Herbs and plantsHorseradish — the pungent root that clears your sinuses better than drops?
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Henryk Różański notes that horseradish is used for infections of the urinary, respiratory and digestive systems, and of the skin.
- Fresh leaves are said to support the treatment of respiratory catarrh, allergies, and rheumatic and skin diseases.
- Applied to the skin, fresh horseradish is said to remove discoloration, lighten the skin, and inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi.
- Traditionally, the root was also used for digestive problems and impaired bile secretion, constipation, swelling, and joint and muscle pain.
- Traditional uses also included scurvy, parasitic infections, and absence of menstruation.
What the authors write
Henryk Różański
Juice from the fresh root was recommended for infections of the urinary system, skin, respiratory system, and digestive system.
„Juice from fresh horseradish root kills many resistant bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus, which is why it is recommended for infections of the urinary system, skin, respiratory system, and digestive system. The recommended oral dose is 20 g of freshly grated horseradish root per day, preferably in two portions of 10 g each.”Sok ze świeżego korzenia chrzanu zabija wiele opornych bakterii, np. Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, dlatego jest zalecany przy infekcjach układu moczowego, skóry, układu oddechowego oraz pokarmowego. Dawka doustna zalecana wynosi 20 g świeżego tartego korzenia chrzanu na dzień, najlepiej w dwóch porcjach, po 10 g.
Henryk Różański
Compounds in the root and leaves have been described as antimicrobial, and root juice as helpful for the infections listed.
„The roots are most valuable when fresh. Horseradish roots and leaves contain glucosinolates, including phytoncides with antimicrobial action that are an alternative to antibiotics. Glucosinolates include sinigrin and gluconasturtiin.”Korzenie są najwartościowsze w stanie świeżym.Korzenie i liście chrzanu zawierają glukozynolaty, wśród których można wyróżnić fitoncydy o działaniu przeciwdrobnoustrojowym będące alternatywą dla antybiotyków. Do glukozynolatów należy synigryna i glukonasturcyina.
Henryk Różański
Horseradish has been described as a source of compounds with antimicrobial properties, including antibacterial effects.
„Horseradish roots and leaves contain glucosinolates, including phytoncides with antimicrobial action (alternatives to antibiotics). Glucosinolates include sinigrin and gluconasturtiin. Under the influence of enzymes and acids, glucosinolates release mustard oil with a sharp, irritating, choking smell (allyl isothiocyanate).”Korzenie i liście chrzanu zawierają glukozynolaty, wśród których można wyróżnić fitoncydy o działaniu przeciwdrobnoustrojowym (alternatywy dla antybiotyków). Do glukozynolatów należy synigryna i glukonasturcyina. Pod wpływem enzymów i kwasów glukozynolaty uwalniają olejek gorczyczny o ostrym, drażniącym i duszącym zapachu (izosiarkocyjanian allilu).
Henryk Różański
Fresh horseradish is said to lighten the skin, remove spots, and inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi.
„The recommended oral dose is 20 g of freshly grated horseradish root per day, preferably in two portions (10 g each). Fresh horseradish has a skin-lightening effect, removes many spots, while also stimulating local blood circulation and inhibiting the growth of bacteria and fungi.”Dawka doustna zalecana wynosi 20 g świeżego tartego korzenia chrzanu na dzień, najlepiej w dwóch porcjach (po 10 g).Świeży chrzan działa wybielająco na skórę, usuwa liczne plamy, jednocześnie pobudza miejscowo krążenie krwi i hamuje rozwój bakterii oraz grzybów.
Henryk Różański
Acidified root juice with vitamin C is said to remove discoloration, cleanse pores, and soften the outer layer of skin.
„Horseradish root juice acidified with acetic, malic, glycolic, succinic, or preferably mandelic acid, and mixed with vitamin C, effectively removes skin discoloration, cleanses pores well, and softens the outer layer of skin.
