Horseradish

Though synonymous with tomato sauce (ketchup), the now gigantic condiment business started by Henry Heinz, has its roots in horseradish (pardon the pun). Born to German immigrants, the would-be condiment king grew up in Pennsylvania which in the mid-1800s was recognised as fertile ground for eye watering horseradish root, a classic German flavouring companion to fish and fatty meats such as roast beef. There were no refrigerators or freezers during this time and people ate fresh foods in the seasons when they were available. During the winter they ate what they had preserved in the late summer and autumn. Heinz’s first product was grated horseradish, from his mother Anna Heinz's recipe, preserved and bottled in clear glass to assure customers of its purity. This saved homemakers from a thankless, but necessary task. Horseradish sauce was not easy to make. It required long and tedious grating and the smell could be very strong. When it was being prepared it could cause the eyes to water and noses to burn. Heinz believed that women would gladly skip the process of grating their own horseradish if they could buy a trusted, packaged product. His hunch proved correct and the product sold well, becoming one of the earliest convenience foods. By 1898 Heinz’s factory had become the largest food processing facility in the world. In herbal medicine circles horseradish root is perhaps best known as lending a fiery kick, along with cayenne (Capsicum frutescens), to the oxymel known as Fire Cider, a favourite wintertime tonic remedy famed for its immune building and sinus clearing properties. 

Energetically horseradish is a pungent, very hot herb, meaning it also stimulates digestion and circulation, which can be warming on cold winter days. Internationally renowned medical herbalist David Hoffmann says it “stimulates the digestive process whilst easing wind and griping pains.” As well as being a circulatory stimulant, horseradish is an antimicrobial, expectorant and diuretic herb, that is particularly useful in supporting patients with either upper respiratory or urinary tract infections. It is widely used in combination with other ingredients, such as garlic (Allium sativum), in herbal decongestant formulations where it is reputed to eliminate excessive catarrh from the respiratory tract, as seen in hay fever and sinusitis.” 

UK clinical herbalist Lucy Jones, known for growing and processing most of her own herbs, says she often includes horseradish in prescriptions for patients with long standing sinus issues. “The Horseradish helps to resolve stagnancy in the circulation in the sinus area and shifts stubborn long-standing infections.” 

References

Quave, C.L. Quave Research Group Website. Version 11.0, April 2015. Armoracia rusticana G. Gaertn., B. Mey. & Scherb., Brassicaceae by Andrew Mongue [Internet]; 2015 [accessed 16 Oct 2023]. Available from https://etnobotanica.us/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Plant-Monograph-Book-4.2013.pdf

Ruby E. Heinz: First Products and an Innovative Factory. c2023 Heinz History Center (updated 15 Oct 2019; accessed 16 Oct 2023). Available from https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/blog/collection-spotlight-heinz-first-products-innovative-factory/

Ngozi A. How To Make Homemade Fire Cider (With Video!). The Herbal Academy. (updated 21 Dec 2016: accessed 16 Oct 2023).  Available from https://theherbalacademy.com/homemade-fire-cider/

Hoffmann D. The New Holistic Herbal. Element:Dorest. 1990. p. 207

Braun L, Cohen M. Herbs and natural supplements, 4th Ed. Sydney: Elsevier, 2015. p. 574

Jones L. A Working Herbal Dispensary. Aeon Books:Glasgow. 2023. p189-90