Horseradish: health benefits and harms

Horseradish belongs to garden crops, it grows everywhere except in the Arctic regions. Despite the fact that the Greeks and Romans began to add it to food for the first time, it is considered exclusively a Russian seasoning. It was the Slavs who created many recipes based on it and discovered many useful properties.

Cultivate horseradish on the territory of modern Russia began in the IX century. And at the beginning of the XIV century. he came to Germany, after which he spread throughout Europe. It is noteworthy that it was in Germany that the plant was very popular. Most recently, horseradish came to England, where it was called "horse radish." As for cooking, in Russia its use was mandatory in the preparation of festive dishes, for example, aspic. However, it was originally used in cooking by commoners, and only later horseradish got into the kitchen of the nobility.

Composition and calorie content

Horseradish is a plant unpretentious in growing. In one place, it can grow over time, has a developed root system. In its natural habitat grows along river banks and in places with high humidity. Horseradish is considered a powerful phytoncid - a natural antibiotic. The leaves also contain a large amount of essential oils, which give them a special aroma and taste.

The plant is rich in vitamins (retinol, nicotinic acid, C and E, as well as a number of vitamins B), micro and macro elements (potassium, iron, sulfur, zinc, etc.).

Energy value: about 60 kcal per 100 g, which makes horseradish a dietary product.

Useful properties of horseradish

If we talk about useful properties, then in the first place it should be noted the ability to stimulate the body's immunity to various types of infections.

In fact, the plant has significant healing properties that are recognized by official medicine. From it, you can prepare infusions, decoctions and other means that will help with pathologies of the bronchi, treat cystitis, will be useful for asthma, hepatitis, infectious diseases, vitamin deficiency, etc.

For women

Every woman wants to preserve her beauty for as long as possible, and horseradish can provide such an opportunity, since it contains vitamin E. It is also called the "vitamin of youth." Its value is so great that it is even released as an active dietary supplement, it is part of most ointments and creams, and is also an essential component of most vitamin complexes.

The fact is that retinol promotes the active regeneration of dermal cells, their faster renewal. Due to this, the skin becomes elastic and beautiful. It also acts on the hair follicles, making them strong and dense.

Horseradish is also used to eliminate pain and discomfort during PMS. This is possible thanks to the same vitamin E.

Speaking about preserving beauty, one cannot but mention vitamin A, which is a powerful antioxidant that blocks the effect of free radicals on body cells. This phenomenon is expressed in the prevention of cell damage and premature aging.

For women, the elimination of toxins and toxins is an important factor, it is necessary not only for health in general, but also for body shaping.

For men

In the modern world, ecology, stress, malnutrition lead to a decrease in potency in men. If earlier this manifested itself with age, today it has become a scourge for young people. Of course, there are many expensive medical products and other methods. But one of the easiest and most affordable methods to increase potency is horseradish. By regularly eating it as an additive, you can significantly improve "male strength."

In addition, horseradish is a powerful natural aphrodisiac - a means of increasing sex drive not only in men but also in women.

It is not only able to increase potency or improve libido, but is also used to treat urological diseases. It is a mild and safe diuretic that, among other things, strengthens the urogenital system and inhibits germs and viruses that lead to its diseases.

Another great feature that will be useful to men is an improvement in the blood supply to the follicles. Studies have shown that masks and horseradish products can “awaken” hair follicles and give them all the necessary vitamins and minerals. Therefore, it is used to treat baldness and with profuse hair loss.

In addition, horseradish contains a large amount of potassium, which together with magnesium improves the cardiovascular system and prevents the occurrence of diseases associated with it, and also reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

During pregnancy

During pregnancy, women should especially carefully monitor their diet, as some products can both benefit and harm the expectant mother and the baby herself.

It is important to understand that during pregnancy, the mother’s immunity is weakened, and horseradish contains erucic acid. It even in healthy people can cause problems with the gastrointestinal tract and give an additional load on the liver, which is extremely harmful in this position.

An important feature of horseradish is its ability to increase blood pressure, which is also not very good during pregnancy.

