On any, even the smallest site there is a place for landing horseradish. Both the aboveground and root parts of the plant are widely used in cooking and traditional medicine. Useful properties of the culture and a unique chemical composition have also been used in cosmetology, in particular for bleaching the skin of the face and against hair loss. In this article we will talk not only about the healing effect of greenery, but also learn how to plant it in the country, how to grow it properly, successfully propagate it and plant it.
Table of contents
- Description and characteristics of horseradish
- How blooms
- What to do with flowers if horseradish bloomed
- Useful properties of leaves and root
- Use in traditional medicine at home
- How to plant horseradish on a plot in the garden in the spring
- How to propagate and properly transplant the plant in the country
Description and characteristics of horseradish
The perennial culture of the cruciferous family has dense leaves and a thick, fleshy root. The height of an erect stem reaches 60-120 cm. The lower green, located near the root zone, is oblong-oval with a jagged edge. Leaves growing in the middle of the outlet, oblong lanceolate shape. The top is formed by linear foliage with a color 2-3 tones lighter than the lower part of the plant.
Frost resistance is considered a feature of the culture, the root part withstands frost down to minus 45 °. Young frosts are also not afraid of spring frosts, so creating a shelter for horseradish is not necessary.
How blooms
The bloom period of horseradish falls in May - June of the second year of the plant. Flowers bisexual with white delicate petals and a pleasant aroma, which is completely unusual for the brutal bush. Inflorescences are grouped in clusters, resembling remotely a sprig of white lilac.
As it is known horseradish multiplies with cuttings. However, there is a seed method. After the end of flowering bloated pod is formed, in which seeds develop. Any gardener will confirm that the culture blooms rarely. If there is an intense release of inflorescences, then in those areas where the roots are often dug. Botanists explain this phenomenon by the desire of a plant to change its habitat as a result of a threat to survival. In the absence of multiplication by the cutting method, the self-preservation mode is automatically activated.
What to do with flowers if horseradish bloomed
Flowers in folk medicine are of great value. The products prepared from them help oncology patients maintain their health, strengthening the protective function of the body.
From the flowers you can make a tincture that strengthens the immune system, giving strength and energy. To do this, you need to thwart a blooming arrow on the old moon. Grinding inflorescences, fill them with a jar to the shoulders and pour over forty-degree vodka. After insisting means for 10 days, you can take it by a teaspoon diluted in a glass of water.
If the flowers are not plucked from the bush, then soon in their place will appear an airy rounded pod with seeds. After full maturity, they can be used for breeding horseradish. If you see that horseradish blooms that is undesirable. You just need to cut off unnecessary flowers and throw away from the site.
Useful properties of leaves and root
The benefits and healing effects of plants are simply invaluable. The rich vitamin composition of horseradish allows the use of leaves and root in traditional medicine. Of greatest interest is the root of the plant, which includes:
- vitamin C;
- vitamins PP, B;
- carbohydrates (arabinose, sucrose, galactose, etc.);
- galacturonic acid;
- saponins;
- mustard oil and other substances.
The leaves are also valuable in medicine and cosmetology due to the content of the following components:
- vitamins B, C, PP;
- mineral salts of nitrogen, potassium, etc.
No less interesting for traditional medicine are flowers of horseradish. They are collected in the middle of the flowering period. It is at this time that the inflorescences are maximally enriched with useful substances that favorably affect the human body.
Useful properties of culture:
- improves brain activity, strengthens memory, restores vision;
- increases reproductive function in men;
- normalizes the digestive system, improves metabolism;
- eliminates diseases of the oral cavity (useful for teeth and gums);
- neutralizes the effects of tobacco and alcohol, which makes it possible to supplement the addiction treatment with horseradish products;
- cleans the intestines from toxins, decomposition products and harmful microorganisms.
Harm and contraindications for the body
Now let's look at whether the plant is harmful and why. Horseradish refers to products that cause irritation of the mucous membrane, so eating different foods with it or medicines should be limited. A positive effect can be achieved only with a brief use of leaves or the root of the plant.
Contraindications to the use of the following diseases:
- gastric and duodenal ulcer;
- gastritis, which developed on the background of increased acidity;
- edema caused by renal failure;
- disorders of the kidneys and liver.
Special attention should be given to allergies in order to avoid exacerbation of the disease. The plant contains components that are considered causative agents of allergies.
Use in traditional medicine at home
Horseradish contains a large amount of phytoncides and lysozymes, which allows the plant to be used as an anti-inflammatory agent. Infusions and decoctions made from the roots and leaves have immunomodulatory properties. This is a good addition to the treatment of such diseases as:
- hypovitaminosis;
- angina;
- radiculitis;
- bronchitis;
- bronchial asthma and others
In diabetes or cancer, grated horseradish with kefir is useful. In combination with honey, the drug is used to treat tuberculosis, Botkin's disease, and hepatitis. Chopped root pulp is used instead of mustard plaster on muscles and joints.
Avoiding the flu
At home, even this nasty virus can be treated. Peeled root mince, add 1 tablespoon of honey. Mix the mixture and leave for 12 hours. After that, it will remain to strain the obtained liquid through gauze and take the product in a tablespoon 3 times a day (before meals for 30 minutes).
Curative effect on sinus
For 10 days, breathe in pairs of grated root. Juice, diluted with water in equal parts, bury the nose 2 times a day, 1 drop.
Application from freckles
Dissolve a tablespoon of grated root with a glass of water. After stirring, leave the mixture infused for 4 hours. Strain the liquid to use for daily rubbing of the face instead of lotion.
How to plant horseradish on a plot in the garden in the spring
Get and grow then horseradish in the garden is quite simple. To do this, in spring (mid-April) a fragment of the spine, cut from an annual plant, should be planted in the prepared soil. The landing site is pre-enriched with humus and wood ash. At the stem, before digging, the kidneys located in the middle are removed. Make it just a rough cloth, rubbing her kidney.
The handle is stirred in the hole at an angle of 45 °. Most of the root should be deepened (about 12-15 cm), and the tip (about 5 cm) remains on the ground surface. The interval between the bushes is at least 40-45 cm.
Features of care:
- periodic watering (not frequent);
- loosening the soil (first time 1 time per week);
- cleaning weeds around the stalk.
Horseradish needs good lighting, so the landing place should not be in the shade. Due to lack of light, the plant may die.
How to propagate and properly transplant the plant in the country
Reproduces the representative of cruciferous cherenkovom way. This happens spontaneously and quite intensively, so the growth of new bushes should be kept under control, otherwise horseradish will spread throughout the site.
Harvesting cuttings is carried out in the fall. To do this, the lateral processes 20-25 cm long are separated from the main root. It is desirable that their diameter be in the range of 0.8-1.2 cm. Until spring, the blanks are stored in the cellar.For reliability they should be sprinkled with sawdust or sand.
Growing horseradish garden is not difficult. He is completely unpretentious in the care. It can easily be planted anywhere, if necessary, transplanted. And after maybe even have to fight sprawl. However, he does not like excess moisture, so it is better not to overdo it with watering. In the household and the leaves and roots will find useful application.