Is Wasabi the best Natural Antibiotic?
For many, wasabi is known as a spicy condiment typically for meats and sandwiches, but it also has a number of medicinal benefits. Nutritionally, it is low in calories, and a serving contains about 17 to 20% of the daily Vitamin C recommendation. It also contains potassium, folate, calcium, and has small amounts of B-complex vitamins.
Wasabi contains volatile oils that are similar to those found in mustard. These include glucosinolates (mustard oil glycosides), and sinigrin, which yield allyl isothiocyanate when broken down in the stomach. In test tubes, the volatile oils in wasabi have demonstrated antibiotic properties, which may account for its effectiveness in treating throat and upper respiratory tract infections. These antibiotic properties are one of the reasons you’ll find wasabi as an ingredient in many supplement formula.
At levels attainable in human urine after taking the volatile oil of wasabi, the oil has been shown to kill bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections, as was validated in one early trial.
In addition to providing antibiotic benefits, the glucosinolates in wasabi has cancer fighting properties as well. There has been some promise shown in helping detoxify cancer-causing chemicals in the liver and possibly slowing the growth of cancerous tumors. In laboratory experiments published in the “European Journal of Nutrition,” the compounds were shown to change cellular activity and stop cancer cells from dividing and causing them to die.
Wasabi is also a stimulant that quickens and excites the body. It can energize the body, helping it to marshal its defenses against invading viruses. In addition, wasabi can help carry blood to all parts of the body. And it is a diaphoretic and thus helps raise the temperature of the body, which increases the activity of the body’s immune system.
If that’s not enough, wasabi may also be helpful in treating or relieving symptoms for:
Bronchitis
Sinusitis
Edema
Achy joints and muscles.
Gout
Gallbladder disorders.
Sciatic nerve pain.
Colic
Intestinal worms
Coughs and asthma
Spots and blemishes on the skin
Indigestion and putrefaction in the digestive tract
Wasabi should always be used fresh if possible, as it loses its potency and medicinal effects if it stands too long after being grated. However, grating it, mixing it with apple cider vinegar, and storing it in an airtight container in the refrigerator will prolong its freshness. The next best thing if you can’t get fresh Wasabi is to use Freeze-dried 100% Pure Wasabia japonica rhizome powder and make it into a paste.