Armoracia lapathifolia Health Dictionary

Gilib.

Synonym: A. rusticana Gaertn et al.

Family: Cruciferae; Brassicaceae.

Habitat: Native to Europe; grown in gardens in northern India and in hill stations of southern India.

English: Horseradish.

Action: Circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, diuretic, antibiotic. Used for both urinary and respiratory tract infections. Root—liver, spleen and pancreatic stimulant; an alternative to Cayenne pepper; urinary antiseptic; diuretic; used in the treatment of gout, increases excretion of uric acid; also for proteinura and vaginal discharges. An infusion is used for hepatitis.

Key application: In catarrhs of the respiratory tract and as a supportive therapy for infections of the urinary tract; externally for catarrhs of the respiratory tract and hyperaemic treatment of minor muscle aches. (German Commission E.) It is contraindicated in stomach and intestinal ulcers and kidney disorders; not to be administered to children under 4 years.

The root contains glucosinolates, mainly sinigrin, which releases allyl isothiocyanate on contact with the enzyme myrosin during crushing. The oil exhibits broad-spectrum antibiotic activity due to allyl isothiocyanates and allied compounds; used internally as stimulant, sudorific and diuretic. Antibiotic activity is stronger against Gram-positive bacteria than against Gram-negative bacteria. The oil also exhibits cytotoxic activity.

The root produces an inhibitory effect on the growth of Gram-negative bacteria of the typhoid-paratyphoid- entertitis group.

Kaempferol, a component of Horseradish, inhibits thyroid peroxidase, which is involved in the biosynthe sis of thyroid hormone. (Sharon M. Herr.)