A combination of grated horseradish and mandelic acid is very good for treating infections of the genitourinary tract and colon that are resistant to antibiotics and sulfonamides.”Sok z korzenia chrzanu zakwaszony kwasem octowym, jabłkowym, glikolowym, bursztynowym lub lepiej migdałowym (mandelic acid) i wymieszany dodatkowo z witaminą C efektywnie usuwa przebarwienia ze skóry, dobrze oczyszcza pory i zmiękcza naskórek.
Bardzo dobre jest połączenie tartego chrzanu z kwasem migdałowym (mandelic acid) w leczeniu zakażeń układu moczowo-płciowego i jelita grubego (opornych na antybiotyki i sulfonamidy).
Henryk Różański
An infusion of the leaves is said to support the treatment of respiratory catarrh, allergic diseases, and rheumatic and skin diseases.
„An infusion made from dried or fresh horseradish leaves is a source of sulfur compounds, flavonoids, and vitamins. It supports the treatment of respiratory catarrh and allergic diseases, and is helpful in treating rheumatic diseases (as a depurative) and skin diseases (related to metabolic and trophic disorders).”Napar z suchych lub świeżych liści chrzanu jest źródłem związków siarki, flawonoidów i witamin. Wspomaga leczenie nieżytów układu oddechowego i chorób alergicznych, pomocny w terapii chorób reumatycznych (jako depurativum) i skórnych (na tle zaburzeń metabolicznych i troficznych).
Henryk Różański
A leaf macerate or infusion has been described as helpful for respiratory catarrh, allergies, and rheumatic and skin diseases.
„Drink 3 cups of the infusion per day. An infusion made from dried or fresh horseradish leaves is a source of sulfur compounds, flavonoids, and vitamins. It supports the treatment of respiratory catarrh and allergic diseases, and is helpful in treating rheumatic diseases (as a depurative) [a blood-purifying agent—editor’s note] and skin diseases (related to metabolic and trophic disorders).”Pić 3 szklanki naparu dziennie.Napar z suchych lub świeżych liści chrzanu jest źródłem: związków siarki, flawonoidów i witamin. Wspomaga leczenie nieżytów układu oddechowego i chorób alergicznych, jest pomocny w terapii chorób reumatycznych (jako depurativum) [środek czyszczący krew – przyp. red.] i skórnych (na tle zaburzeń metabolicznych i troficznych).
Henryk Różański
The root was used for digestive problems and impaired bile secretion, respiratory and digestive infections, parasites, and scurvy.
„Mustard oil was distilled from fresh root using steam and then taken orally for infections of the digestive and respiratory systems, including parasitic diseases. It was also rubbed into the skin as a warming agent that stimulated blood circulation and helped lymphatic swelling to subside, and to stimulate blood circulation around joints affected by rheumatic disease.”Ze świeżego korzenia z parą wodną oddestylowywano olejek gorczyczny, który następnie podawano doustnie przy infekcjach układu pokarmowego i oddechowego, także parazytozach (chorobach pasożytniczych), ponadto wcierano w skórę jako środek rozgrzewający, pobudzający ukrwienie i rozchodzenie się obrzęków limfatycznych; pobudzający ukrwienie w okolicach stawów reumatycznie zmienionych.
Henryk Różański
In the past, the root was used for absence of menstruation, scurvy, dropsy, malaria, constipation, and digestive problems.
„Brown), fresh herb of brooklime—Herbae recentis Beccabungae (Veronica beccabunga L.), fresh horseradish root (Radicis recentis Armoraciae), all in white wine with added sugar. According to a description by Dr. Fr. Oesterlen (1861), horseradish root was used in traditional medicine to treat absence of menstruation (amenorrhoe), scurvy (Scorbut), dropsy, malaria, constipation, and digestive problems.”Brown), świeżego ziela przetacznika bobownika – Herbae recentis Beccabungae (Veronica beccabunga L.), świeżego korzenia chrzanu (Radicis recentis Armoraciae), a wszystko to na winie białym, z dodatkiem cukru.Zgodnie z opisem dra Fr. Oesterlena (1861 r.) korzeń chrzanu był wykorzystywany w dawnej medycynie w leczeniu: braku miesiączki (amenorrhoe), gnilca (Scorbut), puchliny wodnej, zimnicy, zaparć i zaburzeń w trawieniu.
