Botanical Index No. 521

Horseradish

armoracia rusticana

Medicinal Actions

Allergenic, Antibacterial, Antiedemic, Antiinflammatory, Antioxidant, Antisarcomic, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic, Antitumor, Carcinostatic, Carminative, Circulostimulant, Counterirritant, Decongestant, Depurative, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Diuretic, Expectorant, Fungicide, Hyperemic, Hypotensive, Immunostimulant, Sialagogue, Stimulant, Vesicant, Colic

Primary Conditions Treated

Abortifacient Aperitif Bitter Hypothyroidism Rubefacient Vulnerary Allergy Anorexia Arthrosis Asthma Atony Bacteria Bronchosis Cancer abdomen breast colon liver nose spleen stomach skin Catarrh Chilblain Cholecystosis Cold Congestion Cough Cramp Cystosis Dental Plaque Diabetes Dropsy Dysmenorrhea Dyspepsia Dysuria Edema Enterosis Fever Flu Freckle Fungus Gas Glossosis Gout Gravel Hepatosis High Blood Pressure Hoarseness Immunodepression Induration Infection Inflammation Myalgia Mycosis Neuralgia Pain Pertussis Respirosis Rheumatism Rhinosis Sciatica Sinusosis Sore Throat Splenosis Stomatosis Stone Swelling Toothache Tumor Typhoid Urethrosis UTI Water Retention Worm Wound

General Dosage

20 g fresh root; 1–2 tbsp fresh root; 2–4 g fresh root before meals; 1–2 drachms grated root; 1.5–3 g dry root; 2 g dry root:10 ml alcohol/10 ml water; 0.5–1 tsp root 3 ×/day; 2–3 ml tincture 3 ×/day.

Safety & Contraindications

Class 2d. Contraindicated with gastrosis, GI mucososis, and nephrosis. Not for children under 4 years old. “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages”. CAN cautions that glucosinolates are allergenic and irritant. Because of the irritant oil, excessive ingestion should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation. May depress thyroid function, an action “common to all members of the cabbage and mustard family.” “The oil is one of the most hazardous of all EOs and is not recommended for either external or internal use”. Excessive doses may lead to diarrhea or night sweats. “One case of a heart attack has been recorded—the patient survived”. Horseradish peroxidase hypotensive, stimulates arachidonic acid metabolites.

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