- Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) is a hardy perennial plant of the Brassicaceae family, which includes mustard and cabbage. Large doses by mouth can cause gastrointestinal upset, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, and irritation of mucous membranes and the urinary tract. Horseradish may also provoke allergic reactions.
- Although horseradish may be irritating, it is frequently used as a condiment or spice, especially for beef, sausages, and fish. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved horseradish (Armoracia lapathifolia Gilib.) as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) as a seasoning, spice, and flavoring (the FDA currently accepts Armoracia lapathifolia as the binomial name for horseradish, although Armoracia rusticana is more commonly used and is the preferred name by the U.S. Department of Agriculture).
- Traditionally, horseradish has been used for pain, rheumatism, and cancer. It has also been studied for bronchitis, sinusitis, and urinary tract infections, but additional study is needed before making firm recommendations.
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Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana, Cochlearia armoracia)
Contents
Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to . Selected references are listed below.
- Agabeili RA, Kasimova TE, Alekperov UK. [Antimutagenic activity of plant extracts from Armoracia rusticana, Ficus carica and Zea mays and peroxidase in eukaryotic cells]. Tsitol.Genet. 2004;38(2):40-45.
View Abstract - Agabeili RA, Kasimova TE. [Antimutagenic activity of Armoracia rusticana, Zea mays and Ficus carica plant extracts and their mixture]. Tsitol.Genet. 2005;39(3):75-79.
View Abstract - Conaway CC, Yang YM, Chung FL. Isothiocyanates as cancer chemopreventive agents: their biological activities and metabolism in rodents and humans. Curr Drug Metab 2002;3(3):233-255.
View Abstract - Goos KH, Albrecht U, Schneider B. [Efficacy and safety profile of a herbal drug containing nasturtium herb and horseradish root in acute sinusitis, acute bronchitis and acute urinary tract infection in comparison with other treatments in the daily practice/results of a prospective cohort study]. Arzneimittelforschung 2006;56(3):249-257.
View Abstract - Govere EM, Tonegawa M, Bruns MA, et al. Using minced horseradish roots and peroxides for the deodorization of swine manure: a pilot scale study. Bioresour.Technol 2007;98(6):1191-1198.
View Abstract - Kawaoka A, Matsunaga E, Endo S, et al. Ectopic expression of a horseradish peroxidase enhances growth rate and increases oxidative stress resistance in hybrid aspen. Plant Physiol 2003;132(3):1177-1185.
View Abstract - Li X, Kushad MM. Purification and characterization of myrosinase from horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) roots. Plant Physiol Biochem 2005;43(6):503-511.
View Abstract - Luczaj L, Szymanski WM. Wild vascular plants gathered for consumption in the Polish countryside: a review. J Ethnobiol.Ethnomedicine. 2007;3:17.
View Abstract - Park IK, Choi KS, Kim DH, et al. Fumigant activity of plant essential oils and components from horseradish (Armoracia rusticana), anise (Pimpinella anisum) and garlic (Allium sativum) oils against Lycoriella ingenua (Diptera: Sciaridae). Pest.Manag.Sci 2006;62(8):723-728.
View Abstract - Patterson AV, Saunders MP, Greco O. Prodrugs in genetic chemoradiotherapy. Curr Pharm Des 2003;9(26):2131-2154.
View Abstract - Sakuyama H, Endo Y, Fujimoto K, et al. Oxidative degradation of alkylphenols by horseradish peroxidase. J Biosci.Bioeng. 2003;96(3):227-231.
View Abstract - Tonegawa M, Dec J, Bollag JM. Use of additives to enhance the removal of phenols from water treated with horseradish and hydrogen peroxide. J Environ.Qual. 2003;32(4):1222-1227.
View Abstract - Veitch NC. Horseradish peroxidase: a modern view of a classic enzyme. Phytochemistry 2004;65(3):249-259.
View Abstract - Weil MJ, Zhang Y, Nair MG. Colon cancer proliferating desulfosinigrin in wasabi (Wasabia japonica). Nutr Cancer 2004;48(2):207-213.
View Abstract - Weil MJ, Zhang Y, Nair MG. Tumor cell proliferation and cyclooxygenase inhibitory constituents in horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) and Wasabi (Wasabia japonica). J Agric Food Chem 3-9-2005;53(5):1440-1444.
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