HIBEN, WILD RADISH, HORSEPARD RADISH
ARMORACIA RUSTICANA (LAM.) P. GARTN
B. MEYER ET SCHREB. (COCHLEARIA ARMORACIA L.)
Where it is found: It is placed as a medicinal plant and spice. It is rarely found in the wild. It is seen in courtyards and gardens.
Structure: It is a perennial herbaceous plant with branched, developed veins, fleshy, white rhizome, up to 40-100 cm high. The leaves are large, broad, dark green, the lower leaves are egg-shaped, mostly pinnately segmented, with a long petiole up to 30 cm, the upper ones are short-stalked or attached to the stem, elliptic to lanceolate with large teeth, or entire. The flowers are small, white, the calyx has 4 leaves, the corolla has 4 leaves and 6 stamens. The fruit is a rhombic bean spike.
Parts Used: Rhizome is removed from the soil in October-November. It is stored by burying it in damp sand to keep it fresh. The roots have a mustard smell and a burning taste. If desired, it can be dried in the shade or in ovens heated to 35 degrees. It is packaged in bags. It is stored in dry and airy buildings.
Chemical Composition: It contains essential oil such as mustard oil, sinigrin glycoside, which acts as a myrosin ferment to mustard oil, potassium sulphate acid and glucose asparagine, glutamine, starch, sugar, gum, resin, vitamin C.
Diseases Used For: Diuretic, carminative and facilitates the digestion of fatty substances.
Rhizomes are recommended in folk medicine for abdominal fluid retention, bladder and kidney stones, rheumatism, podagra (nigricans), whooping cough, gas, shortness of breath, appetite stimulant, stimulant for sexual potency. Externally, it is used as a poultice for rheumatism, pneumonia and nigricans. The leaves are soaked and placed on the head for headaches.
Usage: In our folk medicine, Hiren is used against diabetes and high blood pressure by mixing it with 1/10 yogurt. One tablespoon is taken 4 times a day before meals.
Boil 1 tablespoon of grated root with 400 grams of boiling water and wait for 1 hour. Take a coffee cup before meals 4 times a day.
