Kohlrabi
OTHER NAME(S): Bladkoolachtigen, Cabbage Turnip, Cai Tou, Cavolo Rapa, Chou Navet, Chou Rave, Col Rábano, Coli Rabano, Colinabo, Colirrabano, Couve Nabo, Couve Rábano, Glaskalrabi, Hungarian Turnip, Kaalrabi, Kalarepa, Kålrabbi, Kålrabi, Karalábé, Knolkhol, Knolkool, Knudekål, Knutekal, Kol'rabi, Koolrabi, Kyssakaali, Kyuukei Kanran, Nuikapsas, Pie Lan, Rubkohl, Ryukyu Kanran, Stem Turnip, Turnip Cabbage, Turnip Kale, Turnip-Stemmed Cabbage, Brassica oleracea, Brassica oleracea var. gongylode, Brassica oleracea L. var. caulorapa, Colirrábano, Chou-rave
Overview
Kohlrabi is a vegetable that is similar to cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, collard, and Brussels sprout. The stem and leaves of kohlrabi are eaten as food and as a medicine.
Kohlrabi is taken by mouth for cancer prevention, as well as for heart disease, obesity, constipation, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support its use.
Kohlrabi contains chemicals that are thought to help prevent cancer. Chemicals in kohlrabi might also have antioxidant activity.
Kohlrabi contains chemicals that are thought to help prevent cancer. Chemicals in kohlrabi might also have antioxidant activity.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Cancer.
- Heart disease.
- A type of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis).
- Constipation.
- A type of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn disease).
- Diabetes.
- Gout.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Symptoms of menopause.
- High cholesterol.
- Liver disease.
- Menstrual symptoms.
- Pain due to pressure on the sciatic nerve (sciatica).
- Scurvy.
- Obesity.
- Wound healing.
- Hair loss.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of kohlrabi for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Kohlrabi is LIKELY SAFE when consumed in food amounts. There isn't enough reliable information to know if kohlrabi is safe in medicinal amounts or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if kohlrabi is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Kohlrabi is LIKELY SAFE when consumed in food amounts. There isn't enough reliable information to know if kohlrabi is safe in medicinal amounts or what the side effects might be.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if kohlrabi is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if kohlrabi is safe to use in medicinal amounts when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to usual food amounts.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Kohlrabi overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of kohlrabi depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for kohlrabi. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
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- United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Release 27. Basic Report: 11241, Kohlrabi, raw. Available at: https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/3026?fgcd=&manu=&lfacet=&format=&count=&max=35&offset=&sort=&qlookup=kohlrabi
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- Park WT, Kim JK, Park S, et al. Metabolic profiling of glucosinolates, anthocyanins, carotenoids, and other secondary metabolites in kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes). J Agric Food Chem. 2012;60(33):8111-6.
- Lim TK. "Brassica oleracea (Gongylodes Group)."Edible Medicinal and Non-Medicinal Plants: Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Netherlands: Springer, 2015.
