Content
Horseradish leaves have a number of healing qualities. The perennial herbaceous plant has found wide application not only in cooking. The product is used in folk medicine, but before preparing decoctions and tinctures, it is necessary to carefully study the beneficial properties and contraindications of horseradish leaves.
Composition of horseradish leaves
The leaf blades, like the root of the plant, have a piquant-spicy aroma. This is due to the presence of the glucosinolate enzyme in them. If consumed in large doses, the product is toxic to humans. Otherwise, the herbaceous perennial is safe.
Chemical composition of horseradish:
- dietary fiber;
- vitamins B, C;
- phosphoric acid;
- a nicotinic acid;
- sulfur;
- magnesium;
- iron;
- copper;
- carotene;
- potassium.
What are the benefits of horseradish leaves for the human body?
Benefits of horseradish leaves for the human body:
- Removing toxins.
- The product has expectorant properties. It is used to treat inflammatory processes of the upper respiratory tract.
- Preventing salt deposits in joints.
- Regular consumption of horseradish leaves is a good prevention of vitamin deficiency and prevents the occurrence of scurvy.
- Effective in the treatment of sinusitis and tonsillitis.
- When used systematically, horseradish promotes the regeneration of cartilage joint cells.
- Used to treat hepatitis.
- Helps improve digestion and increase appetite.
- It has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system and regulates blood pressure.
Horseradish improves cellular metabolism, helps reduce swelling, reduces fluid accumulation in cells
How to properly use horseradish leaves for treatment
Humanity has known about the beneficial properties of culture for a long time. Horseradish is not used in traditional medicine. The plant is widely used for preparing decoctions and tinctures in folk recipes.
For joint and muscle pain
To relieve pain in muscles and joints, medicinal compresses are made from horseradish, fixing the leaves with a bandage. If it is a raw product, it is applied to the sore joint with the upper side. When applied to the foot, a warm sock is put on over the fixing bandage.
Horseradish leaves are used like this: the fresh product is doused with boiling water, dried, then applied to the problem area. As in the previous case, they are fixed with a bandage.
The therapeutic compress is left for 8-10 hours; it is recommended to do it at night. The course of treatment is at least 10 days. Painful sensations become less after 2-3 sessions.
For toothache
To get rid of toothache, rinse your mouth with a decoction of horseradish leaves or make a compress.
To prepare a medicinal decoction for 150 ml of water, use 20 g of crushed product. The leaves are poured with boiling water and allowed to brew. After cooling, rinse the mouth.
For skin diseases
A medicinal tincture of leaves tones skin that begins to fade. It is used as a lotion.
Recipe:
- The leaves are washed and the longitudinal vein is removed.
- 50 g of the product is crushed into a pulp, poured with 250 ml of 3% essence of table vinegar (can be replaced with apple or grape).
- Infuse in a cool, dark room with the lid tightly closed for two weeks.
- The medicine is filtered. The resulting volume is brought to 1.5 liters and diluted with cooled boiled water.
The remedy is applied to the skin twice a day - in the morning and before bedtime.
From heel spurs
Horseradish helps relieve pain from heel spurs. Before applying it, knead it slightly, then fix it and put on the sock. The compress can be done not only at night. In the daytime, it is recommended to replace the sheet with a new one after a few hours.
Patients who have already discovered the beneficial properties of horseradish leaves for their feet note that in the first days of therapy, only veins remain from the leaf plates. Also, don’t be alarmed if you find salt crystals on your heel. After removing the sheet, it is recommended to wash the area where it was. The next step is to apply cream to prevent the skin on the heel from drying out.
For varicose veins
The leaves of the herbaceous perennial have proven themselves in the treatment of varicose veins. They help even with old illnesses. Applied to the problem area, they improve blood circulation in the extremities.
How to use it correctly:
- The leaves are washed before use.
- Apply to the body from the inside.
- To improve efficiency, the leaves are first warmed or doused with boiling water.
The therapeutic compress is left overnight, secured with an elastic bandage. If irritation appears on the skin, you can place a bandage or gauze under the sheet. The treatment course consists of five sessions, which are carried out every other day. Then it is recommended to take a two-week break and then repeat the therapy.
