Blessed Loves ... Spiral inwards with me to my Hearth, where the Ancestral fire burns bright. The plant spirit I wish to honor tonight is the humble yet extraordinary ...
Horseradish, Armoracia rusticana.
Horseradish gathers the fire of the sun, the fire of distant galaxies, the fire that dances in this candle flower, the fire that burns bright in our Hearts, and concentrates it deep into Her body, deep into the ground. Into the unseen, the stillness, the unconscious.
Her medicinal roots are pure white light crystallized in darkness. Within the human body, Her fire and light move the waters of mucus and blood, and stimulate the healing fires of our immune system.
Horseradish has an affinity for lungs and large intestine, the two organs expressing Autumn's energetics in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Autumn is the season of contraction, of the element Metal. Pachamama concentrates Her life essence into the core, into pith, into roots, releasing Her jeweled harvest, releasing what is no longer necessary. As days become cooler and nights longer, our energy spirals inwards. We turn inwards, to the center of our Being, feeling what is True, Beautiful, and Good. Similar to the concentration of pure metal ore deep within the center of the mountain, we concentrate and become more rarefied. Baggage and burdens rise to the surface to be purified and released. Our primary organs of absorption and release, the Lungs and the Large Intestine (LI), are our powerful allies in this cleansing.
The Large Intestine, a Yang Organ, lets go of waste and clears toxins from the body, retaining what is vital for us to live.
Let Go. Release. Let Be.
Through our Lungs, the Yin Organ, we center as our Breath. The cresting waves carry us through life, caressing the most intimate deep cavernous labyrinths of our tender lung cells, where a miraculous exchange of oxygen, Prana, nutrients, and intelligence kisses our blood, instantly fusing inside our Body while simultaneously releasing Carbon Dioxide.
Give and Take. Hold on and Let Go.
As we let go, often sadness arises. In TCM, our lungs store and express Grief. This can manifest as shallow breathing (from restricting and protecting our Heart), but also congestion, infection, sore throat, mucus, colds, flus, and coughing. Also our LI stores emotional memories, and constipation /diarrhea can result from unexpressed sadness and grief.
Invite Horseradish's fire spirit to assist in clearing emotional poisons from the body. Send that pure white root light deep into the darkness, into the unconscious. Clear the past to invite space for the new. Create a void that magnetizes Love, Joy, and Inspiration.
Through the Scientific lens
Her white roots are concentrated with glucosinolates, a natural protective compound that the Cruciferae / Brassicales clan produce. This glycoside, the volatile oil sinigrin, breaks down into allyl isothiocyanate (mustard oil) a powerful natural antibiotic due (in part) to its high sulphur content. Have you heard Broccoli being the Queen of Greens due to its cancer fighting properties? ... Horseradish contains 10 times more glucosinolates than broccoli. Wow!
She secretes and stores Vitamin C (79.31 mg of VC per 100 mg or 38% of recommended Daily intake) in Her roots. (VC is recommended to assist and nourish lungs weakened by stress and smoke). She also has essential minerals, and calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, glutamine, glucose, acid sulfate, and essential oils in Her root.
In the German Commission E Monographs, a guide for physicians and health professionals in Germany, horseradish and Nasturtium are combined in a preparation called Ancocin Anti-Infekt N. In several studies it has proven to be as effective as antibiotics in treating bronchitis, sinus infections, pneumonia, influenza, strep throat (streptococcus), Urinary tract infections, and Gastrointestinal illness caused by food contaminated by E-coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
Her Ancestral Journey
She is believed to be indigenous to temperate Eastern Ukraine and Southern Russia. Cultivated since antiquity (1500 BC in Ancient Egypt), Greek mythology revered Her, and the Delphic Oracle told Apollo that Horseradish was worth its weight in gold. The Ancient Greek physician, Dioscorides (40-90 AD), and a renowned pharmacologist, praised Horseradish. His 5-volume Greek encyclopedia De Materia Medica (a historical resource about the medicines used by the Greeks, Romans, and cultures of antiquity), was widely revered for 1,500 years, and formed the foundation of European pharmacopeia. (The Dioscorea genus (think yams) was named after him). By the 15th c. Horseradish was well established in Britain. In Germany Horseradish was called meer rettisch (meaning "more radish" or "stronger radish"). The English may have confused "meer" with mare, the female horse. Through time, 'horse' replaced the word 'mare'. (This Beloved root was also renowned for treating a sore (hoarse) throat). She is a highly praised food, widely celebrated in Central and Eastern Europe dishes. Conventional Japanese wasabi preparations are often green-dyed grated horseradish root.
