How amazing is it that your kitchen can have items to help you heal?
All it takes is a little understanding of the foods and herbs we have available to us that can make a powerful difference on a healing journey.
It’s more common to find horseradish in the grocery store with egg and mayonnaise – but did you know this root vegetable actually has powerful medicinal properties?
Horseradish is in the mustard family, and many compare it to wasabi. It has a bright, spicy flavor that can brighten up a dish or be taken on its own.
Let’s uncover just a few of what horseradish can do for you!
How Horseradish Is A Powerful Ally For Your Health
HORSERADISH CLEANSES YOUR BODY.
Our bodies accumulate many things that don’t serve them, such as chemicals, metals, bacteria, viruses, and other toxins. If we don’t clean them out, they can build up and build up and over time, they can trigger or worsen health issues. Horseradish is a diuretic, meaning it can help flush these toxins out of the body. It can also help clean out the kidneys even as the kidneys are being utilized to usher toxins out. This study also showed horseradish to be helpful in lowering bad cholesterol.
Have you ever tasted something spicy and immediately felt more awake? Such spice can increase circulation to the brain and all over the body, and horseradish is one of these spicy foods that improves the cardiovascular system. Good, flowing circulation is an important element in ridding the body of toxins, as well as lymphatic flow. Your lymph system, among many other functions, helps get rid of the “garbage” in the body – and horseradish improves the lymphatic system as well. Learn more about the lymphatic system here.
HORSERADISH REDUCES INFLAMMATION.
One important way to reduce inflammation is through the foods you eat – and horseradish is definitely one of these! Horseradish is high in antioxidants, Vitamin C, and many minerals that the body requires. Inflammation is a symptom and trigger for numerous health conditions, and can cause many different issues in the body. Horseradish is one of many ways to assist the body with reducing inflammation. Read more ways to lower inflammation here.
HORSERADISH FIGHTS OFF ILLNESS.
Too spicy for the germs? Yes indeed – horseradish has been found to have antimicrobial properties against several bacterial and viral strains, including staph, strep, and E. coli. This veggie has also shown antibiotic properties and has proven helpful for urinary tract infections (UTI) and respiratory infections. Need a stronger immune system? Horseradish has been shown to improve your immune system. In fact, it helps keep all your systems intact and in communication with one another. In my experience, it has also helped mitigate the effects of viral shedding (see more here). Horseradish has also been used to help treat respiratory illnesses, colds, flu, fevers, and to rid the body of mucus and congestion.
HORSERADISH AIDS WEIGHT LOSS.
Low in calories and high in fiber, as well as horseradish’s close relation to the mustard family (which has weight loss properties), make this veg a great tool for weight loss. In conjunction with its anti-inflammatory properties and cleansing abilities (see above), it seems that horseradish can also target unnecessary fat in the body. To learn more tips for weight loss, see here and here.
HORSERADISH SUPPORTS DIGESTION.
Digestive issues? Horseradish has been found to assist in digestion. Even in stomachs with gastric lesions, horseradish was found to help heal the lesions and support healthy digestion. A little bit of horseradish can go a long way, and there are many ways to make horseradish easy to get into your daily regimen.
Ways To Use Horseradish
MAKE A PASTE.
I make this paste and keep a jar of it in the fridge. I add it to soups, sauces, other dishes, tonics, etc to add flavor and medicinal value. We have also taken a small amount of it right in the mouth if needed to fight something off. The amount can vary person to person depending on how much they can tolerate. I have had clients scoop a toothpick in the paste and that is plenty. Others can take a tablespoon or more. I would recommend to start slow and work your way up. You can take it consistently or as needed. The paste is very simple and easy to make.
Ingredients:
- Fresh horseradish
Good quality olive oil (amount can vary depending on size of horseradish)
Instructions:
- Clean your horseradish root very well, and peel (optional). Slice and add to a food processor.
- Drizzle a little olive oil into the processor. Run the processor, adding olive oil as necessary to make a paste consistency.
- Store in a glass airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
DEHYDRATE TO STORE.
To add horseradish to my food storage, I clean it, slice it, and dehydrate it. I put it in an airtight container and keep with my food storage in case horseradish ever becomes hard to find. If it isn’t a scarcity, then we will eventually use it up. This also comes in handy for making a tea with horseradish.
MAKE A TEA.
You can also drink horseradish tea, which is a great way to get the benefits of horseradish – especially when you are sick. It’s similar to garlic water – you can make it as strong or mild as you wish depending on your need and your tolerance. To make a tea, you can take either a fresh slice or a dehydrated slice of horseradish and soak it in hot water. Sweeten with raw organic honey if you wish, and drink it down!
Other Sources of Horseradish
I always recommend fresh to be best, but there are several benefits to taking horseradish in supplement form. If horseradish is hard to find in your area; if you need horseradish in high amounts for your healing journey; or if taking a supplemental form is easier for your lifestyle than working with the fresh stuff – here are some other high-quality sources so you can also enjoy the benefits. *If you wish, you can use my code NATURE15 for a discount at checkout.
I hope horseradish is another tool in your health toolbox for you to use to empower your health journey!
Ignite the Healer within,
Amber Bodily
P.S. If you are looking to strengthen your immune system, check out my online course UNDEFEATED: Your Passport To A Powerful Immune System or get 20% off the course here.
Horseradish Paste
Horseradish is a powerful anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, diuretic and toxin cleanser, and supports weight loss and digestion - among many other benefits! I make this paste and keep a jar of it in the fridge. I add it to soups, sauces, other dishes, tonics, etc to add flavor and medicinal value. We have also taken a small amount of it right in the mouth if needed to fight something off. The amount can vary person to person depending on how much they can tolerate. I have had clients scoop a toothpick in the paste and that is plenty. Others can take a tablespoon or more. I would recommend to start slow and work your way up. You can take it consistently or as needed. The paste is very simple and easy to make.
Ingredients
- Fresh horseradish root
- Good quality olive oil (amount can vary depending on amount of horseradish)
Instructions
-
Clean your horseradish root very well, and peel (optional). Slice and add to a food processor.
-
Drizzle a little olive oil into the processor. Run the processor, adding olive oil as necessary to make a paste consistency.
-
Store in a glass airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
