Mulaka
Raphanus sativus
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.
| Botanical name | Raphanus sativus |
|---|---|
| Family | Brassicaceae |
| Order | Brassicales |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 7678610 · Wikidata Q7224565 · NCBI Taxonomy 3726 |
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 from glucosinolate hydrolysis (by myrosinase) have good bioavailability (~60-70%). 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. Mulaka Kshara with defined alkalinity (pH 10-12, 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 (bioenhancer and respiratory synergy)
- Haritaki (digestive combination)
- Chitraka (Agni-deepana, digestive fire kindling)
- Apamarga Kshara (urolithiasis management)
- Yavakshara (acid-neutralizing and digestive)
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Other clinical studies and reviews4
- 2024. Comparison of Anti-Inflammatory and Antibacterial Properties of Raphanus sativus L. Leaf and Root Kombucha-Fermented ExtractsInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 38891811 · doi:10.3390/ijms25115622
- 2019. Deciphering the Nutraceutical Potential of Raphanus sativus-A Comprehensive OverviewNutrients. PMID 30769862 · doi:10.3390/nu11020402
- 2017. Radish (Raphanus sativus) and DiabetesNutrients. PMID 28906451 · doi:10.3390/nu9091014
- 2004. Raphanus sativus (Radish): their chemistry and biologyTheScientificWorldJournal. PMID 15452648 · doi:10.1100/tsw.2004.131
Laboratory and animal studies8
- 2024. Whole-Genome Sequencing and Analysis of Tumour-Forming Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) LineInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 38892425 · doi:10.3390/ijms25116236
- 2024. Therapeutic Potential of Brassica oleracea and Raphanus sativus Aqueous Extracts on a Prediabetic Rat ModelJournal of medicinal food. PMID 38976324 · doi:10.1089/jmf.2023.0022
- 2024. Colonization of Raphanus sativus by human pathogenic microorganismsFrontiers in microbiology. PMID 38426059 · doi:10.3389/fmicb.2024.1296372
- 2023. Exogenous melatonin mediates radish (Raphanus sativus) and Alternaria brassicae interaction in a dose-dependent mannerFrontiers in plant science. PMID 36923135 · doi:10.3389/fpls.2023.1126669
- 2023. Fine mapping and analysis of candidate genes for qBT2 and qBT7.2 locus controlling bolting time in radish (Raphanus sativus L.)TAG. Theoretical and applied genetics. Theoretische und angewandte Genetik. PMID 38085292 · doi:10.1007/s00122-023-04503-x
- 2022. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated genome editing of RsGL1a and RsGL1b in radish (Raphanus sativus L.)Frontiers in plant science. PMID 36311091 · doi:10.3389/fpls.2022.951660
- 2022. Bacterial Communities in the Endophyte and Rhizosphere of White Radish (Raphanus sativus) in Different Compartments and Growth ConditionsFrontiers in microbiology. PMID 35847086 · doi:10.3389/fmicb.2022.900779
- 2015. Sequencing, de novo assembly and comparative analysis of Raphanus sativus transcriptomeFrontiers in plant science. PMID 26029219 · doi:10.3389/fpls.2015.00198
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