Horseradish

Horseradish has a mild natural antibiotic effect, and it stimulates urine production. Thus, it has been used to treat urinary infections. If you experience chronic urinary, sinus, or other infections, you should know horseradish is considered safe for long-term use.

Occasionally, horseradish is used topically to alleviate the pain of arthritis and nerve irritation. Horseradish also has been used as a poultice to treat infected wounds. Horseradish, however, may redden the skin and cause an irritation or rash. Keep reading to learn about other warnings and preparation tips for horseradish, including a recipe for horseradish-cranberry holiday relish.

Horseradish is a pungent, long, tapering root used as a condiment in the kitchens. It possesses strong, hot, and sharp flavor, which can only be described after experiencing its unique taste! botanically, this spicy root belongs to the genus, armoracia, in the brassicaceae (mustards) family; sharing with other members of brassica like mustard, kale, radish, cabbage, etc.

Horseradish root. Note for long, coarse, tapering roots with rusty brown peel and white color flesh. Horseradish is native to the eastern and.

Mediterranean regions of europe from where it spread to americas during colonial times. The plant is a small perennial herb, but can be grown as an annual field crop for its thick, rough, fleshy roots in many parts of europe, america, and asia, including germany, usa, england, hungary, japan, and china.

The plant features broad, crinkled leaves. It grows best in cool climates with good sun light conditions. In general, the rootlets (root sections) planted in the spring and harvested by autumn. The roots are usually about 6-12 inches long with few rounded knots at the root-end.

Wasabi (wasabia japonica) is a japanese variant of horseradish but has more intense, and stronger flavor. Its interior features delicate apple green color flesh. Horseradish is helpful for sinus infections because it encourages your body to get rid of mucus.

One way a sinus infection starts is with the accumulation of thick mucus in the sinuses, which lays out the welcome mat for bacteria

Stagnant mucus is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to multiply and cause a painful infection.

Horseradish can help thin and move out older, thicker mucous accumulations; thin, watery mucus is easier to eliminate.

If you are prone to developing sinus infections, try taking horseradish the minute you feel a cold coming on to prevent mucus from accumulating in your sinus cavities.

Herbalists also recommend horseradish for common colds, influenza, and lung congestion.

Inciorally, don't view the increase of mucus production after horseradish therapy as a sign your cold is worsening.

The free-flowing mucus is a positive sign that your body is ridding itself of wastes, so bear with it for a day or two.

Almost all the parts of a horseradish plant can treat various health disorders.

Raw leaves of horseradish when pressed against the fore head can instantly treat headache, the root can cure tonsillitis whereas the tea made from horseradish flowers can treat extreme cold and flu.

This vegetable contains iron which aids cellular metabolism and is vital for the production of red blood cells and bone marrow.

It also helps in soothing your nerves.

When it comes to hair care, horseradish has proven to be effective in stimulating hair growth.

It is beneficial for your hair in the following ways.

Almost all the parts of a horseradish plant can treat various health disorders.

Raw leaves of horseradish when pressed against the fore head can instantly treat headache, the root can cure tonsillitis whereas the tea made from horseradish flowers can treat extreme cold and flu.

This vegetable contains iron which aids cellular metabolism and is vital for the production of red blood cells and bone marrow.

It also helps in soothing your nerves.

Horseradish is low in calories and fat. However, it contains a good amount of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants. Certain active principles in it found to have been anti-inflammatory, diuretic (increase urine output), and nerve soothing effects.

The root contains many volatile phyto-chemical compounds, which give its much-famed biting character. Some of the major constituents in the root are allyl isothiocyanate, 3-butenyl isothiocyanate, 2-propenylglucosinlate (sinigrin), 2-pentyl isothiocyanate, and phenylethyl isothiocyanate. It has been found that these compounds have been known to carry anti-oxidant and detoxification functions.

It works as a potent gastric stimulant which increases appetite, and aids in digestion. Some of the volatile phyto-chemical compounds in the root stimulate salivary, gastric, and intestinal glands to secreteadigestive enzymes, thereby facilitate digestion.

Horseradish has good amounts of vitamin-c, which is a powerful water soluble anti-oxidant. 100 g fresh root holds 29 mg or 41% of daily-recommended values. Vitamin-c helps alleviate viral infections by boosting immunity. In addition, it helps remove harmful free-radicals from the body and may help protect it from cancers, inflammation, infections, etc.

This root-spice has some of vital minerals in moderation like sodium, potassium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, and magnesium. Iron is an important co-factor for cytochrome-oxidase enzymes during cellular metabolism. It is also required for red blood cell production in the bone marrow. Being an important component of cell and body fluids, potassium helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the powerful antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase.

