Daikon (White Radish) — Superfood for cutting grease and aiding digestion
Groceries explained from a Chinese Medicine lens.
Acupuncturists buying groceries shares Chinese medicine food wisdom.
If you have had your fair share of Asian cuisine, you will most likely have tasted Daikon aka white radish before.
It is used as a side dish in Korean BBQ, an essential pickled topping in Taiwanese braised pork over rice, a pickled side dish in Japanese Bentos, a major topping for Chinese spare rib soup, etc. The list goes on forever!
Well, guess what? Daikon is not just there as an appetizer because it’s tasty. There’s actually a very specific purpose in Asian cuisines — to cut the grease, aid digestion, and reduce phlegm production.
Daikon radish is known for its ability to support the digestive system, especially if you’re suffering from indigestion. This happens when you either have a weak digestive system (think bloating all the time) or simply when you’ve just eaten too much…
Undigested food gets stuck in your intestines, causing symptoms like bloating, headaches, irritability, hot body, heavy body, loss of appetite, bad breath, sweats…
This is why a lot of Asian foods incorporate the use of daikon with heavier meats or as an appetizer before the big meal.
Daikon is a very cleansing and “decongesting” food, and for that reason, it’s used to also address the side effects of chemo or radiation therapy.
Next time you go to a large BBQ gathering or try that massive Las Vegas heart attack burger/buffet, remember to bring some pickled daikons.
🚨Word of Caution: Since it is quite cooling in its energetic property, we don’t recommend eating it during your menses (for menstruating women)! We also don’t recommend it for people who tend to feel cold to the core all the time and suffer from loose stools.
Who wore it best? COVID shutdown all our favorite clothing stores and we got desperate at 99 Ranch. Trying on new items!
We’re showing off our “蘿蔔腿“ or “radish legs,” a nickname in Chinese to describe short stubby legs.
Happy daikon hunting! Let us know what grocery item you want us to explain next in the comments below :)
Xoxo,
Acupuncturists Buying Groceries (Rachele & Steph)
