# Mulaka

> Mulaka (Raphanus sativus) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Sulforaphane analogs are well absorbed. Vitamin C in fresh radish is well absorbed. Raphanol has moderate GI absorption. Kshara preparations have excellent mineral bioavailability due to alkaline form.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Raphanus sativus

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Mulaka |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Katu, Tikta | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu, Tikshna | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Svarasa (fresh juice), Churna (seed/root powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsules, Tablets, Kshara (alkali preparation), Fresh root (dietary)

**Standard Dosage:** 10-20 mL fresh radish juice daily; 3-6 g seed/root powder per day; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; Kshara 0.5-1 g with appropriate Anupana

**Bioavailability:** [Isothiocyanates](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#isothiocyanates) from glucosinolate hydrolysis (by [myrosinase](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#myrosinase)) have good bioavailability (~60-70%). [Sulforaphane](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sulforaphane) analogs are well absorbed. Vitamin C in fresh radish is well absorbed. Raphanol has moderate GI absorption. Kshara preparations have excellent mineral bioavailability due to alkaline form.

**Optimal Timing:** Morning on empty stomach for digestive and detoxification effects; fresh juice before meals; Kshara after meals with buttermilk

**Standardized Extract:** Fresh juice standardized to minimum 0.5% total isothiocyanates. Seed extract (8:1 hydroalcoholic) with minimum 2% [glucosinolates](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#glucosinolates). Mulaka Kshara with defined alkalinity (pH 10-12, [potassium](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#potassium) content minimum 30%). Freeze-dried juice powder with preserved myrosinase activity.

**Shelf Life:** Fresh root: 7-14 days refrigerated. Fresh juice: 4-6 hours. Dried powder: 18 months. Capsules: 24 months. Kshara: 36+ months (stable alkaline salt).

**Storage:** Fresh roots at 2-5 deg C. Juice must be used immediately or preserved. Dried preparations below 25 deg C in airtight containers. Kshara in airtight glass containers, absolutely protected from moisture (highly hygroscopic alkaline salt). Seed powder in nitrogen-flushed packaging.

**Marker Compounds:** Sulforaphene, 4-Methylthio-3-butenyl isothiocyanate (MTBI), Glucoraphasatin, Raphanol, Raphanin, Potassium carbonate (in Kshara), Erucic acid (in seed oil)

### Extraction Methods

- Fresh juice extraction
- Aqueous decoction of roots and seeds
- Kshara preparation (incineration and alkali extraction)
- Hydroalcoholic extraction of seeds
- Steam distillation for volatile isothiocyanates
- Freeze drying of juice

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Pippali](/herb/pippali/) (bioenhancer and respiratory synergy)
- [Haritaki](/herb/haritaki/) (digestive combination)
- Chitraka (Agni-deepana, digestive fire kindling)
- [Apamarga](/herb/apamarga/) Kshara (urolithiasis management)
- [Yavakshara](/herb/yavakshara/) (acid-neutralizing and digestive)

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/mulaka/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.