Horseradish/horseradish – ingredients, effects and application

The root of horseradish is used as a spice, garnish and medicinal herb. It is known for its spiciness, which is mainly due to the mustard oils it contains. In addition to its use in the kitchen, horseradish also has a lot to offer as a medicinal plant – for example, it helps against cystitis, cold symptoms or digestive problems.

Characteristics

• Scientific name: Armoracia rusticana
• Common names: horseradish, farmer’s mustard, throat cleaner, horseradish, Kree, Grien
• Family: Cruciferous vegetables (Brassicaceae)
• Distribution: Originally in Ukraine, already in ancient times in Western Europe, today everywhere in cool temperate climates
• Plant parts used: The root
• Ingredients: Vitamin B1 / B 2 / B 6, vitamin C, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, coumarins, allicin, flavones, mustard oil glycosides (sinigrin and gluconasturtiin), essential oils / mustard oils (e.g. allyl, butyl, methyl -, ethyl, 2-phenylethylene mustard oil); also amino acids (asparagine, glutamine, arginine), sulfur and peroxidase (enzyme)
• Areas of application: colds, coughs, digestive problems, gastrointestinal problems, infections with bacteria, viruses and fungi, cystitis/urinary tract infection, sciatica problems, nerve pain, headaches, rheumatism, gout

Horseradish – an overview

• Horseradish grows wild in nutrient-rich and moist clay soils, often near rivers or streams.
• Horseradish has been cultivated in Central Europe since the Middle Ages and has also been used in folk medicine.
• Horseradish is easy to grow yourself. This has the advantage of being able to fully utilize the medicinally effective substances directly from the fresh root.
• The sought-after mustard oil of horseradish does not come from the above-ground parts, but from the root.
• The mustard oils in horseradish help the plant ward off or even kill predators and pathogenic microbes. In the human organism they also develop strong effects against bacteria, viruses, fungi and offer other effective effects.
• The root of horseradish is also popular in the kitchen as a hot spice and flavoring agent. It is a popular ingredient for many dishes in dips, sauces or as a side dish.

ingredients

Horseradish root contains a wide range of healthy ingredients, including B vitamins (B1, B2 and B6), vitamin C, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, coumarins, allicin and flavones.

Important substances for taste and healing effects are, above all, the mustard oil glycosides contained (such as sinigrin and gluconasturtiin) and the essential oils / mustard oils formed during processing (e.g. allyl, butyl, methyl, ethyl, 2-phenylethylene mustard oil).

There are also fixed sulfur, the enzyme peroxidase and various amino acids such as asparagine, arginine and glutamine.

Medicinal effects of horseradish

Horseradish root as a herbal medicine has recognized medicinal effects when used externally and internally. According to Commission E, safety and effectiveness have been proven for use in cases of inflammation of the respiratory tract, infections of the urinary tract and mild muscle pain.

The mustard oils have strong effects against bacteria and also fight viruses and fungi (for example pathogenic intestinal fungi). A study from South Korea published in 2013 indicated that substances extracted from horseradish root (isothiocyanates, abbreviation: ITC) could be a candidate against microbial infections in the oral cavity.

These essential oils/mustard oils also have an immune-stimulating effect and at the same time give the horseradish its spicy taste.

In combination with nasturtium, horseradish root acts against many pathogenic bacterial strains and inhibits inflammation. Herbal preparations containing horseradish root and nasturtium are also expressly recommended for bladder infections.

According to a study (2021) and anti-diabetic analysis, horseradish has potential as an agent to improve type 2 diabetes. Molecules discovered through phytochemistry studies showed strong effects against this disease.

How does mustard oil work?

Mustard oils, which are also contained in horseradish, promote blood circulation, help against fatigue and relieve the symptoms of flu and colds. They have an expectorant effect and also cause sweat and tears. They also irritated the skin. Mustard oils help relieve pain, relax cramps and fight microbes.

The mustard oils in horseradish have a strong proven effect against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, which can cause diseases in humans. Horseradish oil destroys the toxin streptolysin O, which the infectious streptococci and staphylococci develop. Mustard oils are herbal antibiotics.

