Steve Wertz wrote:

> On Tue, 03 Jan 2006 02:30:29 GMT, "Joe"
> > wrote:
>
>
>>One of these days, I'll post a "real" message about my favorite Thai dish or
>>something... But in the meantime, does anyone know if Wasabi or that horse
>>radish "hot nasal flash" that you get is dangerous in any way? If someone
>>took a teaspoon of Wasabi straight, could it potentially harm them?
>
>
> Horseradish is toxic in large amounts. Like ... more than a
> pound. A teaspoon, no. Note that there's a root called wasabi,
> which is milder than American horseradish. The 'wasabi powder'
> you see in the asian stores is just dried horseradish root (even
> though it claims to be wasabi).
>
> For an asthmatic or someone with other respiratory problems, I can
> see that it might cause a problem. I was surprised to see them
> doing habanero shooters - one ounce of habanero puree on the
> [real] Fear Factor show. If that's 'safe' then horseradish is
> certainly no problem.

Crimenettely!!! one ounce? I had a thumbnail sized piece of a home grown
habanero and it burned intensely for 30 minutes despite any attempts to
dull the pain. I'm no wuss either, I like hot foods and peppers. These
were well grown baddies I later used the rest in cooking where the
intensity seems to be reduced.

> You should probably ask a doctor, though. I only play one on the
> Internet.

Thankyou doctor.

--
Dan