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Horseradish Roots Medicinal Uses

Anti-Cancer Properties

Studies published in the 2016 medical journal Molecules as well as research in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Industry found encouraging results regarding horseradish and its anti cancer properties.
There are bioactive compounds, including one called sinigrin, that may help your body fight off cancer. For instance, studies show that it helps slow the spread of cancer cells, particularly in the liver. More research is needed to confirm the findings, but it’s positive to note that additional studies are ongoing.

Diuretic Qualities

Horseradish has some diuretic properties, which means it helps promote urination. This is important for regularly expelling toxins from your body, as well as helping to keep your liver clean.

Nutrients and lots of them.

Horseradish packs a nutritional punch well above its weight! This small root is naturally rich in many key nutrients, including:

    Calcium
    Dietary fibre
    Folate
    Manganese
    Magnesium
    Potassium
    Vitamin C
    Zinc

These nutrients all play important roles in maintaining good overall health, plus, because these are naturally occurring, they get absorbed into the body, quicker, and easier.

Naturally Antibacterial


Horseradish could be helpful to treat urinary tract infections. This is because it has both antibacterial and diuretic properties.

Studies have shown that the horseradish has an antibacterial component called allyl isothiocyanate. In recent studies, this has been shown to kill harmful bacteria and microbes that result in infections.

Boosts Circulation and Clears Mucus

If you feel a cold or sinus coming on, horseradish could be your best friend. Its high sulfur levels have been shown to help clear sinus passages and clear out mucus. In addition, the bio-compounds in horseradish can assist with facial circulation and can promote drainage.

Help With Weight Loss

Horseradish is low in calories and high in fibre, making it a safe addition to recipes. So, if you want to add flavour without adding more calories, to make those boring weight loss meals taste better, horseradish is the answer. We love adding it to salad dressings and sauces to bring out a ton of flavour, so the amount of dressing or sauce needed is reduced, and you get free health benefits as well !

Another great health benefit of horseradish is that it contains natural chemicals called isothiocyanates. These assist in weight loss by naturally revving up your metabolism.

Helps with Digestion

Horseradish helps promote healthy digestion. For instance, it aids in liver function. Horseradish is part of a group called cholagogues because it triggers the gallbladder to release bile, a key aspect of the digestive process that helps keep your whole system healthy.

Supports Immunity

In addition, the nutrients in horseradish have strong antioxidant properties, which promote a healthy immune system. Along with the high vitamin C content in horseradish, its antioxidants help produce and stimulate white blood cell activity, which are crucial to a strong immune system.

Simple Preparations and Dosage

The root keeps for several months in a resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator. (Freshly dug root is superior as a medicine) Wash, then grate the radish in a food processor or blender. (You can use a grater, but you may not be able to see what you're grating through your tears, a bit like peeling onions !)

Add honey or sugar and vinegar to taste (about 2 tablespoons honey or sugar and 1 tablespoon vinegar per cup of horseradish).

If you can tolerate its flavor, spread 1/4 teaspoon of prepared radish on a cracker and eat it, or stir the horseradish in a sip of warm water with a little honey.

You can make a poultice to treat a wound, or soak a cloth in horseradish tea and apply the cloth to the wound. Discontinue if the skin reddens or causes irritation or a rash.