Armoracia Rus. Horseradish by Wise Woman Herbals

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Colic. Although there has been interest in using oral horseradish for colic, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of horseradish for this condition.
• Gout. Although there has been interest in using oral horseradish for gout, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of horseradish for this condition.
• Intestinal parasite infection. Although there has been interest in using oral horseradish for intestinal parasite infection, there is insufficient reliable information about the clinical effects of horseradish for this condition.
• Respiratory tract infections. Oral horseradish root has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: Preliminary clinical research in patients with a history of recurrent respiratory tract infections (RTIs) shows that taking a specific combination product (Angocin Anti-Infekt N, Repha GmbH) containing a total of 320-400 mg horseradish root and 800-1000 mg nasturtium daily for 12 weeks modestly decreases the rate of new RTIs when compared with placebo. However, there were no differences between groups in time to infection, intensity or duration of infection, or rates of specific infections, including acute rhinopharyngitis, sinusitis, laryngitis, or tracheitis (96309).
• Urinary tract infections (UTIs). Oral horseradish root has only been evaluated in combination with other ingredients; its effect when used alone is unclear. Details: A small clinical study in patients with recurrent UTIs shows that taking a specific product (Angocin Anti-Infekt N, Repha GmbH) containing a total of 320 mg horseradish root and 800 mg nasturtium daily for 90 days modestly reduces the recurrence of UTIs when compared with placebo at 3 months after treatment completion, but not at the time of treatment completion (96310). However, this analysis excluded patients that were not cured from their initial active UTI. Additionally, the small size, short duration, and high dropout rate in this study limits the validity of these findings. More evidence is needed to rate horseradish for these uses.

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LIKELY SAFE ...when the root is used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. Horseradish has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US (4912).

POSSIBLY SAFE ...when used orally and appropriately in medicinal amounts (2,4,6,12,18). Horseradish has been used with apparent safety at a dose of 480 mg daily for 12 weeks (96309). ...when topical preparations containing no more than 2% mustard oil, a constituent of horseradish, are used (2).

CHILDREN: LIKELY UNSAFE
when used orally in children less than 4 years of age because it can cause gastrointestinal problems (2,12,19). PREGNANCY AND:

CHILDREN: LIKELY SAFE
when the root is used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. Horseradish has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US (4912).

CHILDREN: LIKELY UNSAFE
when the tincture is used regularly and in large amounts, as it is considered an abortifacient (19).

LACTATION: LIKELY SAFE
when the root is used orally in amounts commonly found in foods. Horseradish has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status in the US (4912).

LACTATION: LIKELY UNSAFE
when used orally in large amounts. The mustard oils produced by glucosinolates from horseradish are considered toxins that can be excreted through breast milk (33031).

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THYROID HORMONE Interaction Rating = Moderate Be cautious with this combination. Severity = Moderate •  Occurrence = Possible •  Level of Evidence = D Theoretically, horseradish might interfere with the effects of thyroid hormone.  Details Horseradish and other members of the cabbage and mustard family are associated with depressed thyroid function (4).

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General ...Orally, horseradish is generally well tolerated when consumed in amounts commonly used with foods. But consuming large amounts of horseradish can cause various adverse effects.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: When consumed in large amounts, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, gastrointestinal upset.
Topically: Fresh horseradish can cause irritation or allergic reaction.
Serious Adverse Effects (Rare):
Orally: Transient vasovagal syncope.

Dermatologic ...Topically, skin contact with fresh horseradish can cause irritation (4,19) or allergic reaction (4).

Endocrine ...Orally, horseradish and other members of the cabbage and mustard family are associated with depressed thyroid function (4).

Gastrointestinal ...Orally, consuming large amounts of horseradish can cause gastrointestinal upset, bloody vomiting and diarrhea (2,6), and irritation of mucous membranes (2,4).

Genitourinary ...Orally, consuming large amounts of horseradish can cause irritation of the urinary tract (19).

Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, consuming large amounts of horseradish can cause vasovagal syncope in rare cases. At least two cases of vasovagal syncope associated with horseradish consumption have been reported. In one case, a 56-year-old male experienced a sharp burning sensation in his stomach followed by tachycardia, weakness, and excessive perspiration after consuming an oyster topped with an olive-sized dollop of fresh horseradish. He experienced vasovagal syncope within 5 minutes of horseradish ingestion but regained consciousness moments later, with few residual symptoms and no medical intervention required. Researchers theorize that the vapors from horseradish can irritate the gastric or respiratory tract mucosa triggering the vaso-vagal response. Horseradish-induced vasovagal syncope has also been referred to as Seder syncope due to the tradition of consuming bitter herbs, including horseradish, during the Jewish Passover holiday dinner. To reduce the potential for this reaction, researchers suggest that freshly prepared horseradish rest before consumption, allowing some of the active vapor ingredient, thought to be isothiocyanate, to evaporate before ingestion (111724).

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