Ways to use horseradish leaves and their benefits for health and beauty

Horseradish is widely used in cooking, but for many summer residents this plant is a malicious weed, which they mercilessly remove from the site. And they do it completely in vain. The leaves of this plant have healing properties and are actively used in cosmetology and folk medicine.

What are the benefits of horseradish leaves?

The composition of the greens of this plant includes phytoncides. These substances have an antimicrobial effect, which persists even in dried leaves.

The culture is used as an aid for many health problems:

• removes salts, toxins and heavy metals from tissues;
• eliminates joint pain and promotes the restoration of cartilage tissue;
• fresh leaves improve appetite and stimulate digestion;
• infusions and decoctions have a beneficial effect on the respiratory system - they are used in the treatment of cough, sore throat and sinusitis;
• Regular consumption of dishes with this plant helps normalize cholesterol levels in the blood and serves as a prevention of atherosclerosis;
• fresh leaves are used as compresses for severe headaches;
• crushed greens are used in cosmetology to nourish and rejuvenate the skin and stimulate hair growth.

Composition and properties

Benefits of leaves horseradish for the body due to their rich chemical composition.

Reference! Greens contain almost all the vitamins and minerals needed by the human body.

100 g contains:

• 9.4 g protein;
• 1.4 g fat;
• 6.2 g carbohydrates.

The composition of greens includes the following vitamins and minerals (per 100 g):

• vitamin PP – 4.6 mg;
• vitamin B9 (folic acid) – 40 mcg;
• vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) – 1.2 mg;
• vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) – 0.13 mg;
• vitamin B2 (riboflavin) – 0.66 mg;
• vitamin B1 (thiamine) – 0.26 mg;
• vitamin C (ascorbic acid) – 51.7 mg;
• potassium – 337 mg;
• calcium – 185 mg;
• magnesium – 147 mg;
• phosphorus – 112 mg;
• sodium – 9 mg;
• iron – 4 mg;
• manganese – 1.06 mg;
• zinc – 0.6 mg;
• copper – 0.11 mcg;
• selenium – 0.9 mcg.

Not only fresh and dried leaves, but also horseradish roots have beneficial properties. Juice is pressed from fresh raw materials. It is used to improve appetite and the functioning of the digestive system. Fresh leaves also have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect, so they are often used in the treatment of radiculitis.

The dried raw materials are ground into powder and infusions are prepared on its basis for the treatment of rheumatism and throat diseases.

Therapeutic effect

The healing properties of horseradish leaves are primarily expressed in their ability to prevent the deposition of salts. Regular use of alcohol tincture helps to avoid joint pain.

The plant is also useful for eating. Once in the stomach, horseradish stimulates the production of enzymes and gastric juice. This improves appetite and normalizes the functioning of the digestive system.

In addition, the culture is considered a natural antibiotic. The substances included in its composition destroy bacteria and fungi, so horseradish root and leaves are added to winter preparations to extend shelf life.

What diseases does it help with?

Fresh horseradish leaves, as well as infusions, decoctions and compresses based on them, help against many diseases:

• reduce cholesterol levels in atherosclerosis;
• prevent salt deposition in osteochondrosis and destruction of cartilage tissue in osteoporosis;
• have an anti-inflammatory effect;
• used in the treatment of hepatitis;
• when taken orally, they effectively relieve headaches, and as compresses – pain in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine;
• used to gargle for sore throat, to treat sinusitis and cough.

How are they used in cooking?

Found the rich, pungent taste of horseradish use in cooking. Fresh leaves and roots are often used in canning and pickling. Sauces are also prepared from root vegetables and added to salads and vegetables for pickling.

In Russian cuisine, “khrenoder” (“horseradish”) is a traditional addition to fried meat and jelly. Young leaves are added to soups and salads. Ground dried herbs are used as a seasoning for meat, poultry and vegetable dishes.

Use in folk medicine

In folk medicine, several uses of this vegetable are practiced. Tinctures and rubs are prepared from it, and young leaves are used for compresses.

