Radish Seed
莱菔子 · Lái Fú Zǐ
Eases bloated bellies and clears chest congestion
What it does
Radish seed eases the bloated, distended feeling after overeating, and breaks up mucus in chest-stuck coughs. In TCM, it directs qi downward to clear food blockage and resolves stuck phlegm. It's gentle enough for everyday use and especially helpful after heavy or oily meals. One systematic review explores digestive support.
How to take it
Decoct 6–12g of toasted radish seeds in water for 20 minutes. Drink 1 cup after heavy meals to ease bloating, or during chest-stuck cough.
Try radish seed tea after a heavy or oily meal
Sprout for salads. Toast and grind to a spice. Crush into pickles and slaws for a peppery bite.
Sprout radish seeds on a windowsill, then toss into sandwiches and salads
Safety
- Generally very safe in moderate doses
- May reduce ginseng's effects. Don't combine without practitioner guidance
- Mild stomach upset possible at high doses
- Skip with weak digestion or chronic diarrhea
- Talk to your doctor before starting medicinal use, especially if you take medication
Where it comes from
Radish (Raphanus sativus) has been a Chinese garden staple for over 2,000 years. The seeds (Lái Fú Zǐ), distinct from the root, are harvested for medicine. Classical TCM appreciates radish seed for breaking up food retention, especially after heavy meals or in elderly patients with weak digestion. The seeds are mildly bitter-pungent and can be eaten lightly toasted as a digestive snack. One systematic review tracks its digestive effects.