Description of Japanese Wasabi Plant, its Culinary Uses, and ‎Medicinal Importance

Common Name: Wasabi

Scientific Name: Eutrema japonicum, or Japanese horseradish, belonging to the Brassicaceae family, order Brassicales, and class Angiosperms.

Description: The Japanese horseradish is a semi-aquatic perennial plant that grows to about 20-60 cm tall. Its large, round to kidney-shaped leaves are showy and attractive, borne on long petioles. The plants bear small clusters of white flowers with four petals arranged in a cross-shaped pattern.

The fruit is a dry mustard seed. The tender rhizomes can grow up to 3 cm in diameter.

Culinary Uses: Japanese horseradish is generally sold as rhizomes, stems, dried powder, or as a ready-to-use paste in tubes similar to toothpaste tubes.

When using Japanese horseradish in the form of fresh rhizomes or stalks, it should be finely grated before use. In some upscale restaurants, fresh wasabi paste is prepared upon request. The paste loses its flavor within 15 minutes if left uncovered after preparation. In sushi preparation, wasabi is typically placed between the fish and rice to preserve its flavor. Fresh wasabi leaves can be eaten raw and have a pungent flavor similar to wasabi stalks, but a common side effect of eating them raw is diarrhea. Peanuts, soybeans, or peas can be roasted or fried, then coated with wasabi powder mixed with sugar, salt, or oil and eaten as a crunchy snack. In Japan, this dish is called "wasabi beans."

Medical benefits: Japanese radish improves heart and circulatory health when consumed regularly and in reasonable amounts. It also has the ability to lower triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels in the body, thus protecting against heart attacks. This is due to its special antioxidants that help prevent platelet aggregation, which over time can lead to blood clots and thrombosis.

Japanese radish naturally helps improve respiratory health and protect against various diseases. Its pungent compounds help inhibit the action of certain molecules responsible for influenza and lung diseases. It also helps relieve sore throats and clear phlegm from the respiratory tract, which is especially important for those suffering from spring allergies, for example. When consumed regularly in reasonable amounts, wasabi may help prevent colon, stomach, and breast cancer due to its high levels of important antioxidants.

Wasabi helps alleviate any inflammation, problems, or irritation in the digestive system, and regular consumption may reduce the risk of leaky gut syndrome.

Wasabi has the ability to reduce joint swelling and inflammation, which may lessen the severity of symptoms associated with arthritis.