Horseradish
Armoracia rusticana
Spices. Western & European.
Also called Pepperroot, Mountain radish, Raifort (French)
Pinyin: Là Gēn
Spanish: Rábano picante
Burns mouth and skinA sharp root from the mustard family, grated as a condiment with meat, fish and sauces.
Did you know? Grating horseradish breaks its cells and lets an enzyme mix with its sulfur compounds, which makes a sharp oil like the one in mustard and wasabi.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Breathing & asthma. Used for sinus and chest congestion in German herbal references. No good modern trials.Traditional proof
- Kidneys, bladder & UTIs. Used for urinary tract infections in folk and German herbal use. No good human trials.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
German herbal references list horseradish root for sinus and chest infections and for urinary tract infections, based on long use. Folk healers also used it to clear the sinuses.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Expectorant, Diuretic, Antimicrobial. Energy: warming.
How people take it
Grated root or prepared sauce in small amounts with meat, fish and boiled vegetables. Folk teas and tinctures are made from the root. No medicine dose is set.
Food and tincture.
Where to get it
Grown in cool temperate regions, especially Europe and North America. Sold as fresh root, as prepared horseradish in jars, and as dried root for teas and supplements.
Be careful
Fresh root is very strong and can burn eyes, nose and mouth. Large amounts may upset the stomach. Avoid medicine doses if you have kidney inflammation or stomach ulcers.
Avoid if: stomach ulcers; kidney disease; thyroid disease.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Both are sharp mustard-family condiments used in sauces.
- Works well together
A common pair in creamy and fish sauces.
- Works well together
Often combined in sauces for meat and fish.
- Worth knowingThyroid medicine (levothyroxine (Synthroid))
Like other cabbage-family plants, large amounts may affect thyroid function. Food amounts are unlikely to matter.
Found in these formulas
Fire cider (Folk)
The honest take
Horseradish is a strong, safe condiment in food amounts. Its sinus and urinary uses come from tradition, and modern trials are missing. Its sharp oil can burn skin and the stomach if used in large amounts.