PDR for Herbal Medicines

408/HORSEMINT PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

administered externally. Even then, because it raises blisters

in its pure form, it should be diluted with olive oil before

application.)

DOSAGE

Mode, of Administration: Ground drug used as an infusion.

LITERATURE

Kern W, List PH, Horhammer L (Hrsg.), Hagers Handbuch der

Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 4. Aufl., Bde. 1-8, Springer Verlag

Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1969.

Horseradish

Armor acta rusticana

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the fresh

or dried horseradish root.

Flower and Fruit: The inflorescence is made up of numer-

ous, richly flowered racemes (cymes). The fragrant flowers

are on 5 to 7 mm long, upright pedicles. The sepals are 2.5 to

3 mm long, broadly ovate, with a membranous white margin.

The white petals are 5 to 7 mm long and broadly obovate.

The inner stamens are 2.5 mm long; the outer ones 1.5 mm

long. The stigma is broad, round and gently 2-lobed. The

small pods are on 20 mm long, upright spreading stems.

They are globose to obovate and 4 to 6 mm long. The seeds

are smooth.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is 40 to 120 cm high. It is

a sturdy and glabrous perennial. The root is quite thick and

woody. In cultivated varieties, it is thick and fleshy with

numerous root heads, which are light yellowish-white and

have horizontal underground runners. The sometimes soli-

tary stems are upright, branched above, grooved and hollow.

The leaves are long-petioled, oblong-ovate, cordate at the

base, 30 to 100 cm long and unevenly crenate. The lower

cauline leaves have shorter petioles and are lobed or comb-

shaped pinnate with linear-oblong, entire-margined or serrate

sections. The upper cauline leaves with narrowed bases are

sessile, oblong or lanceolate, unevenly crenate to serrate and

obtuse. The uppermost leaves are linear or almost entire-

margined.

Characteristics: The rootstock has an odor that is strong and

irritating, and a sharp, burning taste.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to the Volga-Don region but

has spread to almost all of Europe and other parts of the

world.

Production: Horseradish consists of the fresh or dried,
peeled or unpeeled roots of Armoracia rusticana.

Other Names: Mountain Radish, Red Cole, Great Raifort

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Glucosinolates sinigrin and gluconasturtin: The freshly

harvested root contains the glucosinolates sinigrin (0.3%)

and gluconasturtin, which release enzymatically triggered

(myrosinase) allyl mustard oil (up to 90%) and a little 2-

phenyl mustard when the root is cut up. The dehydrated root

contains both of these mustard oils.

EFFECTS

Horseradish works antimicrobially against gram-positive and

gram-negative pathogens, and is hyperemic on skin and

mucous membranes and carcinostatic (due to the mustard

oils). Horseradish demonstrated an antispasmodic effect in

animal experiments.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Cough/Bronchitis


• Infections of the urinary tract

Unproven Uses: Internally, Horseradish is used to treat

inflammation of the respiratory tract and as supportive

therapy for infections of the urinary tract. Externally, the

drug is used for inflammation of the respiratory tract and for

hyperemic treatment for minor muscle aches. In folk

medicine, horseradish is administered for influenza, respira-

tory ailments, digestion, gout, rheumatism, and liver and

gallbladder disorders.

Homeopathic Uses: Uses in homeopathy include eye inflam-

mations, upper respiratory tract inflammations and upper

abdominal colic.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Because of the mucous membrane-irritating effect of the

mustard oils, the intake of the drug should not be carried out

in the presence of stomach or intestinal ulcers or in patients

with a history of kidney disease.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

General: No health hazards or side effects are known in

conjunction with the proper administration of designated

therapeutic dosages.

Pediatric Use: Preparations of horseradish should not be

administered to children under 4 years of age.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Fresh or dried root that has been cut

or ground, freshly pressed juice or other galenic preparations

for internal or external applications.