Armoracia rusticana
(Horseradish)

Therapeutic Actions:

• Antibiotic due to the mustard oil
• Effective in lung and urinary infections because mustard oil is excreted through these channels
• Powerful circulatory stimulant
• Rubefacient

Clinical Indications:

• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Cystitis
• Gout
• Rheumatic joints, use as a poultice to stimulate blood flow

Contraindications:

• Hypothyroidism and taking thyroxine

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• Counterproductive to use medications that inhibit stomach acid production, ie antacids, gastric acid secretion inhibitors and histamine H2 receptor antagonists, since horseradish promotes stomach acid secretion

Chemical Constituents:

• Asparagine
• Glucosinolates
  
  Sinigrin, which releases allyl isothiocyanate on contact with the enzyme myrosin during crushing and when combined with water yields mustard oil
  2-phenylethylglucosinolate
• Resin
• Sugar
• Vitamin B complex
• Vitamin C

Toxicity:

• Overuse may blister the skin if using topically

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).