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Herbs & Supplements
Armoracia rusticana
Scientific Name: Horseradish
Other Names: Cochlearia armoracia, German Mustard, Great Raifort, Horse Radish, Mountain Radish, Pepperrot, Red Cole, Stingnose
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Uses
In the United States, horseradish is known mainly as a spicy condiment for sandwiches or meats. Its hot taste and distinctive smell depend on the volatile oils--including mustard oil--that it contains. Although volatile oils usually evaporate quickly at room temperature, they also give horseradish some medicinal properties. For instance, inhaling horseradish oils or taking horseradish by mouth promotes blood flow in nasal passages and sinus tissues, possibly relieving upper respiratory congestion. Laboratory studies have shown that horseradish may also have mild antibiotic effects, so it may help to eliminate bacteria that contribute to some respiratory infections. Horseradish is approved for treating upper respiratory tract conditions by the Commission E of the German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, which is the German governmental agency that evaluates the safety and effectiveness of herbal products. The United States does not have a comparable organization.
In Germany, horseradish is also approved as add-on treatment to prescription drugs for relieving the symptoms of urinary tract infections. Chemicals in horseradish are believed to concentrate in the urine, and therefore deliver antibiotic effects to the bladder. They may also activate specific enzymes that help to keep toxins--including known cancer-causing chemicals--from accumulating in the bladder. Additionally, horseradish stimulates the body to eliminate urine, so infective or damaging agents in the bladder may be flushed out sooner than they normally would be eliminated. All these effects may help to treat bladder infections and also to prevent or limit other bladder conditions.
Occasionally, grated horseradish may be mixed with oil or made into an ointment and applied to the skin. A horseradish poultice may also be used topically. A poultice consists of a soft cloth that has been spread with grated fresh horseradish and then applied to the skin. Topical horseradish is used to relieve muscle or joint aches or, if applied to the chest, to reduce lung congestion. Mustard oil and other chemicals in horseradish are believed to widen blood vessels that are close to the skin's surface. The resulting increase in blood flow causes the skin to redden and creates a feeling of warmth that relieves muscle or joint aches.
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Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.
This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.
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