In addition, the root has small amounts of essential vitamins such as folate, vitamin b-6 (pyridoxine), riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid.

Horseradish is effective in preventing hair loss.

It helps to regenerate the hair roots by improving circulation to the scalp.

To regrow your hair, you can either prepare a poultice from horseradish and rub it on your scalp or utilize it in the form of a lotion.

A mixture of horseradish and vinegar has been found to be effective in getting rid of dandruff.

The roots of horseradish contain high amounts of glucosinolates which lower the risk of certain types of cancer.

This compound boosts the ability of the liver to detoxify carcinogens which may potentially cause tumors.

Besides preventing the formation of new tumors, glucosinolates also block the growth of tumors that may already be existing within the body. They are powerful antibiotics that relieve infections by stimulating blood flow to the affected area and eliminating waste products.

Glucosinolates and derivatives provide protection against colon and rectal cancers.

Processed horseradish provides greater anti-cancer benefits.

The roots of horseradish contain high amounts of glucosinolates which lower the risk of certain types of cancer.

This compound boosts the ability of the liver to detoxify carcinogens which may potentially cause tumors.

Besides preventing the formation of new tumors, glucosinolates also block the growth of tumors that may already be existing within the body.

They are powerful antibiotics that relieve infections by stimulating blood flow to the affected area and eliminating waste products.

Glucosinolates and derivatives provide protection against colon and rectal cancers.

Processed horseradish provides greater anti-cancer benefits.

Sinus infection is caused due to the accumulation of mucus in the sinuses, which creates a hospitable environment for bad bacteria to thrive in and is quite painful.

The volatile compounds present in horseradish prevent this accumulation by thinning out old mucus.

Thus, if you are prone to sinus and upper respiratory tract infections, you can take half a teaspoon of horseradish sauce in the morning and noon and stay for at least 10 minutes after use without food or drink.

This will immediately clear the sinuses.

Horseradish also relieves the symptoms of influenza, colds and congestion.

Horseradish flour paste can be applied over the chest to cure congestion.

Horseradish is not just beneficial for your health but it is also used as an ingredient in various cosmetics and beauty treatments.

It can be beneficial for your skin in the following ways.

Skin discoloration is caused due to the overproduction of melanin or ceroid in the skin leading to age spots also known as liver spots and birthmarks.

Horseradish is a natural way to lighten skin discoloration.

For this purpose, prepare a mixture of a 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar and 4 inches of grated fresh horseradish. Putting it in a jar, tighten the lid and allow this mixture to sit for two weeks. Shake it daily. Strain this mixture and refrigerate it.

Apply it on the skin discoloration with a cotton ball thrice daily.

You can make your own lotion by mixing freshly grated horseradish with buttermilk and glycerine and allow it to stand overnight before straining it.

Using this regularly will lighten blemishes such as acne and blackheads as well as treat oily skin.

If you have freckles, you can prepare a mixture of horseradish root powder, oatmeal powder and sour cream.

Apply it on your skin, massaging it with your fingers and allow it to sit on your face like a facial mask before washing it off with warm water.

For best results, use this mixture at least twice a week.

Sinus infection is caused due to the accumulation of mucus in the sinuses, which creates a hospitable environment for bad bacteria to thrive in and is quite painful.

The volatile compounds present in horseradish prevent this accumulation by thinning out old mucus.

Thus, if you are prone to sinus and upper respiratory tract infections, you can take half a teaspoon of horseradish sauce in the morning and noon and stay for at least 10 minutes after use without food or drink.

This will immediately clear the sinuses.

Horseradish also relieves the symptoms of influenza, colds and congestion.

Horseradish flour paste can be applied over the chest to cure congestion.

Gargling with a mixture of 3 to 4 spoons horseradish and half a glass of water can help in alleviating stomatitis.

The phytochemicals in horseradish stimulate salivary glands, and gastric and intestinal glands, thus enabling the secretion of digestive enzymes and aiding in digestion.

It has also been found to increase appetite.

If you are suffering from indigestion, you can grate horseradish and squeeze out the juice.

Take around 20 drops of this juice in between meals for relief.

However, horseradish should be avoided in cases of peptic ulcer, hyper acid gastritis or hypothyroidism as it might augment these conditions.

Horseradish has a high content of vitamin c which is a powerful antioxidant.

It treats viral infections and boosts immunity.

It prevents inflammation and infection by removing the harmful free radicals from the body.

Thus, eating horseradish stimulates your immune system by heating up the body internally.

Horseradish also contains potassium, which helps control blood pressure and heart rate.