Content
The health benefits and harms of horseradish root are something you should know about before consuming this product and using products prepared on its basis. The plant is considered a gift from nature for human health and is often used in folk medicine. The culture is unpretentious, it is very easy to plant and grow in a personal plot.
Composition and calorie content
The benefits of the product are achieved thanks to the rich composition and properties that horseradish root has on the human body. The product contains glucose, potassium sulfate, allyl mustard oil, lysozyme, ascorbic acid, alkaloids. It contains vitamins B, E, PP, as well as fiber, pantothenic acid, carotene, and lutein. It should be noted that the plant surpasses lemon in the content of vitamin C, which is rich in many mineral compounds.The calorie content of horseradish root is 59 kcal per 100 g of product.
What are the benefits of horseradish root for the human body?
The medicinal properties of horseradish root and its benefits were learned several centuries ago. Among the main advantages are the following:
- The product is used as a powerful stimulant to increase the tone of the digestive system.
- It has diuretic properties and is used to treat gout, bladder infections, and kidney diseases.
- It is considered a powerful fungicide and bactericide.
- Useful for vitamin deficiency, strengthens the immune system.
- Used for frostbite, facial neuralgia, rheumatism.
- Improves digestion and increases stomach acidity, has a positive effect on intestinal microflora.
- Lowers sugar levels.
- Promotes healing of purulent wounds.
- Removes stones from the bladder.
- Gets rid of freckles and age spots on the face.
- Helps improve appetite.
- Useful for baldness, sciatica, seborrhea, bronchitis, pneumonia, angina, anemia.
- Normalizes blood pressure and improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
- Has analgesic and analgesic properties.
- Strengthens bone health.
- Improves cognitive functions.
- Helps with weight loss.
The use of horseradish root in folk medicine
The health benefits of horseradish root have been known since ancient times; it was regularly used in folk medicine. Traditionally used for respiratory and cold infections, medicinal infusions, syrups and decoctions were prepared on its basis. Horseradish root was called a powerful remedy that could greatly enhance health.
For diabetes
The benefit of horseradish root for diabetes is to improve the functioning of the pancreas and the production of insulin. To prepare a decoction based on the plant, you need:
- Grind the main ingredient in an amount of 250 g.
- Pour in 3 liters of water.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes.
- Cool.
- Strain through cheesecloth.
Drink the composition 60 ml three times a day.
Against cough
To prepare cough suppressants, use the following technology:
- Wash the root of the plant, peel it, and grate it with a fine-toothed grater.
- Save the juice from two lemons.
- Mix both ingredients.
Drink the product slightly warmed, 1 tsp. in the morning before meals.
Also, for sore throat, gargling with a decoction helps, for the preparation of which the product is crushed, poured with a glass of boiling water, left for half an hour, and filtered.
For sinusitis
The benefits of horseradish have been proven for diseases such as sinusitis. A mixture of 150 g of crushed raw materials and 100 ml of freshly squeezed lemon juice will help overcome the disease. It should be taken morning and evening, ½ tsp.
For bad breath
To get rid of bad breath, grind 20 g of horseradish root and pour the mixture into 0.4 liters of vodka. Infuse the mixture in a dark room, shaking occasionally, for three days. Rinse your mouth with the resulting tincture several times a day.
Bath for radiculitis
The benefits of horseradish have been proven for gout and radiculitis.To treat these diseases, take 50 g of the root of the plant, grind it and wrap it in several layers of gauze. Next, they lower the bundle into a bathtub filled with warm water and bathe in it.
For osteochondrosis
To prevent osteochondrosis, most often it is not the root that is used, but the leaves of the crop. They are washed in the amount of 15 pieces, filled with hot water (10 l), tightly closed, and infused for a day in the dark. Pour 3 liters of infusion into a bathtub filled with water and bathe for half an hour for three days.
It is useful to carry out the procedure one and a half hours before and after meals.
For angina pectoris
The benefits of the product are also observed for angina pectoris. People suffering from this disease need to consume a mixture of grated root and honey in a 1:1 ratio, ½ tbsp, every day for a month. l. on an empty stomach.
Use in cosmetology
The healing properties of horseradish root and its ability to kill harmful bacteria have found their application in cosmetology. You can learn about the benefits of the plant when used externally from various sources. It has been proven that masks made from it help the skin cleanse and renew itself. They are used in cosmetology to improve blood circulation, give a healthy complexion and prolong youth. Due to their antiseptic properties, they are suitable for fighting pimples and acne, getting rid of freckles and age spots.
For rejuvenation
Women have known about the benefits of horseradish for rejuvenation for a long time. To do this, they used different recipes, but the following option worked best:
- Wash the plant root, dry it, and chop it.
- Separate the egg yolk from the white.
- Mix the prepared ingredients with cream in equal proportions.
- Apply the composition to your face for a quarter of an hour.
Whitening mask
Horseradish root is often used to prepare a whitening mask, which is also suitable for those who want to get rid of freckles. To do this, take a teaspoon of the grated product, combine it with 30 g of oatmeal powder and 60 g of fat sour cream, mix well, apply to problem areas for 10-20 minutes.
For oily skin
For those who suffer from oily skin, horseradish will also be useful. The mask is prepared as follows: oatmeal and cream are added to the grated root of the plant, the amount of ingredients is adjusted so that the result is a homogeneous mass, then egg white is added to the mixture and applied to the face.
How to cook horseradish root
For horseradish-based products to provide maximum benefit, they should be prepared from roots that are about three years old. They should be dug in the fall, before the first frost. If the moment of harvesting occurs in the spring, then it is important to complete the procedure before planting flowers.
During the work, parts of the plant are carefully removed from the soil, trying not to damage the skin, then the remaining soil is shaken off, good quality material is selected, and dried in a warm and ventilated room.
Immediately before starting to prepare the product, the horseradish root is washed, the top layer (skin) is removed from it, and crushed.
Contraindications and possible harm of horseradish
Like any plant, horseradish root does not always bring only benefits; the product also has contraindications. It is undesirable to use it in the following cases:
- in the presence of a stomach ulcer;
- during pregnancy;
- at the time of lactation;
- for violations of the kidneys;
- in children under four years of age;
- with inflammation in the digestive system.
In addition, the plant has a number of side effects:
- In some cases, upon inhalation or contact, the product is an irritant to the mucous membranes.
- Since the culture is a cabbage plant, it can suppress the functions of the thyroid gland.
- If horseradish root is consumed in large quantities, it can cause diarrhea and bloody vomiting.
When applying horseradish masks to the face, in addition to the benefits, you can also harm the body:
- Cosmetics from the plant cause a burn and an erythematous rash.
- Masks have a strong effect; they should not be used more than once a week.
- It is not recommended to apply products to the areas around the lips and eyes.
- Such masks are contraindicated for people with sensitive skin.
A video about the benefits and harms of horseradish root is presented below:
Conclusion
The health benefits and harms of horseradish root lie in many factors. Before using the product, be sure to study all its contraindications and side effects. The plant is considered quite famous, it is widely used not only in cooking, but also in cosmetology and medicine, it grows in different conditions and on any soil, and does not require special attention and care.