Armoraciae rusticanae radix

Fresh or dried horseradish roots harvested in spring or fall, see also horseradish root dressing.

No pharmacopoeial quality description.

HMPC: not processed

ESCOP: not processed

But: In combination with nasturtium , indications proven by clinical studies (marketing authorization): Acute inflammatory diseases of the bronchi, sinuses and urinary tract.
Commission E-monograph: internal and external: catarrh of the airways, internal: infections of the urinary tract; external: hyperaemic treatment for mild muscle pain.

Experimental medicine: digitalis refractory cases, bradycardic form of heart failure, edema

The glucosinolates gluconatusturtiin and sinigrin. Also asparagine, glutamine and arginine. When the root components are crushed, they are hydrolyzed by the enzyme myrosinase. This process results in the formation of volatile mustard oil (phenylethyl mustard oil and allyl mustard oil). High vitamin C content.

Antimicrobial, spasmolytic, hyperemizing.

Internal and external applications.

Indications: Catharrh of the airways, adjuvant against infections of the urinary tract; external applications for muscle pain

20g/day of fresh root, mostly available as medicinal specialities. External preparations with max. 2% mustard oil.

Irritating to skin and mucous membranes, may irritate gastric mucous membranes if used internally.

Children <4 years, gastrointestinal ulcers, nephritides

A combination preparation with nasturtium - Angocin Anti-Infekt N® (3x4 tablets/day) - is available commercially. For recurrence prophylaxis (3x2 tablets/day)

The preparation Angocin is a rational drug, but since 2004 it has only been reimbursable for children under 12 years of age. Drug approval by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices.

Due to the narrow therapeutic range, use only in standardized extracts!

1. Albrecht U et al. (2007) A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a herbal medicinal product containi g Tropaeoli majoris herba (Nasturtium) and Armoraciae rusticanae radix (Horseradish) for the prophylactic treatment of patients with chronically recurrent lower urinary tract infections. Curr Med Res Opin 23:2415-2422.
2. Conrad A et al.(2013) Broad spectrum antibacterial activity of a mixture of isothiocyanates from nasturtium (Tropaeoli majoris herba) and horseradish (Armoraciae rusticanae radix). Drug Res (Stuttg)63:65-68.
3. Conrad A et al. (2006) 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.
4. Fintelmann V et al.(2012) Efficacy and safety of a combination herbal medicinal product containing Tropaeoli majoris herba and Armoraciae rusticanae radix for the prophylactic treatment of patients with respiratory tract diseases: a randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial. Curr Med Res Opin 28:1799-1807.
5. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/meerrettich.php
6. https://pflanzen.fnr.de/industriepflanzen/arzneipflanzen/pflanzen-datenbank
7. Goos KH et al. (2013) Efficacy and tolerability of a herbal medicinal product containing nasturtium and horseradish in acute sinusitis, acute bronchitis and acute cystitis in comparison with other therapies under the conditions of daily practice. Drug discovery. 56: 249-257
8. Lau I et al. (2018) Phytotherapie bei katheterassoziierten Urwegsinfekten: Beobachtungsstudie zur Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit einer fixen Kombination mit Kapuzinerkressenkraut und Meerrettichwurzel [Phytotherapy in catheter-associated urinary tract infection: Observational study recording the efficacy and safety of a fixed herbal combination containing Tropaeoli majoris herba and Armoraciae rusticanae radix]. Urologist A. 57:1472-1480
9. Conrad A et al. (2006) In-vitro-Untersuchungen zur antibakteriellen wirksamkeit einer Kombination aus Kapuzinerkressenkraut (tropaeoli majoris herba) und meer- rettichwurzel (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

10. Montag A (2023) Plants and skin. Springer-Verlag GmbH. S. 697-700