Horseradish is generally safe. If eaten as a condiment in large quantities, this spicy root may irritate your mouth, nose, or stomach. Taking small quantities when using this condiment or supplement is best. Should you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
Special Precautions and Warnings
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Thyroid hormone interacts with HORSERADISH
Horseradish might decrease thyroid activity. Taking horseradish along with thyroid hormone might decrease the effects of thyroid hormone.
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
Dosing Horseradish root is commonly consumed with foods as a condiment. As medicine, there isn’t enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of horseradish might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a
Goos, K. H., Albrecht, U., and Schneider, B. [Efficacy and safety profile of a herbal drug containing nasturtium herb and horseradish root in acute sinusitis, acute bronchitis and acute urinary tract infection in comparison with other treatments in the daily practice/results of a prospective cohort study]. Arzneimittelforschung 2006;56(3):249-257. View abstract.
HALBEISEN, T. [Antibiotic substance obtained from Cochlearia armoracia L.]. Arzneimittelforschung 1957;7(5):321-324. View abstract.
KIENHOLZ, M. [Studies of antibacterial substances from horseradish (Cochlearia armoracia), nasturtium (Tropaeolum maius) and garden peppergrass (Lepidium sativum).]. Arch Hyg Bakteriol. 1957;141(3):182-197. View abstract.
Luczaj, L. and Szymanski, W. M. Wild vascular plants gathered for consumption in the Polish countryside: a review. J.Ethnobiol.Ethnomed. 2007;3:17. View abstract.
Panter, K. E. and James, L. F. Natural plant toxicants in milk: a review. J Anim Sci 1990;68(3):892-904. View abstract.
SCHINDLER, E., ZIPP, H., and MARTH, I. [Comparative clinical studies on non-specific urinary tract infections with an enzyme-glycoside mixture obtained from horseradish roots (Cochlearia armoracia L.)]. Arzneimittelforschung 1960;10:919-921. View abstract.
WECHSELBERG, K. [In vitro studies on the effect of oily plant extracts from Tropaeolum maius, Cochlearia armoracia and Allium sativum on growth of tubercle bacteria.]. Z Hyg Infektionskr 1958;145(4):380-394. View abstract.
Albrecht U, Goos KH, Schneider B. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a herbal medicinal product containing 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 2007;23(10):2415-22. View abstract.
Conaway, C. C., Yang, Y. M., and Chung, F. L. Isothiocyanates as cancer chemopreventive agents: their biological activities and metabolism in rodents and humans. Curr Drug Metab 2002;3(3):233-255. View abstract.
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 — Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professionals Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. 1st ed. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp., 1999.
Fintelmann V, Albrecht U, Schmitz G, Schnitker J. 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 randomised, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III trial. Curr Med Res Opin 2012;28(11):1799-807. View abstract.
Lehmann CU, Puckett AL, Betz BO. 56-year-old man – increased heart rate – weakness – intense sweating – horseradish consumption – Dx?. J Fam Pract 2022;71(7):317-321. View abstract.
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Health Benefits of Horseradish
FAQ
Is horseradish poisonous to humans?
Is horseradish bad for your gut?
Is horseradish bad for liver?
Can you eat the roots of horseradish?
Is horseradish poisonous?
Horseradish can be toxic if eaten in high quantities. The toxic part of the plant can be found in the root. The glucosinolates found in the root cause this risk of toxicity. When eaten in high quantities, it can cause profuse sweating, stomach upset, weakness, and disorientation.
Are radish leaves safe to eat?
Radish leaves are safe to eat and actually quite nutritious. Radish leaves are a good source of vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, potassium, and magnesium. They can be enjoyed cooked or raw in salads. When cooking radish leaves, it’s best to lightly steam them to preserve their nutrients. Be sure to wash the leaves thoroughly before eating to remove any dirt or debris. Radish leaves can be a healthy addition to your diet, so enjoy them often!
Can you eat horseradish root?
When taken by mouth: Horseradish root is commonly consumed with foods. It is possibly safe when used as medicine for up to 12 weeks. But it contains mustard oil, which can irritate the lining of the mouth and stomach. When consumed in large amounts, side effects might include stomach upset, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, and fainting.
Does horseradish plant cause cancer?
The activity of a compound found in the horseradish plant called isothiocyanate may promote antimicrobial (germ-killing) activity. These studies are in their early stages and human data is needed to support these claims. There have been no clinical studies of the use of the horseradish plant for cancer.