Armoracia lapathifolia
Common Name: Horseradish
Warning: Toxic substances form if prepared in too hot water (45 C a safe maximum).
Theme 4: Used for the stomach.
Constituents: Mustard oil glycosides - strongly antibiotic, especially on the lungs and urinary tract, stimulant and warming, antithyroid, digestive regulator and cleanser;
Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) - in large amounts, a healing agent in damaged tissues and a stimulant of defence mechanisms;
Asparagin - diuretic;
Vitamin B;
Resin.
Aka: scurvy root.
Note: similar volatile oil in Nasturtium, Radish, and Cress.
Comment: mustard oils attach to erythrocytes, and therapeutic doses remove uric acid.
Purposes: (See also Disease: Signs & Symptoms)
| gout | Very good as a poultice to provide heating and flushing. |
| neuralgia | Sciatica, facial neuralgia. |
| paralysis | Especially of the tongue. |
| rheumatism | Good for warming external use. |
Used In: (See Formulas)
Properties:
Antibiotic
Anti-Thyroid
Diaphoretic
Diuretic
Healing Agent
Hypoglycaemic
Irritant
Stimulant
Stomachic
Contraindication(s): Low thyroid, gastritis, high blood pressure.
Constituents:
| Glycoside | s. Isothiocyanate-producing: sinigrin. Myrosin, an enzyme stored in separate cells, on contact with sinigrin results in the volatile oil of mustard, allyl isothiocyanate, which is responsible for the pungent taste and odor of the root. |
| Volatile oil | Allyl isothiocyanate: results from a mixing of sinigrin and cell enzymes. Responsible for the extremely pungent taste and odour of the root. Similar in plant function to garlic. It is destroyed on heating. |
Materia Medica: (See Materia Medica.)
| Central Stimulants | CARDIO_VASCULAR SYSTEM |
| Diuretics | CARDIO_VASCULAR SYSTEM |
| Rubefacients | CARDIO_VASCULAR SYSTEM |