Other names: Donkey radish, Black radish, Wild radish) It is from the Brassicaceae family. Its homeland is the Mediterranean region. However, today it is widely grown in all temperate climate zones and in our country. It is a durable perennial herbaceous plant that can grow to 30-60 cm. It has ellipse-shaped, pointed, large, coarse-textured and bright green leaves. These leaves, which are connected to the root with round-sectioned and longitudinally raised stems, emit a burning smell when crushed.
The flowers that bloom in the leaf axils in June-July are in white clusters. The tuber of the plant is long, thick, yellow-brown on the outside, white and fleshy on the inside. This root also has a burning smell. Horseradish, which likes sunny and open areas, deeply dug, light and moist soils, reproduces by seeds.
The fresh root of the plant is rich in minerals such as calcium, sodium, magnesium and vitamin C. It also contains mustard oil, glycoside and sinigrin substances. These roots are grated finely and added to some meat and fish dishes to give a mustardy spicy smell. The roots of horseradish can be crushed and stored fresh in sand for future use. (This type of root storage and use in the future is very common in Europe.)
The medicinal effects of horseradish and the methods of using them can be summarized as follows:
1. It stimulates the digestive system, increases appetite, removes gas from the stomach and intestines, and relieves pain.
2. It plays a protective role on the intestinal walls due to the antibiotic properties it contains.
3. It has a mild laxative effect.
4. It has a healing effect on flu and high fever.
5. It is an expectorant.
6. It cures urinary tract infections.
In order to provide its medicinal effect for all these conditions, the plant's fistula is dug up in the fall. It is cleaned and grated thoroughly and added to the daily diet. Or, 1 teaspoon of the plant's fistula, which is cut into small pieces, is poured over with 1 glass of boiling water and infused for 5 minutes. One glass of the infusion prepared in this way is drunk three times a day. In case of flu and high fever, the amount of infusion can be increased.
Horseradish is also good for rheumatism, waist and back pain. For this, a poultice is prepared with the leaves and flowering parts of the plant and this poultice is applied externally to the affected areas. Pregnant women and people with kidney problems should not eat excessive amounts of horseradish.
