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Radish seed
莱菔子 〔萊菔子〕lái fú zǐ
Latin pharmacognostic name: Raphani Semen
Alternate English names: Chinese radish seed daikon seed
Alternate Chinese names: 莱服子 lái fú zǐ; 萝卜子 luó bǔ zǐ; 萝卜子 luó bó zǐ
Kingdom: Plant
Origin in PRC Pharmacopoeia: Raphanus sativus L. (PRC Pharmacopoeia)
Origin (other sources): Raphanus sativus L.
Use: Medicinal
Category: Food-dispersing agents
Properties: Sweet, acrid; balanced.
Channel entry: Lung, spleen, and stomach channels.
Indications:
- Disperses food and eliminates distension: Center burner qì stagnation due to food accumulation.
- Downbears qì and transforms phlegm: Phlegm-drool congestion; panting and cough due to repletion; oppression in the chest with reduced eating.
Dosage & Method: Oral: 6–10g in decoctions; reduce the dosage for pills. It is usually stir-fried to prolong shelf life and to prevent nausea.
Warnings: Prolonged use of lái fú zǐ wears on qì. It should not be used for qì vacuity or in the absence of food accumulation or phlegm stagnation. In addition, it should not be used with rén shēn (Ginseng Radix).
Quality: Large, plump, oily seeds are the best.
Product Area: Hénán, Shāndōng.
Etymology: The plant is originally of Western origin, and the Chinese 莱菔 lái fú is believed to be cognate with the Latin raphanus.
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