Horseradish is a plant of the cabbage family, since ancient times famous for its piquant pungent taste and numerous healing properties due to the uniqueness of its chemical composition.
Both the leaves and the roots of horseradish contain a large number of substances beneficial to the body, including:
- vitamin E;
- B vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B9);
- vitamin C;
- vitamin PP;
- iron;
- chlorine;
- sulfur;
- copper;
- magnesium;
- calcium;
- sodium;
- phosphorus;
- potassium.
It also contains natural sugars, organic acids, dietary fiber, saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, phytoncides, saponins and glycosides, fiber, etc.
Due to the high content of phytoncides and the antibacterial enzyme lysozyme, the plant has a powerful antimicrobial effect. By regularly adding horseradish to food, you can avoid the occurrence of many diseases caused by various types of bacteria (for example, influenza, acute respiratory infections, dysentery, etc.).
The diuretic and choleretic properties of horseradish make it especially useful for people suffering from diseases of the kidneys, liver and gallbladder. With gallstone disease, it is shown to drink a decoction of horseradish root in milk.
With tonsillitis, stomatitis and halitosis, rinsing with a tincture of grated horseradish diluted with water in a 1: 1 ratio gives a good effect. For the preparation of tincture 1 tbsp. a spoonful of grated horseradish root is poured with 200 ml of vodka or alcohol and infused in a dark place for 3 days, after which it is filtered. Shake the tincture before each dose.
The multifaceted medicinal properties of the plant were known 3500 years ago: the ancient Greeks believed that horseradish improves appetite, gives a boost of vivacity and saves from colds.
For the treatment of chronic sinusitis, traditional medicine recommends taking a gruel made from 150 g of grated horseradish and juice of 3 lemons every day (2 times a day, ½ teaspoon) for 3 months.
Tincture of black radish and horseradish is a remedy that is effectively used by the people for the treatment of bronchitis. To prepare the tincture, you need to take:
- 0.5 liters of dry white wine;
- 2 tbsp. spoons of honey;
- 2 tbsp. tablespoons of grated horseradish;
- 1 tbsp. spoon of grated black radish.
Pour the radish and horseradish with pre-boiled wine and let it brew for 2 hours. Then strain, squeeze and add honey. Drink ¼ glass every hour.
Freshly cut horseradish leaves applied to the temples can help relieve headaches.
Outwardly, horseradish is used in the form of aqueous infusions for lotions and compresses for infectious skin diseases, eczema and for the treatment of festering wounds. With alopecia areata and oily seborrhea, it is useful to rub fresh horseradish root juice into the scalp.
In addition, tinctures, infusions and decoctions are indicated for internal use for gout, rheumatism, bile stasis, acute hepatitis, poor appetite, giardiasis, digestive disorders; for the outside - with pneumonia, radiculitis, myositis.
In cooking, grated horseradish root is widely used as a hot seasoning for most savory dishes. It is traditionally served with jellied meat, smoked fish, boiled tongue, egg dishes, etc. Horseradish leaves are added to pickles and marinades when harvesting vegetables for future use.