But the useful properties include the ability of the plant to fight viruses that cause influenza and other respiratory diseases. Horseradish in this case can help as quickly and safely as possible. It contains essential oils, which together with vitamin A have a greater effect on the body than lemon or other citrus fruits. It is best to use it for these purposes with honey.

Nevertheless, pregnancy is not the best time for experimenting with food, it is better to postpone them to the postpartum period.

When breastfeeding

For most expectant mothers, the question often arises of what to eat when breastfeeding. This sometimes becomes a real dilemma. To answer this question correctly, you need to understand what happens to the child himself in the first months of his life. The digestive tract of the newborn is completely sterile. Various bacteria that help digestion begin to “settle” in it. But along with them, a pathogenic environment appears, so there are colic, eating disorders, allergies, etc. That is why during this period you need to carefully choose food.

As for horseradish, this is an excellent anti-inflammatory drug for colds, however, you can use it when breastfeeding only after consulting a doctor. In general, in the first half of the year it is better to refuse such products as horseradish, onion and radish, as they tend to irritate the mucous membrane.

Horseradish can be introduced into the diet gradually after 6 months, while you should carefully monitor the condition of the baby. If an allergic reaction occurs - redness of the skin, the appearance of spots or itching - you should immediately refuse to use the plant. You also need to carefully monitor his stool.

For children

As mentioned earlier, horseradish strongly irritates the gastric mucosa, which can lead to disruption of the digestive tract, as well as to improper digestion.It is believed that horseradish can be introduced into a child’s diet from the age of 4, however, some pediatricians talk about the age of 7 years. In any case, this must be done extremely carefully and monitor the condition of the body.

When you can not give children horseradish for food:

• with allergies;
• violation of the internal organs: kidneys, adrenal glands and liver;
• individual intolerance.

It is best to include horseradish in salads, seasoning it with olive oil or sour cream.

The benefits of horseradish for children:

1. From the plant, a means is made for inhalation of the respiratory tract for respiratory diseases and cough.
2. Leaves with honey - an excellent cough medicine and to alleviate the condition with bronchitis.
3. With prolonged dry cough, difficult to treat, use a product based on lemon juice and horseradish.
4. Horseradish compresses can be used as mustard plasters.

When losing weight

There is no woman who does not want to have a slim figure. Recently, ecology, poor nutrition, a sedentary lifestyle lead to the accumulation of fat in the body. In the pursuit of fashionable and costly products that sometimes raise doubts about quality and effectiveness, many overlook simple products that can actually help lose weight.

One of them is horseradish. To make this clear, you need to understand the “recipe” of the ideal figure. To do this, you need to engage in active sports and eat right. How can horseradish help? The fact is that he primarily has a "negative calorie content." It is so insignificant that the body will need more energy to process it than it will give.

The second important factor is its ability to improve the digestive tract through stimulation of motility and peristalsis. It also contains a sufficient amount of insoluble dietary fiber, which removes toxins and toxins from the body, which provoke the accumulation of fat.

In addition, horseradish stimulates the metabolism, accelerates it, thereby affecting the speed of metabolic processes, and this directly affects weight loss.

Another property that few people think about. Some time ago it was believed that with a diet or dietary restrictions, spices should not be included in the diet, since they increase appetite. But relatively recent studies have shown that this is far from the case. The unique taste, namely, the bitterness of horseradish dulls taste buds. So, a person who eats dishes with horseradish begins to eat much less, which is reflected in his weight.

The benefits and uses of horseradish leaves

The leaves of the plant are quite large, elliptical in shape, strong. Since horseradish belongs to the Cabbage family, they remotely resemble a cabbage leaf. Horseradish leaves have long been used in folk medicine. And in England, the culture was originally grown exclusively for medicinal purposes.

The leaves contain many vitamins, volatile, dietary fiber and beneficial macro- and micronutrients. Unlike other plants, they are rich in proteins and carbohydrates.

Use of horseradish leaves:

1. They remove toxins from the body by stimulating the digestive tract.
2. They contain a lot of vitamin C (more than in lemon, and they can also compete with black currants).
3. They are a natural antibiotic that inhibits pathogenic microbes and viruses.
4. They help remove age spots from the skin.

