Mitterbuch - At Irene Hamburger, horseradish is used in a variety of ways.
Now the 62-year-old has written a little book about “nature's native antibiotic”.
Mitterbuch - Horseradish is used in a variety of ways at Irene Hamburger.
The 62-year-old uses the “native antibiotic of nature” not only in her own kitchen, but also when watering plants, in the event of health problems or even as food for small animals.
“The sharp root has a positive effect on the well-being of all living things,” the farmer from Mitterbuch is convinced.
Now the alternative practitioner for humans and animals has summarized her knowledge about horseradish and lactic acid bacteria in a book.
Hamburger has been familiar with horseradish as an important food and household item since childhood.
However, their great enthusiasm for the roots only broke out decades later.
With her husband Edi, she ran the pig farm in Mitterbuch until 2019, which has existed since 1950.
In 2003, the farmer tested for the first time how horseradish in the feed affects the health of the animals - with success.
Much less medicine and antibiotics have been needed for the pigs since the powder of the plant became a fixed component of food.
Irene Hambuger: A sought-after horseradish expert
Irene Hamburger went public with her knowledge a few years ago and has become a sought-after contact person across the country.
She regularly gives lectures and seminars.
With their company Futter- und Naturheilmittel Hamburger, which is run by their son Michael, they have been selling products from the horseradish cultivation company in Styria, which the animal healer visited in 2003, for over ten years.
In human naturopathy and in many animal species, Hamburger's positive horseradish experiences accumulated over the years.
She was asked again and again whether she could put her knowledge on paper, she says.
In science, horseradish and lactic acid bacteria (microorganisms) still receive little attention, explains the 62-year-old.
When the Hamburgers handed over the farm to their son Michael and the pig breeding was closed, the right time to write the book had finally come in autumn 2019.
Shortly before Christmas 2020, the 152-page work printed in Isen was ready.
In the twelve chapters Hamburger provides information about their own experiences in pig breeding, feedback from their customers and the scientific background.
Horseradish and lactic acid bacteria are a perfect combination for strengthening the immune system.
Horseradish, Medicinal Plant of the Year 2021, contains many healthy ingredients and minerals.
"The body absorbs vitamin C from a plant much more easily than artificially produced", explains the expert.
There are other positive effects on the metabolism and the mucous membranes of the intestines and liver.
Horseradish: Help with a stuffy nose, loss of appetite or insect bites
The naturopath even addresses Covid-19 in her book.
Even as a prophylaxis for this virus, taking horseradish could at least not do any harm.
"Those who have good physical defenses do not get Corona so easily and are less at risk," Hamburger is convinced.
In her work as a non-medical practitioner, Irene Hamburger often advises her customers to take horseradish.
In her reading she also reports on success stories.
The ingestion of their materials alleviated nasal congestion, loss of appetite in seniors, a blocked bowel or back pain, among other things.
The Mitterbucher is happy to say that horseradish has also helped with athlete's foot, irritated airways or insect bites.
The root plant also grows in its own fruit and vegetable garden for personal use.
According to Hamburger, it is "easy to care for and robust, needs little water and sprouts for several years".
It is usually harvested from September to February.
The hamburgers use horseradish in almost every soup, sauce or salad.
You like the slightly spicy note.
Liquid horseradish and microorganisms when watering flowers
The 62-year-old also printed some recipes in her reading (see below).
As you can also find out there, the animal healer also uses liquid horseradish and microorganisms when watering flowers: "This means the plants stay healthier and you have a longer yield." But the farmer also recommends powdered roots for many small and domestic animals or liquid form.
Not only cattle, laying hens or rabbits have already taken it successfully on her advice, but also carrier pigeons, dogs, fattening poultry, sheep, horses or even fish, she says.
With her work Hamburger would like to spread lost or unknown knowledge about the hot root: “Many buy ginger or turmeric, but unlike horseradish they are not native, and horseradish works at least as well.” Her own book was a great challenge for her , "But it turned out as I had imagined".
You can purchase her reading for 29 euros in her online shop (www.fnh-hamburger.de) or by e-mail at irene-hamburger@t-online.de.
Recipe tip: tomato and horseradish sauce
“Quick and quick and also really healthy” - this is how Irene Hamburger raves about her dishes, which she prepares with fresh horseradish.
One of the specialties in her book is her recipe for tomato and horseradish sauce.
Ingredients
: One kilogram of tomatoes, two to three green or yellow peppers, an apple, 50 g grated horseradish, an onion, a teaspoon of salt, two to three tablespoons of sugar or preserving sugar, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 1/8 liter of water.
Preparation
: Cut the ingredients into small pieces, bring the water to the boil.
Add all of the above ingredients.
Let the mixture cook for a good half an hour.
Then remove from the stove and puree.
Consumption
: Hamburger describes the sauce as a "healthy alternative to ketchup".
It can be eaten with french fries, spaghetti, boiled potatoes or baked potatoes.
If not everything is needed, the remaining sauce can be stored as a reserve in screw-top jars.
Then simply reheat it again.
Markus Ostermaier