Medicinal Monday - A Hot Herb of Surprises -Horseradish!

Horseradish (Armoracia rusticana) is a perennial that originated in southeastern Europe and western Asia; today this hardy plant is grown all over the world.  The use of the horseradish root has been used medicinally for more than 3,000 years to treat a wide variety of illnesses.  When brought to North America, Native American communities found many ways to use this highly regarded medicinal plant.

About Horseradish
This hardy perennial is easy to cultivate and, once established it grows well in full sun and slightly moist soil.  The plant grows in clumps and has bright green heart-shaped leaves that grow out from the main stalk that can grow up to three feet tall.  The flowers have four white petals and the plant usually blooms in the summer months. The fruits are spherical and hold four to six seeds. After the first frost in autumn kills the leaves, the root is dug up and divided, with the main root is usually kept for harvest and offshoots replanted. The entire root system can extend several feet depending on the age of the plant.

Medicinal Uses of Horseradish
After removing the center rib of the leaves the Mohegan make a poultice with the remaining leaves, this mixture is bound to both cheeks on the face to treat a toothache.  The Iroquois make an infusion of the roots and drink it as a blood medicine.  The Delaware, Ontario, use a poultice of leaves to treat neuralgia.  The Cherokee found several uses for this plant and use it to treat rheumatism, colds, sore throats, and asthma.  They also chew the roots as an oral aid for sore gums and other diseases of the mouth.

Did You Know...

Ancient Greeks and Romans used this herb to treat back pain and during the Middle Ages, this plant was incorporated into the Passover Seder as one of the bitter herbs.

The Sass family was instrumental in developing the horseradish industry in Illinois in the mid.-1800s. 

In 1869 John Henry Heinz made horseradish sauce from his mother's recipe with the intention of selling it and started the commercial horseradish industry in the Midwest.

Today, Collinsville, Illinois refers to itself as "the horseradish capital of the world" and holds an annual festival to celebrate the plant.

The name horseradish may be a derivation of the German word meerettich, which means, stronger radish.

About The Institute for American Indian Studies (IAIS)

Located on 15 woodland acres the IAIS preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs.  We have an outdoor replicated 16th c. Algonkian Village and Wigwam Escape and a Museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present that allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located on 38 Curtis Road in Washington Connecticut.