The fresh root of Cochlearia Armoracia, cultivated in Britain, and most active in the autumn or early spring before the leaves have appeared.

Fig. 180. - Horse-radish, root, reduced to 1/4 the size.

Characters. - A long, cylindrical fleshy root, internally white. It has a pungent taste and smell. Aconite root, which has been mistaken for it, is short and conical, and has a numbing instead of a pungent taste.

Composition. - A volatile oil identical with that of black mustard is developed in it after it has been cut.

Preparation