Enjoy
For medicinal benefits, do not cook. Only Fresh and Raw. Grate small amount for immediate use.
Store fresh root in sand in a cool area, or grate fresh root and macerate in Apple Cider Vinegar, and refrigerate.
Awareness
Burns skin and eyes on contact. Do not place fresh horseradish directly on skin. Use a cloth between.
Bring Awareness (caution) in cases with excessive Heat, as She is very stimulating and warming.
Start with small doses.
German Commission E monograph (Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines) suggest 1/2 - 1 tsp of freshly grated Horseradish 3 times per day.
Larger doses can irritate the stomach lining, causing vomiting, and excessive sweating.
Medicine
Expectorant:
Sinus Congestion: For colds and sinus infections: At onset of symptoms, grate 1/4 tsp of fresh root. Hold it in your mouth until all the taste is gone. It will immediately cut the mucus loose from the sinuses, relieving sinus pressure and helping to clear infection.
Chest Congestion: Pneumonia: Oil Chest. Apply a cloth. Poultice grated Horseradish on top of cloth.
Avoid direct contact as it will produce blistering.
Antibiotic:
UTI: Mix 3-4 Tbsp fresh grated root with Apple Cider Vinegar and raw honey. Ingest periodically throughout the day.
Also effective as a Vermifuge.
Pain relief:
Arthritis and Neuralgia: Internally, enjoy a warm infusion of Horseradish, ginger, and honey.
Topically, poultice affected area following instructions above.
Tincture:
Pack diced fresh raw Horseradish into jar. Cover with 100 proof vodka or Grain Alcohol. Label.
May be used within 24 hours, however macerate longer for stronger medicine.
Start with 5-10 drops and increase as needed to clear nasal and sinus congestion.
Basic Horseradish Sauce:
Freshly grated raw horseradish Apple Cider Vinegar
Raw honey Sea Salt
Optional: Medicinal powdered herb (Astragalus etc.)
Use as a condiment, add to salad dressings, to yogurt / cream for sauce, to guacamole.
Add to chopped ginger, turmeric, onion, garlic, for Fire Cider.
Add to grated raw beets for a salsa / dip.
Grow / Harvest
Plant a 2 - 6 " section of the root with at least one bud and a circumference of 1/4" to 1".
Plant the root the same direction it grows, i.e. mark the top with a straight cut and the bottom with an angle cut.
Or divide the crown for distribution. Harvest in late autumn after the crown freezes.
Resources:
Matthew Wood
Susan Weed
Dr. Christopher
www.wikipedia.org
www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/herbal-remedies/raw-horseradish-natural-antibiotic-ze0z1403zcov
www.herballegacy.com/horseradish
www.herbs-info.com/horseradish
Herb Society of America's 2011 Herb of the Year
www.herbsociety.org
International Herb Association
http://www.iherb.org/horseradish.htm
Chinesenutrition.org
fiveelementhealing.net/autumn-the-season-of-harvest-the-element-of-metal/
chinesemedicineliving.com/nutrition/seasons/fall/
elementsofhealing.net/chinese-medicine/autumn-and-the-metal-element
Horseradish information council
http://www.horseradish.org/homepage.html
Medical Disclaimer
It is not my intent to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment.