The use of horseradish leaves:

• the manufacture of medicinal infusions and decoctions;
• preservation of vegetables in cooking (they kill the pathogenic environment, which is the cause of imminent spoilage);
• antiseptic for dressings and compresses;
• preventing the development of mold of vegetables, in particular tomatoes and cucumbers.

Horseradish in medicine

As mentioned above, horseradish has significant medicinal properties, and in some countries it was originally grown exclusively as a medicinal plant.

In Russia, in addition to being used to prepare various dishes, horseradish was also widely used in folk medicine.Almost from the very beginning of cultivation, such medicinal characteristics of the plant were known:

1. The juice obtained from the root has antibacterial properties.
2. The root is used for the treatment and prevention of influenza and other respiratory diseases.
3. Infusions and decoctions of horseradish are recommended for rinsing the mouth with a disease of tonsillitis and tonsillitis.
4. Scientifically proven that horseradish decoction is an excellent remedy for diarrhea. It is also used to treat ear infections.

In addition, it was used to treat diseases of the kidneys, genitourinary system, malaria, gout, etc.

With diabetes

Diabetes is an incurable disease. This pathology is characterized by a malfunction of the pancreas when it stops or does not produce enough insulin, which processes glucose into energy.

There are two types of diabetes: 1st and 2nd degree. If in the first case, treatment is only insulin injections and a special diet, then in the second - the cause of its occurrence is an unbalanced diet, stress, obesity, great physical exertion and other factors.

As already mentioned, in order to successfully confront an ailment, not only treatment is required, but also nutrition. So, products that can lower blood sugar will help in the treatment, as well as reduce the required number of medicines that have side effects. These include horseradish.

First of all, with regular use of horseradish root and its leaves, overweight is reduced, the main cause of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Horseradish is also an excellent tool to help increase stress resistance and normalize the digestive tract. It also promotes good blood circulation, reducing blood viscosity and improving the elastic properties of capillaries and blood vessels.

It is important to know that you can not use horseradish in any form in the acute phase of the disease.

Important: the glycemic index of horseradish is 35 units.

With pancreatitis

Pancreatitis, like diabetes, is an ailment associated with a malfunction of the pancreas. With this pathology, the enzymes that it produces do not enter the intestine, but begin to activate directly in it, which leads to its destruction. The cause of this disease in half the cases is malnutrition associated with alcohol abuse.

When treating pancreatitis, it is important to observe, in addition to the course of treatment, a strict diet. As for horseradish, it should never be eaten, not only during an exacerbation of the disease, but also at the stage of remission, and here's why:

1. Horseradish has allergenic properties, and this is unacceptable in the inflammatory process and even dangerous.
2. Horseradish owes such a bright and pungent taste to the presence of essential oils, in particular mustard. In addition, it contains alliester and fatty acids, which stimulate the release of enzymes that cause the destruction of the pancreas.
3. Insoluble dietary fiber is invaluable for the gastrointestinal tract, but with pancreatitis they can have a detrimental effect: increased pain, diarrhea and gas, which is unacceptable in case of illness.

With gastritis

Gastritis is a disease in which inflammation of the gastric mucosa occurs as a result of exposure to a pathogenic environment. Therefore, for a successful treatment, it is important to adhere to a strict diet.

In gastritis, eating horseradish is strictly prohibited, because the spice negatively affects the inflamed areas. The ban applies not only to the acute phase, but also to all stages of recovery. At the same time, it does not matter at all what acidity in the stomach is reduced or increased. The use of horseradish with gastritis will aggravate the course of the disease and can lead to ulceration.

With gout

Gout is a long-term illness, expressed by inflammatory processes in the tissues of the joints, caused by metabolic disorders. Often, along with drug treatment, unconventional drugs, in particular horseradish, are used to combat the disease. It is noteworthy, but in such European countries as Belgium and France, the plant is officially recognized as a medicinal.

Compresses, baths, infusions and decoctions can help not only with gout, but also with other diseases. Horseradish, first of all, is useful in that it contains a lot of vitamins and nutrients that have a beneficial effect on the ongoing processes.

