What is it used for?
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine to aid digestion [Source note 2].
(Traditionally) used in Herbal Medicine as a diuretic [Source note 3].
The above uses can be combined on the product label if from the same traditional or non-traditional system of medicine (e.g., Traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to aid digestion and as a diuretic).
For multi-ingredient products:
To prevent the product from being represented as a "traditional medicine", any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific active ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g., Horseradish is traditionally used in Herbal Medicine to aid digestion).
When ALL of the active ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required.
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years and older
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Acceptable dosage forms oral use are indicated in the dosage form drop-down list of the source’s list of accepted product forms.
Quantities
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract*, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)
2 - 20 grams of dried or fresh root, per day [Source note 4]
*Note: Solvents allowed for the method of preparation "Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract)" as part of this reference are ethanol and/or water only.
How is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
How long is it used?
Diuretic
For occasional use only [Source note 5]
Digestion
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Warnings and precautions
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are breastfeeding [Source note 6].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have hypothyroidism, excess stomach acid or acid reflux [Source note 7].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are taking thyroid medications or antacids (Brinker 2010; Barnes et al. 2007B; Mills 1985).
When should it be avoided?
Do not use if you are pregnant [Source note 8].
Do not use if you have a kidney or stomach disorder, or ulcers [Source note 9].
Possible side effects
All products except those making only a diuretic claim*
When using this product diuretic effect may occur.
*Note: This statement can be removed from the label if a diuretic claim is included.
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armoracia rusticana | Horseradish | Armoracia rusticana | Root |
|
References: Proper name: USDA 2024; Common name: Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Felter and Lloyd 1983; Source information: Barnes et al. 2007; Blumenthal et al. 2000; Grieve 1971; Wren 1907.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- March 27, 2026
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
Taking a medication too?
Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.