Five Daikon Tonics

Here are five great daikon kitchen remedies for  asthma, bronchitis, cold relief, indigestion and weight loss. 

The medicinal properties of daikon are impressive. And as you’ll see below, subtle preparation differences create different results. For example, when using daikon juice for asthma add ginger and don’t boil it. But for chronic bronchitis, bring the juice just to the boil and do not add ginger.

Asthma Remedy 
1 cup daikon juice
2 tablespoons fresh ginger juice
Honey to taste

Finely grate daikon and press it with your fingertips; it yields a surprising amount of juice (the fresher the vegetable, the more juice it yields).

To make ginger juice, place finely grated fresh ginger in the palm of your hand and squeeze to extract the juice. (The fresher the ginger, the more juice it yields.)

Combine the juices in a small saucepan and warm over medium heat (do not boil). Sweeten with honey. Drink, hot, once a day. Makes 1 serving.

Chronic Bronchitis Remedy (Sweetened Daikon Juice)
2 cups fresh daikon juice
Honey to taste
Finely grate daikon and press it with your fingertips; it yields a surprising amount of juice (the fresher the vegetable, the more juice it yields).

Combine the juice and honey in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and immediately remove from the heat. Drink, warm, twice a day. Makes 2 servings.

Cold Relief Remedy 
1 medium daikon, coarsely chopped (about 2 cups)
2 cups bone stock, vegetable stock or water
6 scallions
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
Sea salt to taste

Place the daikon and 2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover the pan and simmer for 5 minutes.

Remove all but the white heads of the scallions (reserve the greens for another use) and finely slice them. Add the scallions and ginger to the daikon. Lightly season with sea salt and simmer, uncovered, for 10 minutes, or until the water has reduced by about one third. Serve hot. Makes 2 servings.

Digestive Aid Remedy
2 tablespoons finely grated daikon
2 tablespoons finely grated carrot
¼ teaspoon fresh ginger juice*
Small pinch sea salt

In a small bowl combine the grated daikon, carrot, ginger juice and salt. Serve in a small condiment dish or divide it into 1 tablespoon servings on individual small plates. Makes 4 servings.

Weight Reduction Remedy 

Note: Daily consumption of mushrooms is not recommended for children or people who are frail or weak.
1/2 cup chopped wood-ear mushrooms (fresh or reconstituted)
2-inch long piece of daikon, chopped (about 1 cup)
3 cups bone stock, stock or water
1/4 teaspoon sea salt

Place the mushroom, daikon, stock and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain into a bowl and discard the vegetables. Season with salt. Drink the broth, hot, twice a day, between meals.

This remedy may be used for several months or until you achieve your desired weight loss (discontinue in the case of ill health). Makes 2 servings.

May you be well nourished,

Rebecca Wood