Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) is most frequently used as a condiment. When cooked, it becomes a well-liked topping for meat and fish while being largely known for its powerful flavor.

Long used in folk medicine, the entire horseradish plant is effective for both preventing and treating a variety of common illnesses. It belongs to the class of vegetables known as cruciferous vegetables or glucosinolate-rich vegetables.

Horseradish peroxidase is one of the many enzymes and antioxidants that it contains. These substances may inhibit the formation of bacteria, provide a healthy balance of vitamins and minerals to support a balanced diet, and fight off illness and disease with antioxidants.

The mustard oil in this root vegetable can be extremely irritating to the skin, mouth, nose, throat, digestive system, and urinary tract for some people. If using topically, it could be wise to the first screen for responses with a formulation containing less than 2% mustard oil.

Why does horseradish damage my head is a frequent query? This could be a result of the presence of an organosulfur substance called allyl isothiocyanate, which can enter the nasal cavity and result in a nerve reaction that could feel tingly.

The flavor and smell’s intensity can have a greater impact on kids. It’s probably better for kids to stay away from it until they’re at least five years old.

7 Health Benefits of Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana)

7 Health Benefits of Horseradish Root (Armoracia rusticana)

1. Anticancer

This root vegetable contains glucosinolates, which give it its fiery flavor and are potent anti-cancer agents. Glucosinolates are compounds found in plants that shield them from harmful or severe conditions.

Horseradish is remarkable in that it has ten times as many glucosinolates as broccoli, providing numerous advantages even in tiny doses.

Numerous studies, including one from the University of Illinois, have demonstrated instances where this root vegetable contributes to the body’s increased cancer resistance.

According to research, it may aid in inducing cell death in human breast and colon cancer cells and shield them from oxidative damage caused by free radicals.

The potential use of glucosinolates as chemopreventive agents are growing as new research is published. Cutting and grinding the root for preparation is perfectly acceptable because one study found that processing and preparation actually enhance the root’s anticancer properties which is quite uncommon with vegetables.

2. Antioxidants

Increased consumption of foods high in antioxidants can assist the body to reverse or prevent the serious harm that free radicals can cause. Numerous Phytocompounds, or antioxidants that are good for human health, can be found in horseradish roots.

The root contains certain antimutagenic antioxidants. This indicates that they shield certain body sections from mutagens that could endanger them permanently.

There is proof that heart disease and other prevalent degenerative conditions are caused by mutations. It’s interesting to note that one in vitro study found that horseradish extract could lessen the DNA damage caused by the antibiotic zeocin, which is known to produce oxidative stress.

3. Antibacterial

Allyl isothiocyanate, often known as mustard oil, is the substance that gives horseradish, wasabi, and other acrid foods their distinctive flavor. This colorless oil has been proven effective as an antibacterial against a variety of diseases.

The potent antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of horseradish roots have been extensively studied.

There has been research on the preservation of roast beef and preventing deterioration using horseradish essential oil. The majority of the bacteria’s growth was impeded by the beef’s use of horseradish, preventing spoiling.

Additionally, horseradish root benefits phagocytes, a type of cell in the body that engulfs and absorbs microorganisms. An experiment done on mice revealed that it improved the phagocytes’ capacity to fight off infection and disease.

4. Combats Respiratory Illness

Horseradish has long been used in traditional medicine to treat bronchitis, sinusitis, cough, and the common cold due to its antibacterial characteristics.

A natural medication made from the root was compared to traditional antibiotics in a German study. Amazing research revealed that using natural extract to treat acute sinusitis and bronchitis was as effective as using traditional methods.

These results are extremely promising given the numerous negative consequences of antibiotic therapy. They also support the notion that additional study is required to decrease the usage of antibiotics and discover all-natural treatments for prevalent diseases.

The truth is that a lot of antibiotics used to treat respiratory illnesses frequently exacerbate the underlying cause rather than just treating the symptoms.

This cruciferous vegetable’s strong aroma also aids in clearing mucus from the upper respiratory tract to guard against infection. It may feel like you are making too much mucus when taking this root vegetable for sinus issues, but this can be advantageous.

Your body will begin to eliminate waste within a day or two, which is a crucial step in avoiding infection.

5. Helps Treat Urinary Tract Infections

Horseradish root is also very effective in treating acute urinary tract infections better than traditional antibiotic treatments, which typically involve a lot of unfavorable side effects because of its capacity to inhibit bacterial growth and microorganisms.

The root also contains the glycoside sinigrin, which is known to decrease water retention and function as a natural diuretic, helping to ward off kidney and urinary tract infections.

Allyl isothiocyanate, which is excreted in the urine and has demonstrated anti-bladder cancer qualities, may contribute to the root vegetable’s ability to fight infections.

6. Aids Digestion

Horseradish has digestive-stimulating, bowel-controlling, and constipation-relieving enzymes. Bile supports a healthy digestive tract and helps the body get rid of extra cholesterol, lipids, and other waste.

This root vegetable is regarded as a Cholagogue, which is a chemical that encourages the gallbladder to produce bile to aid with digestion.

Additionally, it offers a tiny quantity of fiber, which is crucial for supporting regularity and digestive health.

Some studies indicate that increasing your dietary fiber intake may be able to help you avoid problems including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diverticulitis, and stomach ulcers.

7. Anti-inflammatory

People in ancient Greece utilized horseradish as a natural painkiller to help with back pain. It has also been utilized in other forms of conventional medicine to lessen headache-related pain and inflammation.

Horseradish is frequently administered topically to body parts suffering from discomfort brought on by inflammation, arthritis, or injury, though additional research is required. This might be a result of the anti-inflammatory effects included in the several advantageous chemicals it possesses.