Vodka tincture
Medicinal tincture of horseradish with vodka is in some cases consumed orally, but more often used for rubbing and rinsing the mouth.
How to prepare a medicinal tincture:
- Before preparing the medicine, the product is thoroughly washed and the veins are removed.
- Place chopped leaves in a container up to the shoulders and tamp down well.
- Pour in 500 ml of vodka, close the lid, and place the jar on the middle shelf of the refrigerator.
- The medicine is infused for 6-7 days. Then the tincture is filtered.
The prepared medicinal product is stored at room temperature in a dark glass bottle.
To cleanse the body, with atherosclerosis and salt deposition, add 2-3 tbsp to the medicinal tincture. l. honey and juice of 2-3 lemons. The useful remedy is taken three times a day for 30 minutes. before meals, 1 tbsp. l.
Before rinsing the throat and mouth, the tincture is diluted with water.
Use of horseradish leaves in cooking
The benefits of dried and fresh horseradish leaves, which have found their use in cooking, have been proven. They are used during the preparation of winter preparations, to give dishes a rich taste and aroma.Horseradish leaves are used not only fresh, they are evaporated in a water bath, subjected to heat treatment, in each case the taste of the product is different, but does not lose its benefits and originality.
Only young leaves are suitable for fresh consumption. They are used in making sushi, replacing seaweed. Some housewives make cabbage rolls from them and add them to salads and hamburgers.
Old leaves are used to make preparations and serve finely chopped as part of first courses.
If horseradish and basil are combined, the products acquire sophistication and special piquancy.
Use in cosmetology
Horseradish is used in phytocosmetology. Preventive and therapeutic masks are prepared from it. Horseradish leaves are useful in a bath. The evaporation of the plant prevents the development of ARVI.
Face masks
Recipes for making medicinal face masks:
- Rejuvenating. Two leaves of horseradish are crushed in a blender, one root is chopped in a meat grinder. Add 1 tbsp to the resulting mass. l. sour cream. The mask is applied in a thin layer to the face. Wash off after 15 minutes using a cotton pad soaked in milk. After 5 min. wash with warm water.
- For the treatment of acne. First, wash your face with warm water, then apply a paste of horseradish leaves. Leave the mask on for 10-15 minutes, if it starts to burn, wash it off immediately.
- To tighten pores. 2 tsp. grated apple mixed with 1 tsp. pulp of leaves. Add 1 tsp to the mask. honey, mix well. Apply to the face after 10 minutes. washed off.
Inhaling horseradish vapor is also useful, as it prevents and helps avoid the appearance of cancerous tumors
Hair masks
The use of medicinal masks has a beneficial effect on the scalp and the health of hair follicles. A useful mixture that prevents hair loss:
- Squeeze 1 tbsp from crushed horseradish leaves. l. juice It is mixed with ½ tsp. burdock and 1 tsp. castor oil.
- Add 1 tsp to the mask. cognac and 1 tbsp. l. corn starch.
- The mixture is applied to the roots of washed hair. Cover with a plastic bag and wrap with a towel.
After an hour, wash off the treatment mask with warm water and shampoo.
Balm for weight loss
Horseradish leaves have a rich chemical composition. In addition to other components, they contain the enzyme myrosin, which improves metabolism.
Ingredients:
- horseradish root – 100 g;
- lemon juice – ½ fruit;
- honey - 3 tbsp. l.
The components of the balm are mixed, take 1 tsp. twice a day before meals. Store the finished medicinal product for no more than three days.
Contraindications and possible harm
Despite the undeniable benefits of horseradish leaves for human health, they can also cause harm.
When the product is contraindicated:
- Cannot be used to treat children under 12 years of age.
- It is prohibited to use medicinal products based on horseradish during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- In inflammatory processes in the gastric mucosa.
- It is undesirable to use for pathologies of the kidneys and liver.
- It is prohibited to take internal medications for chronic inflammation of the colon and rectum, as well as for duodenal ulcers.
- If there are diseases of the digestive tract of an acute or chronic nature.
- When a person experiences attacks of increased stomach acidity after taking a medication.
Conclusion
The beneficial properties and contraindications of horseradish leaves have been known to people for a long time.Adherents of alternative medicine use them to prepare healing tinctures and compresses that relieve pain, and cosmetic masks that help maintain beauty and health.
