Horseradish belongs to Brassicaceae family of the plant. It is a root vegetable that is primarily used as condiment rather than vegetable. The plant grows to a height of 1.5 meters .It is a hot pungent condiment that is mainly cultivated for its large white, tapering root. The plant is used not only in various cuisines but also carry within itself certain medicinal benefits.


Origin
Plant is native to east Europe and the region around Mediterranean and west Asia. In modern period horseradish is cultivated all over the world and is very popular.

Horseradish Description
Horseradish is a root plant. The root is long, non uniform, rough and tapering. The forms in which the root is sold are both in the fresh form and the grated form. The root is also sold sometimes in the powdered and the the flaked form. Healthy roots are good in pungency as compared to thin roots.
Horseradish is a perennial plant having large, long leaves with pale veins. The plant grows and thrives well in cool and moderate climate.

Chemical Constituents
The main constituent of of horseradish is glucosinolates including glucobrassicanapin and the indol-derived glucobrassicin. There are also some non volatile compounds like flavone glycosides and ascorbic acid.

Horseradish Cultivation
Horseradish can be grown in any types of soil but it thrives well in well drained loam full of humus. The plant requires average rainfall of 0.5 to 1.7 meters and the temperature between 5 to 19 degrees centigrade. The plant is usually planted with root crowns and root cuttings. Horseradish can be grown by dividing and replanting the root.

Uses Of Horseradish
Culinary Use
Horseradish It is mainly used to prepare sauces which can be used with various dishes like cold egg dishes, cheese, chicken and hot ham. It tastes good with fish.
The butter prepared out of horse dish goes well with grilled fish and meat. Horse dish is also used for flavoring various eating items. It is also mixed with mustard and used similarly as a condiment. In some parts of Europe, grated horseradish is mixed with grated apples and then consumed as a spicy relish to fried or cooked meat.

Medicinal Benefits
Horseradish is rich in vitamin C It has following health benefits:

• It acts as stimulant.
• Horseradish is diuretic, diaphoretic, rubefacient and antiseptic in nature.
• It is capable of digesting fatty acid as it is gastric stimulant.
• It is good with rich or fatty indigestible foods.
• Horse dish is very helpful in dropsy.
• In diseases like rheumatism, gout, swellings and chilblains it is of great help.
• Horseradish is also believed to posses some of antimicrobial properties.

History of Horseradish Origin of Horseradish is still not clear but it is a fact that it was used by the Egyptians even before 1500 B.C.. Th Romans used it as an aphrodisiac. Pliny in his natural history mentioned it by the name of Amoracia and talked in length about its medicinal qualities. In medieval ages both the plants and the roots were used as condiment in Denmark and Germany.

Horseradish in Different Languages

Arabic	Fajl haar
French	Raifort
German	Kren, Meerrettich
Greek	Armorakia, Chreno
Italian	Barbaforte, Cren, Rafano
Spanish	Taramago
Swedish	Pepparrot
Turkish	Yaban turbu, Bayir turpu