Horseradish root sections
By Cat, April 11, 2017 (Photo, right, from Wikimedia Commons)
One of my fondest memories of my Dad is how excited he got when one of the local farmers brought him a bunch of horseradish (after he retired and gardened in earnest, he grew his own). Mom grated most of it, some to be used right away in a creamy accompaniment, the rest to be fermented. What she didn’t grate, Dad ate just as it was, or put a tiny bit in a fresh batch of his homemade stew (see Dad’s Beef Stew with Root Veggies). I love it on a roast beef sandwich, or French Dip sandwich.
But it isn’t just for satisfying a hungry tummy; it is also a basic, all-around tonic dating back to medieval Europe; is used as an antibiotic to purify your blood; kill bacteria and increase blood and lymph circulation throughout your body; and can be added to olive oil for use as a salad dressing or applied to wounds and infections. Keep a bit of horseradish tonic on hand for emergencies and general use (see below) or lacto-fermented horseradish condiment for your health-promoting daily accompaniment to meals.
See also: 1. Culturing, Fermentation & Tonics Menu; 2. Sides and Condiments Menu; 3. Horseradish: Prepared or Lacto-Fermented.
Health benefits of horseradish
German medical practitioners in Germany (1), use horseradish for its amazing anti-microbial ability. For example, it is used to treat:
- Urinary tract infections, such as those caused by gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, candida (yeast); and
- Many viral, bacterial, parasitic and fungal diseases.
When combined with other herbs, it strengthens/boosts the immune system; see the Tonic Recipes, below.
According to the Baseline of Health Foundation, horseradish may be helpful for relieving symptoms of, or even reversing several serious diseases and disorders, including (1):
- Cancer (especially bladder, breast, colon, and lung cancers) by suppressing enzymes known to activate carcinogens, and stimulating enzymes that deactivate carcinogens and decrease the ability of cancer cells to spread (5,6);
- Colic
- Coughs, colds and asthma
- Dandruff
- Edema (water retention)
- Gallbladder disorders
- Gout
- Headaches
- Inflammation associated with many chronic illnesses, including cancer and cardiovascular disease
- Intestinal parasites
- Respiratory problems
- Sciatic nerve pain
- Skin blemishes
Using horseradish
One thing to keep in mind when you’re handling horseradish, whether in food preparation or to make a tonic to treat health problems, is to wear plastic gloves for the same reason you do when handling some of the hottest peppers, such as jalapenos or habanero peppers. Also, keep it as far from your nose as possible! (1,3)
Tonic #1: Horseradish with lemon and honey
Airtight, Hermetic Storage Jars
This recipe from Mercola (1) is very easy to make and uses only three ingredients and an airtight jar (photo, right, from containerstore.com (4)). Use it to soothe a sore throat and loosen a sinus congestion.
- 6-inch horseradish root, peeled and grated
- one Organic lemon (for its juice)
- 1 Tbsp raw local, Organic honey
- airtight jar
- Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon and mix with the honey in your jar.
- Peel and grate the horseradish root into the juice/honey mix.
- Seal the jar and let it rest at room temperature for 24 hours.
- Use: 1 tablespoon, undiluted, taken 3 – 4 times a day.
Tonic #2: Master Tonic
The Master Tonic recipe (1,3) is a basic, all-around tonic dating back to medieval Europe. Uses include (2):
- antibiotic to purify your blood and kill bacteria;
- increase blood and lymph circulation throughout your body;
- add to olive oil for use as a salad dressing or applied to wounds and infections.
Each of the ingredients is a powerful healer on its own (2); see below the recipe for a summary.
Warning: Do not use on an empty stomach, and start with a teaspoon for the first few times. It is POTENT and can cause nausea or vomiting if you are not used to it.
- Recipe:
- ¼ cup coarsely chopped garlic
- ¼ cup chopped onion
- 2 fresh hot peppers, such as habaneros
- ¼ cup grated fresh ginger
- 2 Tbsp grated horseradish
- 2 Tbsp turmeric powder (or the equivalent in turmeric root)
- about 24 ounces (3 cups) organic apple cider vinegar
- Mason jar
- Food processor
- Preparation: In a food processor, process all ingredients except the vinegar; transfer mixture to a Mason jar, filling it about two-thirds full.
- Pour in enough apple cider vinegar to fill the jar to the top.
