeds with slow-sprouting carrots to mark the rows so you know where to weed.

Comments: Late to get pithy. Strong tops for upland soils. Stays crisp and sweet. Noted for record yields. Easy to grow and extra hardy. Outstanding keeping ability. Large Cherry Bell type.

French Breakfast Radish

Gurney's Seed and Nursery®

Oblong Shape, Snowy Tips

The French Breakfast Radish is early and really crunchy! Slim, 3-inch bicolor roots are cool and mild. 25 DAYS.

Fast-growing radishes often are the first ready to harvest crop of the season. So easy- even children can plant and care for them! Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys!

[Radish Seed] [Vegetable Seeds]

Tip: Sow a few seeds with slow-sprouting carrots to mark the rows so you know where to weed.

Comments: Small, slender taproot. Mildly pungent flavor.

White Icicle Radish

Gurney's Seed and Nursery®

Uniform Size and Shape

White Icicle Radish adds spice without the bite! Torpedo-shaped, 5-inch roots are white, crisp and mild, with easy-bunch tops. 30 DAYS.

Fast-growing radishes often are the first ready to harvest crop of the season. So easy- even children can plant and care for them! Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys! [Radish Seed] [Vegetable Seeds]

Tip: Sow a few seeds with slow-sprouting carrots to mark the rows so you know where to weed.

Comments: Quick, delicious and very dependable. Stores well. Uniform roots taper to a point. Easy to force. Holds quality well. Stays crisp and mild. Medium-short tops.

Cherry Belle Radish

Gurney's Seed and Nursery®

Keeps Its Crunch

Tasty cherry-redCherry-Belle Radishes stay mild, stores for weeks in the refrigerator. Stays crisp, never becomes pithy. 21 DAYS.

Fast-growing radishes often are the first ready to harvest crop of the season. So easy- even children can plant and care for them! Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys!

[Radish Seed] [Vegetable Seeds]

Tip: Sow a few seeds with slow-sprouting carrots to mark the rows so you know where to weed.

Comments: Early variety for bunching. Good in muck soils. Good keeper. Can plant all summer long. Doesn't get pithy. Produces short tops even in heat.

German Giant Parat Radish

Gurney's Seed and Nursery®

Red Globes as Big as Baseballs

German Giant Parat Radishes never gets too hot or fibrous. Ready at marble size, but sweet and mild at any size. 29 DAYS.

Fast-growing radishes often are the first ready to harvest crop of the season. So easy- even children can plant and care for them! Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys! [Radish Seed] [Vegetable Seeds]

Tip: Sow a few seeds with slow-sprouting carrots to mark the rows so you know where to weed.

Comments: Red Globes as Big as Baseballs. Never gets too hot or fibrous. Ready at marble size, but sweet and mild no matter how large they get. A few feed a crowd! Approximately 250 seeds per packet. 29 days.

Japanese Daikon Radish

Gurney's Seed and Nursery®

Really Big and Slow to Bolt

Largest radish you can grow! Measures 3 inches across, up to 19 inches long. Use in stir-fry, salads or relish. 45 DAYS.

Fast-growing radishes often are the first ready to harvest crop of the season. So easy- even children can plant and care for them! Click here - $20 off your first order at Gurneys!

[Radish Seed] [Vegetable Seeds]

Tip: Sow a few seeds with slow-sprouting carrots to mark the rows so you know where to weed.

Comments: Can be sown successively every 7-10 days. Not suitable for long day conditions. Fine quality. Plant midsummer for fall crop.