Horseradish oil also fights yeast, sprouting and mold fungi and pathogenic fungi that can cause disease in the human body. Effects against various viruses have also been proven.

Only when the root is processed (e.g. cutting and rubbing) are the mustard oils released from the inactive mustard oil glycosides through injury to the plant cells and activated enzymes. This is when the horseradish first develops its typical pungent smell and its healing effects.

The healthy substances are contained in the root of horseradish. When used externally and internally, the mustard oils of the medicinal plant are particularly effective against various infections, pain and digestive problems. (Image: Alla Bondaruk/stock.adobe.com/own editing heilpraxis.de)

Medical applications

Horseradish root has many medicinal uses: fresh or dried, cut into pieces and eaten, as pressed fresh juice or in ointments.

Horseradish is eaten as a home remedy, primarily to prevent colds and to treat existing flu. Horseradish is still known in the medicine cabinet as a cough suppressant, although it has largely been replaced by ready-made preparations. Horseradish can also be found in combination preparations available at the pharmacy.

Poultices with grated root are used externally against rheumatic complaints, gout, generally against nerve pain and against insect bites. For headaches, horseradish is rubbed and the essential oil is inhaled.

In dishes, especially in sauces, horseradish not only serves as a flavoring agent, but is also used to promote digestion.

Side effects and contraindications

Horseradish should not be consumed if you suffer from stomach or intestinal problems or kidney inflammation. Horseradish applications are not recommended if you have thyroid disorders (Hashimoto).

Raw horseradish can cause burning pain in the mouth and, in large quantities, can cause diarrhea and vomiting.

Horseradish root should not be used on children under 4 years of age.

Folk medicine and medical history

Horseradish was already cultivated in Central Europe and Central Europe in the Middle Ages and was a medicinal herb from that time until early modern times that was used against various diseases, more externally than internally. The main aim was to trigger reactions in the skin by applying the juice.

Horseradish was swallowed in large quantities to induce vomiting in cases of poisoning and eaten to aid digestion. The grated root was eaten by sufferers against intermittent fever, lack of menstruation, pathological fluid retention in the abdomen and scurvy.

Scurvy is a deficiency disease that occurs when people receive too little vitamin C over a long period of time (vitamin deficiency). Horseradish was already considered a remedy for this disease before vitamins were known. Since the root contains vitamin C, its use against scurvy was plausible.

Hildegard von Bingen mentioned horseradish as a spice and medicinal plant and recommended it for heart and lung diseases as well as headaches, back pain and toothache.

Horseradish recipes: horseradish sauce, horseradish soup and horseradish dip

To make horseradish sauce, heat butter in a saucepan and stir flour into melted butter until mixture is lightly toasted. Then pour in the vegetable broth and cream and let everything simmer for two minutes.

You clean fresh horseradish root and grate it finely. Add the grated horseradish spoonfuls into the sauce and season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. The longer you let the mixture cook, the thicker the sauce will become. At the end add chopped parsley.

Horseradish soup doesn’t need roux. You can simply dice onions and fry them. Diced potatoes and carrots go well with it – you can also steam these with a little fat. Then deglaze everything with vegetable broth and white wine and add grated horseradish. When the dish is cooked, add some cream to make the soup creamy.

Horseradish is particularly popular in dip. These go well with fish, beef, poultry, fondue, grilled vegetables and cold buffets or even with toasted bread.

To make a dip, peel horseradish, grate it finely and mix it with lemon juice. You stir in sour cream and crème fraîche. Add finely chopped chives, chervil and dill and stir in. The dip is seasoned with salt, pepper, a little sugar and paprika powder.

Store and preserve horseradish properly

Horseradish can be dried, stored, frozen or pickled. If you have just harvested something fresh and are short on time, you can freeze whole roots. Allow them to thaw before preparing them. However, thawed horseradish loses the crunchy consistency of the fresh root.

In the countryside, harvested horseradish used to be stored in boxes of moist sand…