Horseradish Ordinary.

Horseradish: properties and applications

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the cruciferous family, with a height of 50 to 150 cm. The plant has a fleshy and thick root, and the stem is straight and branched. Horseradish blooms in June-July, the flowers are white, and the fruit is an oval pod. Horseradish is common in the European part of Russia, Western and Central Siberia, and grows in damp meadows, along river banks and garbage areas. In addition, it is cultivated in vegetable gardens.

Horseradish has many beneficial properties and uses. Horseradish roots are edible and serve as a seasoning for various dishes. Young fresh leaves are added to salads and soups, and used for pickling cabbage, cucumbers and tomatoes. Essential and mustard oils give the pungent smell to grated horseradish. Unpeeled roots retain vitamin C for a very long time, but when crushed and left open, it is lost within 1 hour. It is recommended to immediately pour vinegar over the grated horseradish, since vitamin C is not destroyed in an acidic environment.

In addition, horseradish has medicinal properties. The roots serve as medicinal raw materials. They are dug up in the fall, shaken off the ground, covered with sand and stored in the basement. The roots contain carbohydrates (glucose, galactose, arabinose), saponins, vitamins C, Bi and Br, flavonoids, mustard oil and thioglycosides. Alkaloids, vitamin C, carotene, flavonoids and mineral salts (calcium, potassium and phosphorus) are found in the leaves. Fresh juice is rich in lysozyme, which can cause the microbial wall to dissolve, creating an antibacterial barrier in the body. Lysozyme is used in medical practice as an antiseptic.

Horseradish has an expectorant, antiscorbutic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic and mycostatic effect. Essential oil in small concentrations irritates the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, which is accompanied by increased secretion of the glands of various parts of the intestine and enhances its peristalsis. Diluted horseradish juice is used for gastritis with low acidity, sluggish intestinal contractions and insufficient gallbladder function. Grated horseradish root is widely used in folk medicine to treat colds, as an expectorant and anti-inflammatory agent. Horseradish is also used in the treatment of urinary tract diseases, for example, cystitis, due to its diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties.

However, you should not overuse horseradish, as its excessive consumption can lead to various side effects. Horseradish can cause irritation of the mucous membranes, which manifests itself in the form of skin rash, runny nose, watery eyes and cough. Also, for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including stomach ulcers, horseradish can aggravate symptoms.

In general, horseradish is a useful plant that can be used as a seasoning for dishes, as well as as a medicine. However, when using horseradish, you should observe moderation and not abuse it. Also, before using horseradish for medicinal purposes, you should consult your doctor.