Horseradish

Common Name(s)

horseradish

Scientific Name(s)

Armoracia rusticana

General Information

Horseradish, a resilient perennial plant native to eastern Europe and western Asia, belongs to the same family of plants as mustard and cabbage. It is widely known for its pungent taste and is commonly used as a seasoning, spice, or flavouring. The active ingredients that give horseradish its medicinal properties come from the root.

How is this product usually used?

Horseradish can by prepared as a dry extract, tincture, fluid extract, decoction, and infusion. The recommended dosage for those 18 and older is 2 g to 20 g of dried or fresh root per day.

Your health care provider may have recommended using this product in other ways. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What is this product used for?

Horseradish has been traditionally used in herbal medicine to:

• aid digestion
• act as a diuretic (an agent that increases urine flow)

There is insufficient evidence to show that horseradish can be used effectively for the above uses.

Your health care provider may have recommended this product for other conditions. Contact a health care provider if you have questions.

What else should I be aware of?

Horseradish is generally well-tolerated when taken in the recommended amounts. Horseradish in large doses taken orally can cause stomach upset, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, and irritation to the urinary tract. See your doctor if you have heartburn or if you are taking antacids. Horseradish may also affect thyroid hormone levels in the blood. See your doctor if you have a thyroid condition or if you are taking thyroid replacement medications.

You should avoid horseradish if you are pregnant, have stomach or intestinal problems (e.g., ulcers, stomach inflammation), or have low thyroid levels (hypothyroidism). Do not use horseradish if you are allergic to it or to any plants from the Brassicaceae family. Horseradish in large amounts may be unsafe during breast-feeding. See your doctor prior to taking horseradish if you are breast-feeding.

Contact your doctor if any of the symptoms or conditions being treated by horseradish persist or worsen.

Before taking any new medications, including natural health products, speak to your physician, pharmacist or other health care provider. Tell your health care practitioner about any natural health products you may be taking.

Source(s)

1. Health Canada. Licensed Natural Health Products. Horseradish. http://webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/monoReq.do?id=119&lang=eng
2. Horseradish. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database.