Horseradish, Armoracia rusticana.
Horseradish gathers the fire of the sun, the fire of distant galaxies, the fire that dances in this candle flower, the fire that burns bright in our Hearts, and concentrates it deep into Her body, deep into the ground. Into the unseen, the stillness, the unconscious.
Her medicinal roots are pure white light crystallized in darkness. Within the human body, Her fire and light move the waters of mucus and blood, and stimulate the healing fires of our immune system.
Horseradish has an affinity for lungs and large intestine, the two organs expressing Autumn's energetics in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Autumn is the season of contraction, of the element Metal. Pachamama concentrates Her life essence into the core, into pith, into roots, releasing Her jeweled harvest, releasing what is no longer necessary. As days become cooler and nights longer, our energy spirals inwards. We turn inwards, to the center of our Being, feeling what is True, Beautiful, and Good. Similar to the concentration of pure metal ore deep within the center of the mountain, we concentrate and become more rarefied. Baggage and burdens rise to the surface to be purified and released. Our primary organs of absorption and release, the Lungs and the Large Intestine (LI), are our powerful allies in this cleansing.
The Large Intestine, a Yang Organ, lets go of waste and clears toxins from the body, retaining what is vital for us to live.
Let Go. Release. Let Be.
Through our Lungs, the Yin Organ, we center as our Breath. The cresting waves carry us through life, caressing the most intimate deep cavernous labyrinths of our tender lung cells, where a miraculous exchange of oxygen, Prana, nutrients, and intelligence kisses our blood, instantly fusing inside our Body while simultaneously releasing Carbon Dioxide.
Give and Take. Hold on and Let Go.
As we let go, often sadness arises. In TCM, our lungs store and express Grief. This can manifest as shallow breathing (from restricting and protecting our Heart), but also congestion, infection, sore throat, mucus, colds, flus, and coughing. Also our LI stores emotional memories, and constipation /diarrhea can result from unexpressed sadness and grief.
Invite Horseradish's fire spirit to assist in clearing emotional poisons from the body. Send that pure white root light deep into the darkness, into the unconscious. Clear the past to invite space for the new. Create a void that magnetizes Love, Joy, and Inspiration.
Through the Scientific lens
Her white roots are concentrated with glucosinolates, a natural protective compound that the Cruciferae / Brassicales clan produce. This glycoside, the volatile oil sinigrin, breaks down into allyl isothiocyanate (mustard oil) a powerful natural antibiotic due (in part) to its high sulphur content. Have you heard Broccoli being the Queen of Greens due to its cancer fighting properties? ... Horseradish contains 10 times more glucosinolates than broccoli. Wow!
She secretes and stores Vitamin C (79.31 mg of VC per 100 mg or 38% of recommended Daily intake) in Her roots. (VC is recommended to assist and nourish lungs weakened by stress and smoke). She also has essential minerals, and calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, glutamine, glucose, acid sulfate, and essential oils in Her root.
In the German Commission E Monographs, a guide for physicians and health professionals in Germany, horseradish and Nasturtium are combined in a preparation called Ancocin Anti-Infekt N. In several studies it has proven to be as effective as antibiotics in treating bronchitis, sinus infections, pneumonia, influenza, strep throat (streptococcus), Urinary tract infections, and Gastrointestinal illness caused by food contaminated by E-coli and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria.