So, gout is characterized by the accumulation of urate or uric acid in the tissues, therefore, with a pathology, you should adhere to a certain diet, since these substances are products of protein breakdown. During treatment, it is necessary first of all to stop the development of the disease and relieve cramping and pain.

As for horseradish, infusions and decoctions are made directly from the root, and compresses from fresh leaves. The plant helps relieve pain, inflammation, and also helps in removing uric acid from the body. In addition, it improves blood circulation and normalizes the digestive tract.

For the liver

Often horseradish is called "Russian ginseng," but you should not abuse this plant. In case of liver dysfunction, it is strongly not recommended to eat horseradish, but it has a positive and even healing effect on it. There are even recipes that can slow down, as well as alleviate the condition of a patient with cirrhosis.

The fact is that horseradish has an excellent choleretic effect, this not only helps to restore the normal functioning of the body, but also to prevent possible diseases in the future. To do this, you can use both leaves, plants, and flowers, and the root. Various infusions, decoctions and other products are prepared from them.

With hemorrhoids

The cause of hemorrhoids, as in the case of pancreatitis, is primarily alcohol abuse and poor nutrition. Horseradish in this case will be very useful both as a seasoning for food, and in the form of infusions and decoctions. The reason lies in its useful properties, since it:

1. Improves blood circulation in the body, including the lower sections.
2. It normalizes the digestive tract due to the presence of essential oils and coarse insoluble dietary fiber.
3. Normalizes stool.

Based on the above, we can safely say that horseradish is able to eliminate the cause of the disease and create conditions for successful treatment.

Horseradish-based traditional medicine recipes

As mentioned earlier, horseradish for health promotion can be taken not only as a dietary supplement, but also to prepare various means from it.

Diabetes treatment

The ability of horseradish to lower blood glucose levels became known relatively recently - at the end of the last century. It works especially well in combination with dairy products.

What is needed:

• Sour milk - 1 l.
• Horseradish - 100 g.

How to cook:

1. Rinse and peel the horseradish thoroughly, then chop, the grater is best for this.
2. Add sour milk to the crushed horseradish.

Take the remedy before eating 1 tbsp. spoon in 20 minutes, three times a day.

Recipe 2
There is also a recipe for diabetes in beer and garlic. It will appeal to the strong half of humanity.

What is needed:

• Horseradish - the root should be about 20 cm long and about 1.5 cm thick.
• Garlic - a few cloves.
• Beer.

How to cook:

1. Wash the root, but do not peel. Then grind and pour into a bottle.
2. Peel the garlic and add it to the horseradish.
3. Pour fresh beer.

The resulting mixture should be kept in a dark place for about 10 days.

How to use:

1. First you need to use 1 teaspoon three times a day before meals, for 2-3 days.
2. After that, drink the drug for 1 tbsp. spoon.

Take the medicine for 1 month.

For the treatment of joint diseases

For diseases and pain in the joints, various rubbing leaves are used as a compress. However, there is also a remedy that is recommended to be taken when such problems occur and inside.

For cooking you will need:

• Horseradish, celery and garlic - 100 g each.
• 1 large lemon.

How to cook:

1. Rinse horseradish and celery, peel and grind.
2. Peel and chop the garlic.
3. Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
4. Add lemon juice.

Keep this mixture in the refrigerator. Take 1 teaspoon before meals every day once in the morning. Especially it helps with rheumatism and back pain.

Osteochondrosis

A fairly common way to treat joint diseases are various compresses and rubbing based on horseradish. To prepare the grinding, it is necessary to take in equal proportions the juice obtained from horseradish, and vodka and mix. This remedy relieves acute pain in joints and muscles. After the procedure, it is necessary to keep the sore spot warm by wrapping it in a woolen scarf.

For the treatment of osteochondrosis, plant leaves are also used. To do this, they must be placed for a moment in boiling water, allowed to cool and applied to the focus of pain. A plastic bag should be placed on top and wrapped in a warm scarf.

You can also prepare a decoction, which is used to take therapeutic baths. To do this, you need to grind half a kilogram of fresh horseradish leaves, then pour 750 ml of boiling water and leave to infuse for a day.

