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Horseradish

Cochlearia Armoracia (LINN)

Family: N.O. Cruciferae

Horseradish


Names

History

Constituents

Uses

Mountain Radish
Great Raifort
Red Cole
raphanus rusticanus
Raphanos agrios (possibly the wild radish of Greeks)
French Moutarde des Allemands.
German: Meerrettich**
Italian: rafano
Spanish: rábano picante

A member of the cruciferae family (cabbage, broccoli, mustard, etc.); the recognizable English word 'Horseradish' means a coarse radish, as opposed to the edible and mild salad radish (R. sativus).
The prefix 'Horse' has been used for "rustic", or coarse, comparably: Horse-Mint, Horse Chestnut.

It was formerly also known as the Mountain Radish and Great Raifort. **The word horseradish is derived from the German word for “sea radish”, since it grows in coastal areas in Europe. The German word, "Meerrettich" was used for "mare" radish, and some believe that Horseradish was named after the Meerettich mistakenly.
This tangy herb (or, vegetable) was formerly used as a “pick-me-up” in beer, and used more traditionally as a condiment (Germany, Denmark)
*The historical herbalist Culpeper said, “If bruised and laid to a part grieved with the sciatica, gout, joint-ache or hard swellings of the spleen and liver, it doth wonderfully help them all.”
#Medicinally, radish seedlings were used in ancient times for asthma, and any benefit presumably results from its effect on mucus.

Horseradish is ingested in a tablespoon-sized lump as only one out of the traditional five bitter herbs of Jewish Passover (Seder) which are coriander, lettuce, nettle,horehound. These are taken before the Seder meal, and accompanied by other sacred symbols celebrating the passing from captivity to freedom after an escape from Pharoahs' armies across the Red Sea.

*Hooker writes that it is possibly a cultivated form of Cochlearia macrocarpa, a native of Hungary; others believe it to be indigenous to the eastern parts of Europe. In Britain and other parts of Europe from Sicily northwards, it occurs cultivated, or semi-wild as a garden escape. Probably Pliny wrote of it as Amoracia. Both the root and leaves of Horseradish were universally used as a medicine during the Middle Ages Linnaeus gave to the world its present botanical name, Cochlearia ArmoraciaCochleare being the name of an old-fashioned spoon to which its long leaves are supposed to bear a resemblance.

Collinsville, Illinois, is the self-proclaimed "Horseradish Capital of the World"

There are traditional food uses around world, e.g.: used in soup for Silesia (Easter soup in Poland)

Cultivation 'It grows up to 1.5 meters (five feet) tall and is mainly cultivated for its large white, tapered root.' Wikipedia

Plant in early spring for fall harvest in rich manure pepared 18 to 24 inches deep


high sulphur content
a crystalline glucoside
(two glucosinolates, sinigrin and gluconasturtiin)
allyl isothiocyanate
bitter resin
sugar
starch
gum
albumin and acetates
potassium
calcium
magnesium
phosphorus

average 79.31 mg of vitamin C per 100 g of raw horseradish
enzyme horseradish peroxidase

sinus infection
antibiotic
diuretic, for kidney stones
for bladder infections
promotes perspiration
indigestion
to clear putrefaction of the digestive tract
to counteract meat spoilage
lung problems
asthma
persistent coughs from influenza
dropsy
expectorant (immediate and effective)
gargle
respiratory ailments related to allergies,hayfever
bronchodilator
rheumatic or arthritic conditions
stimulates mucus surfaces throughout the body
joint ache
sciatica
paralytic complaints
skin treatment to remove spots and blemishes
facial neuralgia
vermifuge
immune stimulant;increases white blood count
aperient
rubefacient
hard swellings of the spleen and liver
gout
footbath (chilblains)
antioxidant, copes with stress and environmental pollution
fresh fumes for babys' cold (under nose)
in white vinegar for childrens' whooping cough
for scurvy where there is not much fever
horseradish syrup for hoarseness
ingrown toenails
appetite stimulant
emetic
toothaches
stimulate blood circulation (As poultice)
fade freckles or age spots
cancer-preventive like other cruciferae
cosmetic
condiment
fresh or raw as foods.



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Contra-Indications

Excessive intake of Horseradish may involve the following risks:

Gastrointestinal upset
Bloody vomiting Too much makes it an emetic (causes vomiting)
Diarrhea
Irritation of mucous membranes
Irritation of the urinary tract
Not for use in people with hypothyroidism or taking thyroid medication
Do not use during pregnancy or lactation without consulting a physician
Do not use in children without consulting a physician
May blister the skin when used externally
Possible allergic reaction in some people
Possible interactions with other supplements and medications



Link here to Companion Article



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