The horseradish. Medicinal plant

Due to its antibiotic properties, horseradish is recommended as a medicinal plant. We live in a time in which more and more people are developing a resistance to antibiotics. Here, the anti-inflammatory, disinfecting effect of horseradish can support our organism. When we rub a fresh root, we immediately smell the pungent spice of horseradish and it literally brings tears to our eyes.

The mustard oil glycosides, which are mainly found in the root, are responsible for this. These have a germ-inhibiting effect and are used in folk medicine primarily for colds, urinary tract infections and also for rheumatism and gout. Its vitamin C content is higher than that of lemons.
Laboratory studies at the University of Freiburg, for example, have shown that a plant combination with horseradish has a pronounced germ-inhibiting effect against all 13 bacterial pathogens of respiratory, throat and urinary tract infections examined.

Horseradish is a tall perennial up to 125 cm tall, with long, notched stem leaves and small white flowers. It usually grows in gardens, but also grows in the wild. The young leaves in the middle can be harvested, as they taste excellent in herb spreads, soups and salads. The grated root tastes good with ham and turns a simple sausage into a delicacy. According to experts, horseradish should be part of the daily diet, at least during the cold season.

Caution: Anyone suffering from stomach or intestinal ulcers should avoid horseradish!

While the word horseradish is used in German and Swiss High German, the word horseradish is predominantly used in Austria (partly also in south-eastern Germany). The word horseradish, which has been used in Austria and Bavaria as well as in Silesian since the 13th century (chrēn, krēn), is a loan word from the Slavic language area.
The original home of the plant is in Eastern and Southern Europe, where it is called horseradish (also "Kre" and "Kreen").

There are different views on the origin of the word horseradish. The plant name can first be traced in its Old High German form in the 10th century (mērrātih). According to the German botanist Heinrich Marzell, the name means "the radish that came to us by sea".

Potato pancakes with horseradish:
Mix 300 g grated potatoes with 50 g freshly grated horseradish and 2 eggs.
Add 2 tbsp flour, salt and pepper and fry in hot oil until crispy.
Serve with a dip made from sour cream and herbs. If you like, you can also season the dip with horseradish!

Horseradish drink for a strong immune system:
5 g horseradish root
125 ml cloudy apple juice,
1 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp honey
Peel and finely grate the fresh root. Mix with the juices and leave to infuse for 15 minutes. Strain through a sieve and add the honey.
Drink a sip daily after breakfast.

Horseradish soup:
1 onion
3 potatoes
olive oil
1 l vegetable stock
80 g freshly grated horseradish
1/8 l cream
Fry the chopped onion in olive oil, add the diced potato and fry briefly. Pour in the vegetable stock and simmer until soft.
Add the horseradish and cream, stop cooking. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Apple horseradish as a dip or with boiled beef:
100g freshly grated horseradish
1 freshly grated apple
1 tsp lemon juice
pinch of sugar and salt
Mix everything together and leave to stand briefly.