Henryk Różański
Grated root was used in warming poultices for neuralgia, joint and muscle pain, and inflammation of soft tissues.
„For scurvy, it was given orally.
Freshly grated horseradish root was also used in warming poultices—Cataplasma Armoraciae ex tempore parata—for example, for neuralgia, joint pain, muscle pain, and inflammation of soft tissues (counterirritant treatment).”W leczeniu szkorbutu podawano doustnie.
Do okładów rozgrzewających stosowano także świeży tarty korzeń chrzanu – Cataplasma Armoraciae ex tempore parata, np. przy nerwobólach, bólach stawów, bólach mięśni, stanach zapalnych tkanek miękkich (leczenie bodźcowe).
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 3 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 20.
A combination of horseradish and nasturtium helped acute bronchitis symptoms—including cough, mucus, and chest pain—to subside more quickly.
Aim of the study: Tropaeolum majus herb (nasturtium) and Armoracia rusticana root (horseradish) produce three different isothiocyanates as secondary metabolites, which exert antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-modulatory functions in humans. Combined in the medicinal product ANGOCIN® Anti-Infekt N, the two natural components demonstrated promising effects against acute bronchitis.
Results: Compared to placebo intake, the group of patients treated with the phytomedicine showed statistically significant accelerated healing of bronchitis symptoms after three days of treatment, with reductions in coughing, mucous production, and chest pain. This beneficial effect persisted for the entire duration of treatment until day ten. In conclusion, a combination of Tropaeolum majus herb and Armoracia rusticana root promotes an elevated improvement of bronchitis symptomatology.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studystudy with random allocation to groups (RCT)
Participants384
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In a study of people with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction, taking a product containing horseradish and nasturtium was associated with fewer recurrent urinary tract infections and fewer antibiotic prescriptions.
Aim of the study: Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in individuals with neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTD) and greatly affect their quality of life. There is currently no established prophylactic measure based on evidence. We have therefore evaluated the effects of a horseradish root and nasturtium herb product on the frequency of UTIs in a retrospective cohort.
Results: Data of 43 individuals (mean age 49 ± 13 years, median NLUTD duration 17.9 years) were analyzed. The proportion of individuals with recurrent UTIs decreased significantly (p < 0.0001) from 58.1% (42.1-73.0%) to 23.3% (11.8-38.6%) during phytotherapy, whereas the proportion of individuals without UTIs increased significantly (p = 0.001) from 14.0% (5.3-27.9%) to 39.5% (25.0-55.6%). In addition, there was a significant (p = 0.008) decrease in the number of antibiotic prescriptions. Prophylactic treatment with horseradish root and nasturtium herb seems to be a promising option for the prevention of UTIs.
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyobservation of people
Participants43
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In laboratory studies, isothiocyanates found in horseradish acted against E. coli bacteria that cause urinary tract infections and limited their entry into epithelial cells.
Aim of the study: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria are increasingly causing urinary tract infections (UTI), which has been linked to frequent use of antibiotics. Alternative treatment regimens are urgently needed and natural isothiocyanates (ITC) may represent one. ITCs are natural plant products found in nasturtium (Tropaeoli majoris herba) and horseradish (Armoraciae rusticanae radix).
Results: The mean minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) 90 was 0.17 mg/ml, showing very high susceptibility against ITCs. Interestingly, MDR E. coli were significantly less susceptible than non-MDR strains (p = .01). Internalization of UPEC was decreased by 31.9% in the mean when treated with ITCs. Overall, ITCs exerted a strong antimicrobial activity against clinical UPEC isolates and reduced internalization into uroepithelial cells. ITCs might present a promising treatment alternative for UTIs, expressing both high antimicrobial activity as well as blocking the pathogenic process of human cell penetration by UPEC. Clinical studies, however, are needed to confirm activity of ITCs in UTIs in vivo.
Money for the studycompany or manufacturer · Repha Gmbh
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?YES
Type of studylaboratory study (on cells)
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
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