Properties of horseradish root include strong antibiotic, expectorant, bronchodilatator, antibacterial, coronary vasodilatator. However, systemically horseradish raises blood pressure associated with its heat characteristic. The immune system is stimulated, and oh yes! it has anti-inflammatory properties in addition to being antiparasitic, antianemic, antiscorbutic (prevents scurvy by preservation of vitamin C) and is a diuretic. It can stimulate the appetite. Also it is known that horseradish has aphrodisiacal properties. Seriously! Where has this been hiding and why does this not get more press! Horseradish, I love you.
Juice #1
- Kale - 1 cup
- Tomatao - 2 medium
- Horseradish root - 1" (2.5cm)
Something that goes with heat. I'm wondering how the antiscorbutic property applies when in direct combination with citrus. I think this will be optimal. When I go off to do my research, I find more wonderful things about horseradish.
Horseradish contains good amount of dietary fiber (however, lost in the juicer).
• The root contains a variety of phytochemicals, allyl isothiocyanate, 3-butenyl isothiocyanate, 2-propenylglucosinlate (sinigrin), 2-pentyl isothiocyanate, and phenylethyl isothiocyanate.These compounds have anti-oxidant as well as de-toxification functions. Detox? Bonus!
• Gastric stimulant - helps digestion, stimulates salivary secretions and digestive enzyme secretions.
• Horseradish contains vitamin-C !
• The root contains sodium, potassium, manganese, iron, copper, zinc, and magnesium. Iron is an important co-factor for cytochrome-oxidase enzymes during cellular metabolism, and is absorbed more readily in the stomach in the presence of vitamin C. The root has small amounts of essential vitamins such as folate, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid.
Juice #2
- Horseradish - 1" inch (2.5cm)
- Grapefruit-1
- Clementine - 2
Juice #3
- Pineapple - ½
- Papaya - ½
- Mango - 1
- Horseradish - 1" (2.5cm)
Its edible medicinal roots and their juice are traditionally known for
many health benefits. It is one among the cruciferous vegetables
(broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts) known to contain
glucosinolates. Glucosinolates are precursors to antimicrobial and
antitumor compounds like allyl isothiocyanate and indoles.
Intact horseradish roots do not have any aroma. When the roots
are cut or grated, a glucosinolate (sinigrin) present in the juices
from the damaged cells is degraded by the enzyme myrosinase
into a mustard oil (allyl isothiocyanate). Allyl isothiocyanate has a
typical pungent odor. On exposure to air and heat, the cut roots
loose their pungency and become dark with unpleasant bitter
taste. They are mixed with vinegar to keep their quality and health
benefits.
Health benefits of horseradish
- Traditionally horseradish roots and their juice are being used as medicine for treating a number of health conditions and ailments.
- In herbal medicine, horseradish juice is used for treating sinusitis, bronchitis and urinary tract infections.
- Its juice is used as rubefacient and rubbed on skin to stimulate blood circulation below the skin for relieving pains.
- Another health benefit is that its juice is a diuretic.
- Culinary benefits include use in sauce, salad and soup preparations.
- Horseradish is rich in vitamin C and also contains selenium, potassium, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.
- It also has dietary fibers, particularly soluble fibers.
- Glucosinolates, sinigrin and gluconasturtiin (phenethylglucosinolate), present in root juice impart many medicinal health benefits to horseradish.
- The extracted glucosinolates in fully developed roots contain 83% sinigrin and 11% gluconasturtiin.
Antimicrobial health benefits of horseradish
Research studies have substantiated the use in herbal medicine for
antimicrobial health benefits. Goos KH, Albrecht U and Schneider B. in
their research studies compared treatment benefits of the herbal drug
containing horseradish root juice with standard antibiotics.
They found that herbal drug containing horseradish displayed a clear
advantageous safety profile and benefits when compared with standard
antibiotics in treating acute sinusitis, acute bronchitis and acute urinary
tract infection.
Further it is found that horseradish root juice inhibits the development of
antibiotic resistance by bacterial biofilms and multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Jakobsen TH et al (Department of International Health, Immunology and
Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.) found
in their research studies that iberin, an isothiocyanate produced by
horseradish exhibited the highest activity in blocking the bacterial
communication, also known as quorum sensing (QS), which is essential
for development of drug resistance in bacteria.
Anti-tumor effects and health benefits
antitumor properties. Zhang Y. (Department of Cancer Prevention and
Control, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA) in his
research studies "Allyl isothiocyanate as a cancer chemopreventive
phytochemical" concluded that "Bioavailability of Allyl isothiocyanate is
extremely high, as nearly 90% of orally administered AITC is absorbed.
Overall, Allyl isothiocyanate exhibits many desirable attributes of a
cancer chemopreventive agent, and further studies are warranted in
order to elucidate its mechanism of action and to assess its protective
activity in humans." Hence there is a great possibility of horseradish roots
juice having a greater role as a cancer preventive agent.
Horseradish should not be consumed in excess as it can irritate the
gastrointestinal tract. People with peptic ulcers and children below four
years should avoid horseradish juice.
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