Most commonly used in the West and East to treat various lung-related imbalances. Sliced raw turnip is superior when pungency is needed to disperse lung congestion.
Cooking the turnip destroys its mild pungent qualities and the goitrogens it contains; however cooking makes it more digestible and building Kidney Yang.
Turnip greens are considered qi and blood propelling, and are useful in treating liver conditions and cleansing the blood from fats and toxins.
Properties
Taste: pungent, bitter, sweet
Natural Attributes: Heavy, Dry
Tissue impact (Vipak): Reducing
Thermal impact (Virya): Warming
Dosha impact: Increases Vata, decreases Kapha and Pitta
Digestive impact (Agni): hard to digest
Channels (Srotas): opens
Feces: moves
Urine: diuretic
Strength (Bala):Â clears congestion and obstruction
Mind (Manas): Rajasic
Effect: diaphoretic, alkalizing, detoxicant, hypolipidemic
Chinese five element impact: Earth, Fire
Chinese medicine syndromes: improves Qi circulation, removes stagnant blood, resolves damp conditions, stimulates liver, deficient spleen-pancreas Qi
Medicinal properties
- Blood-circulation-liver: jaundice
- Fat: diabetes
- Respiratory system: mucus, cough, bronchial disorders, asthma, sinus problems, hoarseness, sticky phlegm, phlegm in lungs
- Digestive system: food stagnation, improves appetite, indigestion
- Cleansing: neutralizes toxins
Harmful for: hypothyroidism