WHITE HOREHOUND Marrubium vulgare, L.( Dr. A. J. Thut, Guelph, Canada)
HORSE RADISH Cochlearia armoracia, Lam.( N. O.: Cruciferae)
Features: Originally Horse radish came to North America from eastern Europe. It has naturalized in the United States and Canada, and throughout most of the world.
The perennial root sends up numerous smooth, erect, branch stems, growing 2 – 3 ft. high. The large leaves are lanceolate, waved, scalloped on the edges and stand up on 1 ft. long stalks. The flowers are numerous and white, followed by seed pods divided into two cells, each containing four to six seeds. The hot, biting root is tapering, conical at the top; fleshy, whitish externally. The fresh root is much more powerful than the dried. Medicinal Part: The root. Bodily Influence: Stimulant, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Digestive. Uses: Effective for promoting stomach secretions and is used as a digestive agent. It has been used by Herbalists of the past as a most worthy diuretic. Dr. Coffin used a preparation of: 1 oz. fresh Horse radish root, sliced; ½ oz. Mustard seed, bruised; 1 pint boiling water. Let it stand in a covered vessel for 4 hrs., then strain. Dose: 3 tablespoonfuls three times a day. This preparation is especially useful for retention of water when the body hoards water in abnormal amounts. Dr. Coffin also states that the above formula is“ especially useful for dropsy occurring after fevers and intermittents”. Another cause of this fearful disease is the retention of sulphur in our system, which interferes with the absorption and secretion of the endocrine glands and central nervous system. A syrup made of grated Horse radish, honey and water will control ordinary cases of hoarseness; 1 teaspoonful every 1 – 2 hr. Dr. Wood and Dr. Ruddock, M. D., in their book“ Vitalogy” gives us more assurance of Horse radish as an agent in dropsy abnormalities“ A warm infusion of the fresh root in cider, drunk in sufficient quantity to produce perspiration and repeated every night, has cured dropsy in two or three weeks.” It also has merit in rheumatism, neuralgia, paralysis and in weak digestive organs, particularly the function of the pancreas. Dose: 1 teaspoonful of the root to 1 cup of boiling water. Drink cold or hot, 1 – 2 cupfuls a day, a large mouthful at a time; of the tincture, ½ – 1 fl. dram. Homoeopathic Clinical: Tincture of the root— Albuminuria, Aphonia, Asthma, Cataract, Colic, Cornea( spots on), Eruptions, Eyes( affections of), Gonorrhoea, Gravel, Headache, Leucorrhoea, Lungs( oedema of), Rheumatism, Scurvy, Strangury, Toothache, Ulcers, Urinary disorders. Russian Experience: Hren( Horse radish) is a bitter spice found growing in most gardens for home use as a food accompaniment, and Folk Medicine. This is a rich source of Vitamin C and is given in cases of scrofula, as a stomachic and diuretic. The juice of the root mixed with honey aids a sluggish