Compress

Herbal lotions are used to relieve joint pain:

1. Fresh leaves are ground into a paste, mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice and rubbed into the sore joint several times a day.
2. To relieve inflammation, young leaves are applied to the sore joint and left overnight.
3. A compress of horseradish leaves and apples minced and mixed in equal proportions will help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

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Rubbing

Rubs based on horseradish leaves are used to treat knee arthrosis.Application options:

1. The chopped greens are poured with hot water and brought to a boil.
2. Moisten gauze in the cooled liquid, place a young horseradish leaf on it and apply it to the sore joint.
3. In winter, dry leaves are used to prepare the rub. For 600 ml of water you will need 25 g of raw materials.
4. Rubbing from horseradish greens, turnips and radishes relieves inflammation well. The components are taken in equal proportions and crushed in a blender. The resulting pulp is gently rubbed into the sore joint.

Tincture

Tincture of horseradish leaves is a universal medicine. It is used externally for rubbing, and internally to eliminate inflammatory processes in the throat and digestive organs.

The medicine is prepared as follows:

1. 5-6 large horseradish leaves are crushed, placed in a jar and filled with 500 ml of vodka or alcohol.
2. Cover the container with a lid and leave in the refrigerator for a week.
3. Before use, strain and drink a tablespoon three times a day 30 minutes before meals.

If you add a little honey or lemon juice to the tincture, it will serve as an effective remedy in the fight against colds and coughs.

Use in cosmetology for skin

In cosmetology, horseradish leaves are used to eliminate skin problems. They are used to prepare therapeutic and prophylactic masks.

Note! To whiten the skin and eliminate age spots, a decoction of horseradish root is mixed with juice from fresh leaves in equal proportions. The resulting pulp is diluted in half with boiled water and wiped on the face twice a day.

Mask recipes:

1. To tighten pores and eliminate dull skin: 1 tsp. The pulp from the leaves is mixed with 2 tsp. grated apple Add 1 tsp. honey and apply the mixture to your face for 10 minutes.
2. To treat acne: after washing with warm water, apply a paste of leaves to the face and leave for 10-15 minutes. If a burning sensation occurs, wash off the mask earlier.
3. For rejuvenation: horseradish root is passed through a meat grinder, two leaves are crushed in a blender and 1 tbsp is added. l. sour cream. The paste is applied to the face in a thin layer and left for 15 minutes. Wash off with a cotton pad soaked in warm milk, and after 5 minutes wash with warm water.

For hair

The rich chemical composition of horseradish leaves has a beneficial effect on the condition of hair. To strengthen hair follicles and prevent hair loss, prepare the following mask:

1. A tablespoon of fresh juice from the leaves is mixed with 1 tsp. castor and 0.5 tsp. burdock oil.
2. The liquid is mixed, add 1 tbsp. l. corn starch and 1 tsp. cognac
3. The resulting mixture is applied to the roots of clean hair, covered with film, wrapped in a towel and left for an hour, after which it is washed off with shampoo.

This mask increases blood flow to the hair follicles, stimulates their growth and eliminates dandruff.

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For weight loss

Horseradish leaves contain the enzyme myrosin. They activate metabolism and reduce fat accumulation.

Slimming balm is prepared from 100 g of crushed root mixed with 3 tbsp. l. honey and juice of half a lemon. All ingredients are mixed and taken twice a day, a teaspoon before meals. The product is stored in a container with an airtight lid for no more than three days.

Contraindications and possible harm

Despite the numerous beneficial properties of horseradish leaves, products based on them have contraindications.They are not recommended for people with gastritis in the acute stage, patients with gastric ulcers and serious kidney pathologies.

If you use horseradish too actively, the beneficial properties will turn into harm and will negatively affect the state of the digestive system.

How to properly prepare horseradish leaves

Young horseradish leaves for cosmetic procedures are cut in early spring. To prepare traditional medicine, raw materials are harvested throughout the summer, but the maximum amount of useful substances accumulates in the leaves in the fall.

The aboveground part of the plants is carefully cut off and hung in a room with good ventilation. In this state they can be stored until next season.

Conclusion

Horseradish leaves are not only a tasty seasoning, but also an effective medicine. Tinctures and rubs relieve pain and inflammation, help maintain youthful and beautiful skin, and promote weight loss.