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You’ve certainly heard of this plant before, but not in connection with healing, rather with flavoring food. However, it used to be a very popular medicinal herb among our parents and grandparents.
Later, however, it was almost completely forgotten, because it was replaced by a whole range of various pharmaceutical preparations. Today it is finally coming back into awareness and reviving as part of herbal medicine. Many of you may rightly suspect that we are talking about horseradish.
An empirical study recently confirmed what our distant ancestors already knew long ago. Namely, that in the treatment of several illnesses horseradish is as effective as chemically synthesized antibiotics. In fact, it is often even more effective than them. Horseradish is especially helpful in treating a blocked nose and inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, which it clears by removing accumulated mucus from them.
It also helps relieve accompanying symptoms of colds, flu and other lung infections. In addition, it helps with urinary tract inflammations. Another huge advantage is that it has no undesirable side effects. And finally, as already mentioned above, it is not only medicinal but also tasty for many people, so it often enhances our culinary experiences.
Horseradish belongs to the same group of plants as, for example, mustard, broccoli or cabbage. These types of plants have a high content of glucosinolates, which influence hormone metabolism and also have anti-cancer effects. Their consumption significantly reduces, for example, the risk of prostate cancer.
Horseradish contains mustard oil and allyl isothiocyanate. Their presence gives it strong antibiotic effects. It also has a high proportion of vitamin C, containing up to 79 mg per 100 grams. It also contains many important minerals and other health-promoting substances, such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, glutamine, glycosides, sulfates and essential oils. Sinigrin, a very potent glycoside, is also found in horseradish and helps retain water by stimulating blood capillaries. It rejuvenates by improving blood circulation in the skin and beneath its surface.
Horseradish can therefore also be used in skin therapies.
A study conducted by a team of German researchers in 2006 examined the effectiveness of horseradish in the treatment of sinusitis, bronchitis and urinary tract infections. Participants in the study were treated either with standard antibiotics or with horseradish and nasturtium (a common plant found in our gardens, whose leaves and flowers are also known for their medicinal effects). The result showed that treatment with these herbs was at least as effective as standard antibiotic treatment. In addition, the group treated with the herbs required less supportive (symptomatic) therapy and their treatment overall was considered safer compared to common medicines.
Another study found that recovery time with horseradish was 40% shorter than with antibiotics. There was also a lower chance of developing infection symptoms that users of mucolytic drugs most often complain about. Those drugs merely suppress symptoms but worsen the underlying causes of the disease. Horseradish acts as a mild natural antibiotic. It helps your body get rid of mucus, which in case of blockage becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Those can then cause serious infections. Horseradish thins mucus, which is then more easily either blown out of the nose or coughed up from the throat.
At first, mucus production may increase. However, this is a good sign because it indicates that the body is cleansing itself. You should therefore be patient for one to two days and only then start celebrating your victory over the illness. It is recommended to start taking horseradish as soon as you begin to feel the symptoms of a cold or sinusitis. For sinusitis it is good to use other effective natural therapies in combination with horseradish. Combining several methods can significantly shorten the treatment time, clear a blocked nose and alleviate other accompanying symptoms of the illness.
As already mentioned, horseradish also helps with urinary tract infections. It stimulates urine flow and its use is safe even over a long period. Some people use horseradish topically for rheumatic pains and nerve irritation. It has even been shown to be effective in treating skin wounds.
There are several ways to take horseradish. The preferred method is consuming it raw and fresh. Grate the horseradish root and mix it with other medicinal ingredients, such as honey or apple cider vinegar. It is very important to eat horseradish fresh, otherwise it loses its healing power. Therefore, do not use canned or jarred horseradish from the store for treatment. It may be sufficient for flavoring food, but definitely not for therapy.
It is also appropriate to consume it raw. Cooking destroys many of its beneficial substances and also dulls its pungent taste. Sometimes people consume horseradish without being aware of it. Did you know that many restaurants that sell sushi serve it with a horseradish paste? Horseradish can be added to many other dishes. Often, however, it is preserved or otherwise processed horseradish that no longer has its original medicinal effects. Therefore, for treatment always use only fresh horseradish.
The German herbal medicine manual recommends a daily dose of horseradish of 0.5 to 1 teaspoon, that is approximately 3 to 5 grams of freshly grated horseradish 3 times a day. If taken in doses higher than recommended, horseradish can irritate the stomach, cause vomiting or excessive sweating.
Here we offer you 4 recipes for consuming horseradish.
1. Horseradish maintenance for the nasal sinuses
You will need the following to prepare it:
- a 20 to 30 cm long horseradish root
- 2 tablespoons of water
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- a pinch of salt
Preparation and use
Use a vegetable peeler to remove the top skin of the horseradish.
Cut the cleaned horseradish into small pieces and place it in a food processor.
Add the water, vinegar and salt.
Turn on the processor and let it run until the mixture is sufficiently processed.
Be careful when handling horseradish, because cut horseradish is often as strong as a cut onion and can seriously irritate your eyes if it gets close to them.
Always keep it at least an arm’s length away and work in a well-ventilated area.
Take 0.5 to 1 teaspoon (3 to 5 grams) 3 times a day. This is really strong medicine and extremely effective.
If you’ve never eaten horseradish before, start with very small doses and gradually increase them.
Store the prepared mixture in a glass container in the refrigerator. It should last there 4 to 5 weeks.
Alternatively, you can make smaller amounts more often. This way you’ll at least have slightly fresher horseradish.
2. Horseradish guacamole
You will need the following ingredients:
- 2 medium-sized avocados
- 4 tablespoons of freshly grated horseradish
- 1 large lime
- salt and pepper to taste
Procedure and use
Scoop out the avocado.
Add the grated horseradish, which you have cleaned or peeled before grating.
Squeeze the lime juice into the mixture and add salt and pepper.
Mix everything well.
Serve the guacamole as a spread on bread or as a dip for carrots or other healthy snacks (not potato chips!).
If you want to make it richer, you can add Greek yogurt to it.
3. Horseradish tea
To prepare horseradish tea you will need:
- 10 grams of fresh horseradish
- 5 grams of fresh ginger
- 200 ml of boiling water
Preparation and use
Cut the horseradish and ginger into small pieces.
Place the herbs in a teapot, pour boiling water over them and let steep for 20 minutes.
Drink the tea 3 times a day at a temperature of approximately 40 °C.
Note: Although some beneficial substances are devalued by boiling water, not as many are lost as would be during longer cooking.
4. Horseradish energizer
To make this extremely potent energizer you will need:
- 1 large horseradish about 15 cm long
- 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon of honey (preferably raw and organic)
Preparation and use
Clean the horseradish and grate it.
Squeeze the lemon and mix the juice with the honey and the grated horseradish. Place this mixture in a glass airtight container.
Seal the container airtight and let it stand for 24 hours.
Take 1 tablespoon of this powerful energizer 3 to 4 times a day.
Do not dilute it with water! If it burns your throat and sinuses, it is a good sign that it is working.
