Cautions: Horseradish can irritate the mucous membranes as well as the stomach lining. People with stomach or intestinal ulcers should not take Horseradish, those with stomach irritations should check with their doctors. Also avoid Horseradish if you have kidney disease or disorders, and do not give Horseradish in any form to children under 4 years of age. Do not use Horseradish if your thyroid function is low or if you take thyroxin.
To recap, Horsetail is commonly recommended by Herbalists for:
- bronchitis and all respiratory disorders
- coughs, especially those caused by influenza
- urinary tract infections
- digestive problems, stomach cramps
- gout
- rheumatism, minor muscle pain
- increasing circulation
We often find Horseradish paired well with meats due to its ability to stimulate the digestive organs, it actually helps to complete the digestion of rich or heavy foods.
The herb can increase circulation when applied topically to the skin (use a preparation, NOT the pure herb, or you may experience skin irritation or blisters!), and has shown to restrain the growth of tumors as well as relieve spasms in some studies. This increase in circulation was noticed to help other problems such as sciatica in the time of N. Culpepper, and was recommended as a variation on a mustard plaster.
Horseradish may be used fresh and cut or ground, or dried and used as a powder. It can be pressed for juice but the juice can be hard to find and may not contain all the beneficial properties of the herb itself. For internal use, the PDR Family Guide to Natural Medicines recommends a daily dosage of 4 teaspoonfuls of the fresh root (20 grams). When using preparations containing Horseradish for topical use, use ointments containing no more than 2% oils.
Be aware that Horseradish, once exposed too long to air or cooked, loses its medicinal properties.
Gardening with Horseradish:
A member of the Mustard family, Horseradish is a hardy perennial that can become invasive if you don't harvest it regularly! I think it's an attractive plant, with long dark green leaves and small pale flowers on stalks up to four feet tall, blooming in early summer.
Horseradish prefers full sun but not extreme heat, consider a part shade location if you're in really hot summer zones. It can tolerate an average soil. Choose your location carefully, though, it's said that once you grow Horseradish you'll never get rid of it! Planting it is as easy as locating a smallish root cutting in early Spring. Harvest by digging up the root in Fall, and any pieces of root you leave will grow again in Spring.
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