Horseradish

Horseradish is a perennial, hardy, herbaceous plant belonging to the cruciferous family (Brassicaceae). Horseradish is cultivated in Central Europe. The plant reaches growth heights of 50-120 cm. The flowering period of horseradish is from mid-May to July. Its roots, which reach a length of 30-40 cm, are used as a vegetable and spice, as well as medicinally.

Horseradish is the parent plant of Armoraciae rusticanae radix, the medicinally used horseradish root positively monographed by the Commission E. The drug is used internally and externally (see horseradish application).

Medicinal plant of the year 2021

Horseradish is used in capsule form, in combination with nasturtium for urinary tract and respiratory tract infections, also for prophylaxis. Preparation: Angocin® Antiinfekt

Active ingredient: mustard oils here benzyl mustard oil, allyl mustard oil, which acts against bacteria in the gram-positive range, and 2phenylethylene mustard oil, which acts mainly against bacteria in the gram-negative range.

The preparation Angocin is one of the rational drugs, but since 2004 it has only been reimbursable for children under 12 years of age. Drug approval by the Bunsesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinbrodukte.

1. Goos KH et al. (2013) Efficacy and tolerability of an herbal medicine containing capuchin herb and horseradish for acute sinusitis, acute bronchitis, and acute cystitis compared with other therapies under conditions of daily practice. Drug Research. 56: 249-257
2. Lau I et al. (2018) Phytotherapy in catheter-associated urinary tract infection: Observational study recording the efficacy and safety of a fixed combination containing Tropaeoli majoris herba and Armoraciae rusticanae radix]. Urologist A. 57:1472-1480
3. Conrad A et al. (2006) In vitro studies on the antibacterial activity of a combination of the haulm of nasturtium (Tropaeoli majoris herba) and of the roots of horseradish (Armoraciae rusticanae radix) [In vitro study to evaluate the antibacterial activity of a combination of the haulm of nasturtium (Tropaeoli majoris herba) and of the roots of horseradish (Armoraciae rusticanae radix)]. Drug Research 56:842-849