Her Ancestral Journey
She is believed to be indigenous to temperate Eastern Ukraine and Southern Russia. Cultivated since antiquity (1500 BC in Ancient Egypt), Greek mythology revered Her, and the Delphic Oracle told Apollo that Horseradish was worth its weight in gold. The Ancient Greek physician, Dioscorides (40-90 AD), and a renowned pharmacologist, praised Horseradish. His 5-volume Greek encyclopedia De Materia Medica (a historical resource about the medicines used by the Greeks, Romans, and cultures of antiquity), was widely revered for 1,500 years, and formed the foundation of European pharmacopeia. (The Dioscorea genus (think yams) was named after him). By the 15th c. Horseradish was well established in Britain. In Germany Horseradish was called meer rettisch (meaning "more radish" or "stronger radish"). The English may have confused "meer" with mare, the female horse. Through time, 'horse' replaced the word 'mare'. (This Beloved root was also renowned for treating a sore (hoarse) throat). She is a highly praised food, widely celebrated in Central and Eastern Europe dishes. Conventional Japanese wasabi preparations are often green-dyed grated horseradish root.
Enjoy
For medicinal benefits, do not cook. Only Fresh and Raw. Grate small amount for immediate use.
Store fresh root in sand in a cool area, or grate fresh root and macerate in Apple Cider Vinegar, and refrigerate.
Awareness
Burns skin and eyes on contact. Do not place fresh horseradish directly on skin. Use a cloth between.
Bring Awareness (caution) in cases with excessive Heat, as She is very stimulating and warming.
Start with small doses.
German Commission E monograph (Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines) suggest 1/2 - 1 tsp of freshly grated Horseradish 3 times per day.
Larger doses can irritate the stomach lining, causing vomiting, and excessive sweating.
Medicine
Expectorant:
Sinus Congestion: For colds and sinus infections: At onset of symptoms, grate 1/4 tsp of fresh root. Hold it in your mouth until all the taste is gone. It will immediately cut the mucus loose from the sinuses, relieving sinus pressure and helping to clear infection.
Chest Congestion: Pneumonia: Oil Chest. Apply a cloth. Poultice grated Horseradish on top of cloth.
Avoid direct contact as it will produce blistering.
Antibiotic:
UTI: Mix 3-4 Tbsp fresh grated root with Apple Cider Vinegar and raw honey. Ingest periodically throughout the day.
Also effective as a Vermifuge.
Pain relief:
Arthritis and Neuralgia: Internally, enjoy a warm infusion of Horseradish, ginger, and honey.
Topically, poultice affected area following instructions above.
Tincture:
Pack diced fresh raw Horseradish into jar. Cover with 100 proof vodka or Grain Alcohol. Label.
May be used within 24 hours, however macerate longer for stronger medicine.
Start with 5-10 drops and increase as needed to clear nasal and sinus congestion.
Basic Horseradish Sauce:
Freshly grated raw horseradish Apple Cider Vinegar
Raw honey Sea Salt
Optional: Medicinal powdered herb (Astragalus etc.)
Use as a condiment, add to salad dressings, to yogurt / cream for sauce, to guacamole.
Add to chopped ginger, turmeric, onion, garlic, for Fire Cider.
Add to grated raw beets for a salsa / dip.
Grow / Harvest
Plant a 2 - 6 " section of the root with at least one bud and a circumference of 1/4" to 1".
Plant the root the same direction it grows, i.e. mark the top with a straight cut and the bottom with an angle cut.
Or divide the crown for distribution. Harvest in late autumn after the crown freezes.
Resources:
Matthew Wood
Susan Weed
Dr. Christopher
www.wikipedia.org
www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/herbal-remedies/raw-horseradish-natural-antibiotic-ze0z1403zcov
www.herballegacy.com/horseradish
www.herbs-info.com/horseradish
Herb Society of America's 2011 Herb of the Year
www.herbsociety.org
International Herb Association
http://www.iherb.org/horseradish.htm
Chinesenutrition.org
fiveelementhealing.net/autumn-the-season-of-harvest-the-element-of-metal/
chinesemedicineliving.com/nutrition/seasons/fall/
elementsofhealing.net/chinese-medicine/autumn-and-the-metal-element
Horseradish information council
http://www.horseradish.org/homepage.html
Medical Disclaimer
It is not my intent to advise or recommend herbs for medicinal or health use. This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as a recommendation or an endorsement of any particular medical or health treatment.
