Watercress

Species Name: Nasturtium officinale R. Br. Fam. Brassicaceae

Also Known As: Rorippa naturtium-aquaticum, Brown Cress, Cress, Brooklime, Nasturtium, Indian Cress, and Berro.

The Watercress plant is a hardy aquatic or semi-aquatic perennial that is found around streams and open water.

Native to Europe and central Asia, it has been naturalized in many parts of the world. Watercress is one of the oldest know leaf vegetables, it is a member of the cabbage family, and is related to mustard.

Watercress thrives in slightly alkaline water; it is cultivated on a large scale, or in private gardens. Since the plant is semi-aquatic, it does well in hydroponic cultivation.

What is Watercress? The part of the watercress plant that is used is the fresh or dried above ground parts of the plants, or the leaves.

The plant can be eaten fresh, the dried herb added to food, or it can be infused as a tea. Watercress is seldom found as an extract or encapsulated.

Home Remedies Using Watercress:

Benefits of Watercress:

Watercress Constituents include the vitamins A, B3, C, and E, plus the minerals calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, and phosphorous. Its volatile oil is rich in nitrogen combined with some sulphur.

Historically watercress was used as both a food and a medicine by the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates. He used it in the treatment of coughs, congestion, and a stuffy nose. Watercress was specifically used for its antiscorbutic qualities, which means that it prevented scurvy.

When used in a salad, it is believed to promote appetite, and bruised leaves rubbed on the skin is a treatment for blemishes, acne, and spots.

Today Watercress is still used to treat sore throats, coughs, and a stuffy nose. However recent research has uncovered that it may prevent throat and lung cancer when watercress is eaten, not taken as a capsule supplement.

This is because watercress releases the cancer preventing compounds only if it is chewed. Other uses of watercress include:

  • Antioxidant
  • Blood Purifier
  • Bone and Joint Problems
  • Breathing Problems
  • Bronchitis
  • Cellular Regeneration
  • Cleansing
  • Colds
  • Detoxifying
  • Digestive Disorders
  • Diuretic
  • Gastrointestinal Disorders
  • Gingivitis
  • Goiter
  • Lethargy
  • Respiratory Congestion
  • Vascular Deficiencies
  • Vitamin Deficiencies

Research on Watercress has shown, "The results support the theory that consumption of watercress can be linked to a reduced risk of cancer via decreased damage to DNA and possible modulation of antioxidant status by increasing carotenoid concentrations."

Side Effects of Watercress:

Rare side effects of watercress can include gastrointestinal upset. Do not use watercress if you have peptic or duodenal ulcers or if you have nephritis.

The safety of watercress during pregnancy and for children under 4 has not been established.