- Close tightly and shake the jar until it’s well combined. Do this several times a day while storing it in a cool, dry place for up to two weeks.
- After 14 days, strain the liquid through gauze or cheese cloth, squeezing the solid bits and setting them aside for use in recipes. The liquid part is then ready for medicinal use.
- Dosing: Caution: The flavor is very strong and hot! Extra Tip: Eat a slice of orange, lemon or lime after you take the tonic to ease the burning sensation and heat.
- Gargle and swallow.
- Do not dilute it in water as it will reduce the effect.
- It is safe for pregnant women and children (use small doses!) because the ingredients are all-natural and contain no toxins.
- Do not use on an empty stomach, and start with a teaspoon for the first few times. It is POTENT and can cause nausea or vomiting if you are not used to it.
- To strengthen your immune system, or to fight a cold or flu: Take 1 Tbsp every day to strengthen the immune system and fight cold. Increase the amount every day until you reach a dose of 1 small glass per day (the size of a liquor glass).
- Sore throat remedy:
- If you struggle against more serious disease or infection, take 1 Tbsp of the tonic 5-6 times a day.
Healing power of the ingredients
- Garlic is a strong antibiotic with a wide range of health benefits. Unlike chemical antibiotics that kill millions of friendly bacteria your body needs, its only goal is bacteria and microorganisms. Garlic also encourages and increases the level of healthy bacteria. It is a powerful antifungal agent and destroys any antigen, pathogen, and harmful disease-causing microorganisms.
- Onion is garlic’s closest relative and it has a similar but milder action. Together they create a strong fighting duo.
- Horseradish is a powerful herb, efficient for sinuses and lungs. It opens sinus channels and increases circulation, where common colds and flu usually begin, as most doctors would agree.
- Ginger has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and it is a strong circulation stimulant.
- Chili peppers are the most powerful circulation stimulators. They just send their antibiotic properties to fight the disease where it is mostly needed.
- Turmeric is the most perfect spice, cleanses infections and reduces inflammation. Blocks the development of cancer, and prevents dementia. It is especially useful for those who struggle with joint pain.
- Apple cider vinegar – there must be something very healthy in the use of apple cider vinegar as the father of medicine, Hippocrates, used vinegar around 400 BC because of its healthy properties. It is said that he used only two remedies: honey and apple cider vinegar. See below for more. See also: Apple Cider Vinegar’s Many Health Benefits (About)
Apple Cider Vinegar
The following is from Subfeed (2):
Apple cider vinegar is made from fresh and ripe apples which are later fermented and go through rigorous process to give the final product. Apple cider vinegar contains pectin, a fiber that reduces bad cholesterol and regulates blood pressure.
Health experts agree that people need more calcium as they get old. Vinegar helps the extraction of calcium from foods it is mixed with, which helps in the process of maintaining bone strength. Potassium deficiency causes a variety of problems including hair loss, brittle nails and teeth, sinusitis, and runny nose.
Apple cider vinegar is rich in potassium. Studies have shown that potassium deficiency results in slow growth. All of these problems can be avoided if you use apple cider vinegar regularly. Potassium also removes toxic wastes from the body.
Beta-carotene prevents damage caused by free radicals, maintains skin firm and young. Apple cider vinegar is good for those who want to lose weight.
It breaks up fat which supports a natural weight loss process. Apple cider vinegar contains malic acid, efficient in the fight against fungal and bacterial infections. This acid dissolves uric acid deposits that form around the joints, and thus alleviates joint pain. Dissolved uric acid is later eliminated from the body.
It is believed that apple cider vinegar is useful in treating conditions like constipation, headaches, arthritis, weak bones, indigestion, high cholesterol, diarrhea, eczema, sore eyes, chronic fatigue, mild food poisoning, hair loss, high blood pressure, obesity, and many other health problems.
References
- Mercola: articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2017/04/03/natural-antibiotic-horseradish.aspx
- Subfeed 2014 (subfeed.blogspot.com/2015/01/this-is-most-powerful-natural.html)
- earthiemama.com/master-tonic (earthiemama.com/master-tonic.html)
- Container Store (10051140gHermeticStorageJar_x.jpg photo): containerstore.com/s/kitchen/food-storage/jars/hermetic-glass-storage-jars/123d?productId=10011037
- J Agric Food Chem. 2005 March 9;53(5):1440-4
- Cancer Med. 2016 June;5(6):1194-203
