Witnessed by: Western
Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana), of the Brassicaceae family. Coarse perennial with large dock-like leaves and a thick white taproot; native range: south-eastern Europe and western Asia, now naturalised widely. Globally recognized as red cole, mountain radish, great raifort in English. The part used is root (fresh). White fleshy root, mild until grated, then fiercely pungent and acrid, its vapour stinging the eyes and nose.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
HORSERADISH
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- horseradish
- Scientific name
- Armoracia rusticana P.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb.
- Family
- Brassicaceae
Form
- Part used
- root (fresh)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- pungent · acrid
Temperature
- Western
- hot
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- lungs · digestion · circulation · kidneys
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- stimulant, rubefacient, diaphoretic, expectorant, diuretic, digestive, antimicrobial
Cautions
Contraindications: pregnancy; underactive thyroid; stomach ulcers, gastritis and kidney inflammation
Toxicity: a strong irritant that can blister the skin and inflame the gut in excess
Interactions
- Western
- thyroid medication: goitrogenic mustard oils may interfere with thyroid function
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