HORSERADISH Overview Information
Horseradish is a plant. It is frequently prepared as a condiment, but the roots are also used as medicine.
Horseradish is used for urinary tract infections, kidney stones, fluid retention, cough, bronchitis, achy joints (rheumatism), gallbladder disorders, sciatic nerve pain, gout, colic, and intestinal worms in children.
Some people apply horseradish directly to the skin for painful and swollen joints or tissues and for minor muscle aches.
How does it work?
Horseradish might help fight bacteria and stop spasms.
HORSERADISH Uses & Effectiveness 
Insufficient Evidence for:
- Urinary tract problems.
- Fluid retention (edema).
- Cough.
- Bronchitis.
- Achy joints and muscles.
- Gout.
- Gallbladder disorders.
- Sciatic nerve pain.
- Colic.
- Intestinal worms in children.
- Other conditions.
HORSERADISH Side Effects & Safety
Horseradish is safe in food amounts and is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when used by mouth in medicinal amounts. However, it contains mustard oil, which is extremely irritating to the lining of the mouth, throat, nose, digestive system, and urinary tract. Horseradish can cause side effects including stomach upset, bloody vomiting, and diarrhea. It may also slow down the activity of the thyroid gland.
When used on the skin, horseradish is POSSIBLY SAFE when preparations containing 2% mustard oil or less are used, but it can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Children less than 4 years old: Horseradish is UNSAFE in young children because it can cause digestive tract problems.Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It’s UNSAFE to use horseradish in large amounts if you are pregnant. Horseradish contains mustard oil, which can be toxic and irritating. Horseradish tincture should not be used regularly or in large amounts because it might cause a miscarriage.
Stomach or intestinal ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, infections or other digestive tract conditions: Horseradish can irritate the digestive tract. Don’t use horseradish of you have any of these conditions.
Underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism): There is concern that using horseradish might make this condition worse.
Kidney problems: There is concern that horseradish might increase urine flow. This could be a problem for people with kidney disorders. Avoid using horseradish if you have kidney problems.
HORSERADISH Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Levothyroxine interacts with HORSERADISH
Levothyroxine is used for low thyroid function. Horseradish seems to decrease the thyroid. Taking horseradish along with levothyroxine might decrease the effects of levothyroxine.
Some brands that contain levothyroxine include Armour Thyroid, Eltroxin, Estre, Euthyrox, Levo-T, Levothroid, Levoxyl, Synthroid, Unithroid, and others.
HORSERADISH Dosing
The appropriate dose of horseradish depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for horseradish. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