Then strain the infusion and add 1 glass to the bathroom, the water temperature should be about 40 C. It must be taken within half an hour. The entire course is at least 7 procedures.

Horseradish cold treatment

In folk medicine, the plant has long been used to treat respiratory diseases and colds. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of the plant provide a high content of essential oils in the leaves. For example, to treat nasal congestion, only a quarter of 1 teaspoon of frozen horseradish should be placed in the mouth. After a few minutes, he will thin the mucus, which will accelerate its release, thereby ensuring a quick recovery.

Tea that is made from ginger and horseradish can overcome cough and fever. For cooking, take two pieces of the root of both plants and brew. It should be noted that the broth turns out to be very sharp, it is strictly forbidden to give it to children.

Cough inhalation

Probably everyone knows that potato broth is an excellent tool for treating cough, however, horseradish can be used to obtain greater effectiveness.

How to cook:

1. Prepare a decoction of potatoes. Do not drain the water.
2. Then add a little grated horseradish and 1-2 tablets of validol to the broth.

It is necessary to bow your head over the tank and breathe steam for at least 10 minutes. To get the best result, the procedure can be performed twice: in the morning and in the evening.

Horseradish in cosmetology

It is used not only for the treatment of diseases, but also for cosmetic purposes, in particular for the manufacture of masks for hair and face.

For face

Horseradish, as a component of face masks, restores the water balance in the dermis, makes the skin supple, beautiful and supple. It is best to use these products for aging skin and as a remedy for fatigue.

1. Mask based on egg yolks. For cooking, you need to take the same amount of yolk, cream and grated horseradish. Mix all the ingredients (you can use a blender), after which the product is ready to be applied. Such a mask must be left to act on the face for at least 15 minutes, then rinse and apply a moisturizer.
2. Horseradish and sour milk.For cooking, you will need homemade sour milk, as much grated horseradish, you need to add starch to the mixture so that it is not too thin. The mask will refresh the skin, add a blush and make it more elastic. Making such a mask is often not recommended. Enough 1-2 times a week.
3. Another excellent anti-aging agent is a mask made from horseradish and the most common oatmeal. It is suitable for all skin types. However, if the skin is very oily, then you need to add egg white, otherwise - the yolk. Horseradish and cereal should be mixed in equal proportions, add yolk or protein, apply to the face and let it work for at least 15 minutes. Then rinse with cool water and apply the appropriate cream.

For hair

The main benefit of horseradish for curls is the activation of bulbs, which leads to the growth of strong and magnificent hair.

1. The most popular hair mask is a mixture of horseradish and yolk. For cooking, you will also need an egg yolk. It is prepared as follows: first beat the yolk, add 2 tbsp to it. tablespoons of cream and as much grated horseradish, mix everything thoroughly. Then immediately apply to hair. Allow to act for several minutes and rinse with water.
2. Activating hair growth is a mask based on a decoction of chamomile and horseradish, it also helps to heal microtraumas and relieves inflammation of the scalp. For cooking, you need equal proportions of chamomile broth and grated horseradish, which must be mixed and applied to the hair and scalp. Allow to act for several minutes and rinse.
3. Mask with horseradish for oily hair. For cooking, you need grated horseradish and red wine. Mix the components thoroughly in a ratio of 1 to 2 and leave to infuse for a day. Then apply to hair, leave to act for several minutes and rinse with shampoo. This mask helps to normalize the secretion of sebaceous glands and removes oily sheen.

Harm and contraindications

Horseradish has a number of useful properties and qualities, but sometimes its use can harm the body. This can happen in the following cases:

• with increased acidity of the stomach (this enhances the production of hydrochloric acid in the body);
• pancreatitis, gastritis and gastrointestinal disorders;
• allergies to horseradish and individual intolerance;
• inflammation of the genitourinary system;
• high blood pressure;
• any disorders of the thyroid gland.

It is also not recommended to use it during pregnancy and lactation.

