Showing posts with label Salad. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Salad. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Health Benefits of Radish




Radish, the well known part of your salad, is a root crop, pungent or sweet in taste with a lot of juice. Radishes can be white, red, purple or black, long cylindrical or round in shape. They are eate...n raw, cooked or pickled. The oil obtained from the seeds of radish is also used. The other parts of radish which are consumed are the leaves, the f
lowers, the pods and the seeds. The scientific name of radish is Raphanus Sativus which belongs to the Brassicaceae family. Radish is also known as Daiken in some parts of the world.

The benefits of radish against certain ailments and on certain body parts are listed below:

Jaundice: Radish is very good for the liver and the stomach and it is a very good detoxifier too, that is, it purifies blood. It is miraculously useful in jaundice as it helps removing bilirubin and also checks its production. It also checks destruction of red blood cells during jaundice by increasing supply of fresh oxygen in the blood. The black radish is more preferred in jaundice. The leaves of radish are also very useful in treatment of jaundice.

Piles: Radish is very rich in roughage, i.e. indigestible carbohydrates. This facilitates digestion, retains water, cures constipation (one of the main causes for piles) and thus gives relief in piles. Being a very good detoxifier, it helps heal up piles fast. Its juice also soothes the digestive and excretory system and this also relieves piles.

Urinary Disorders: Radishes are diurectic in nature, i.e. increase production of urine. Juice of radish also cures inflammation and burning feeling during urinating. It also cleans the kidneys and inhibits infections in kidneys and urinary system. Thus it helps a great deal in curing urinary disorders.

Weight Loss: Radishes are very filling, i.e. fills your stomach and satisfies your hunger easily without giving you many calories, as they are low in digestible carbohydrates, high in roughage and contain a lot of water. It is a very good dietary option for those determined to lose weight.

Cancer: Being a very good detoxifier and rich in vitamin-C, folic and anthocyanins, radish helps cure many types of cancer, particularly those of colon, kidney, intestines, stomach and oral cancer.

Leucoderma: The detoxifying and anti carcinogenic properties of radish make it useful in treatment of Leucoderma. The radish seeds are used in this case. They should be powdered and soaked in vinegar or ginger juice or cows urine and then applied on the white patches. Eating radish also aids treatment of Leucoderma.

Skin Disorders: Vitamin-C, phosphorus, zinc and some members of vitamin-B complex, which are present in radish, are good for skin. The water in it helps maintaining moisture of the skin. Smashed raw radish is a very good cleanser and serves as a very efficient face pack. Due to its disinfectant properties, radish also helps cure skin disorders, such as drying up, rashes, cracks etc. and also refreshes it.
Kidney Disorders: Being diurectic, cleanser and disinfectant, it helps cure many kidney disorders. Its diurectic properties help wash away the toxins accumulated in the kidneys. Cleansing properties clean kidneys up and lessens accumulation of toxins in the blood, thereby decreasing their concentration in the kidneys. Its disinfectant properties protect the kidneys from any infections too. Thus it is good for overall health of the kidneys.

Insect Bites: It has anti pruritic properties and can be used as an effective treatment for insect bites, stings of bees, hornets, wasps etc. Its juice also reduces pain and swelling and soothes the affected area.

Fever: It brings down the body temperature and relieves inflammation due to fever. Drink radish juice mixed with black salt. Being a good disinfectant, it also fights infections which cause fever, thereby helping cure it.

Respiratory Disorders, Bronchitis and Asthma: Radish is an anti congestive, i.e. it relieves congestion of respiratory system including nose, throat, wind-pipe and lungs, due to cold, infection, allergies and other causes. It is a good disinfectant and also rich in vitamins, which protect respiratory system from infections.

Liver&Gallbladder: Radish is especially beneficial for liver and gallbladder functions. It regulates production and flow of bile and bilirubin, acids, enzymes and removes excess bilirubin from the blood, being a good detoxifier. It also contains enzymes like myrosinase, diastase, amylase and esterase. It protects liver and gallbladder from infections and ulcers and soothes them.

Other Benefits: Apart from above benefits, radish is a good appetizer, mouth and breathe freshener, laxative, regulates metabolism, improves blood circulation, is a good treatment for headache, acidity, constipation, nausea, obesity, sore throat, whooping cough, gastric problems, gallbladder stones, dyspepsia etc.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Watercress Salad

recipe of month


For the vinaigrette: 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon honey or agave
1/2 shallot — skinned and minced or 2 spring onions, finely chopped
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh dill
4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
freshly ground black pepper to taste

For the salad:
1 small celeriac bulb (also called celery root, peeled
1 Gala or Granny Smith apple — halved and cored
1 bunch watercress, stalks trimmed

1/4 cup pine nuts — toasted
freshly ground black pepper to taste as garnish
Step 1: To make the vinaigrette – place the zest, lemon juice, honey, shallot, dill, oil, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Whisk until well blended and set aside.
Step 2: Using a mandolin if you have or a sharp knife if you don’t, cut the celeriac in julienne slices (matchstick size) and place in a large bowl. Do the same with the apple. Toss the julienned apple and celeriac with half the vinaigrette.
Step 3: Place the watercress leaves in the center of the serving plate. Top with a mound of celeriac/apple mixture. Drizzle with the balance of the vinaigrette, garnish with the pine nuts and freshly ground pepper to taste. Serve immediately for best crunchiness.
Serves 3-4.

Eating Raw?

Photo: made ''raw-vegan mayonnaise'' - healthy♪ 美味しく出来ました*


Fennel Salad




Fennel-Salad

As mouth-watering as it can get.


4 sweet organic oranges, peeled and sliced horizontally
1 cup black olives
1 cup sliced radish
2 fennel bulbs, washed and sliced thinly
Dressing:
1/3 cup lemon juice
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (organic if you can get)
Himalayan salt
Black pepper
Fresh thyme
Touch of fresh ginger, grated
Serves 6.
Toss the salad ingredients together and blend the dressing ingredients. Pour over the salad and allow to stand for half an hour to infuse the flavours.