How to choose and store horseradish

To maximize the shelf life of the horseradish root, you should choose it correctly. Harvest horseradish twice a year - in spring and autumn. The most optimal plant age is 3 years, and the variety must also be taken into account. The most popular are Volkovsky and Atlant.

When choosing, you need to pay attention to the following points:

1. The root should not be too dry or old (processes began to appear).
2. The spine length is at least 20 cm.
3. On the cut, the color must be white or milky.
4. There should be no stains or rot marks on the surface.
5. The root is relatively even, light brown or yellow.
6. You should not get horseradish roots with green blotches, they will be very bitter.
7. It is better not to acquire the root in the form of a powder in large quantities, since it will quickly lose its flavor.

How to store:

1. You can store in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. In unwashed and uncleaned form, he can maintain his qualities for up to 9 months.
2. Purified horseradish can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 3 months. It is better to use it in the first 4 weeks.
3. If the root has darkened, then it is better to throw it away.
4. To extend the shelf life of grated horseradish, you can use white vinegar and salt. With these components in a closed container, it will retain its taste and useful properties for a month.

Is it possible to freeze

Horseradish root is not recommended to be frozen or dried, as it will lose some of its taste. In frozen form it is stored for no more than six months.

How to cook horseradish: recipes

Seasoning

Homemade horseradish with beets is not only an excellent seasoning for dishes of vegetables, fish and meat, but also an excellent preventive measure.

What is needed:

• Beetroot juice - 2 tbsp. spoons.
• Horseradish, root - 300 g.
• Table vinegar 9% - 100 g.
• Sugar and salt - 1 tbsp. spoon.

How to cook:

1. Thoroughly remove the horseradish root and rinse it in running water.
2. Then grind, for this they either use a grater, or they pass through a meat grinder with a fine mesh.
3. Pour the resulting mass with boiling water (150 ml) and leave to cool to room temperature.
4. To get the juice, boil the beets on their own and squeeze the required amount. It is better to choose a salad for these purposes.
5. When the horseradish has cooled, add beet juice, sugar, salt and vinegar to it.
6. Mix everything thoroughly.

Ready seasoning can be placed in a glass jar. Keep it in the refrigerator, in such conditions it can lie for about six months.

Serve best with meat dishes.

The recipe for "hrenodera"

To prepare a snack you will need:

• Horseradish root and tomatoes - 1 kg each.
• Garlic - 3-4 cloves.
• Sugar - 2 tbsp. spoons.
• Salt - 1 tbsp. the spoon.

How to cook:

1. Blanch the tomatoes and cut into 4 parts.
2. Peel the horseradish and cut into small pieces.
3. Peel the garlic and grate.
4. Then through the meat grinder alternately skip the tomatoes and horseradish.
5. Add sugar, salt and garlic to the resulting mixture.
6. Arrange in banks and put in the refrigerator.

Such a snack can be stored up to six months.

How much horseradish can you eat per day

As an independent vegetable, horseradish is not recommended for use, since it irritates the gastric mucosa quite strongly, so it is better to eat it as a seasoning for food. In addition, excessive consumption increases the acidity of the stomach, which cannot pass without consequences for the gastrointestinal tract.

Interesting facts about horseradish

1. Horseradish is often called "Russian ginseng" because of the medicinal properties of the plant.
2. It is still not exactly established where this plant comes from. So, records were found in which it was said that horseradish was consumed even in Ancient Egypt.
3. In the USA, horseradish is a strategic product not only for medicine, but also for the country's defense.
4. Recent studies by Japanese scientists have established the fact that horseradish is actively fighting the bacteria that cause tooth decay and plan to use it to create toothpaste.
5. The amount of vitamin C in horseradish is 5 times more than in any citrus.
6. Among other medicinal plants, he takes first place in importance.
7. In ancient Rome, horseradish was used to treat sciatica.
8. Some doctors claim that if you breathe a few minutes daily over a grated fresh horseradish root, you can prevent the onset of cancer.
9. Horseradish has received the widest distribution in cooking; many sauces and seasonings for meat dishes are prepared from it.
10. In Russia, tincture of vodka and horseradish could be drunk at any post station, it was believed that it relieves any fatigue.

Horseradish photo