
- Garden cress is good for one’s blood, treat a child’s cough, can stimulate sexual desire, diminish scars and freckles, and take care of diarrhea.
- Garden cress is also used to treat inflammation, skin infections and acne, and it acts as a blood purifier, diuretic and expectorant.
- Seeds are given as a decoction or infusion in hiccup, dysentery, diarrhea, skin diseases and as a galactagogue.
Is garden cress good for health?
Health benefits of Garden Cress. This culinary and healing herb has a tangy, peppery taste similar to leaf mustard and watercress. Because of its distinctive flavor and high nutritional value, garden cress makes a tasty and healthy addition to salads and sandwiches.
What is rock cress used for?
The plants known as rock cress (Arabis species) are useful ornamentals grown in gardens for their small but numerous white, yellow, pink, or purplish flowers. Cress seedlings, as used in sandwiches and salads, come from white mustard (Brassica hirta or Sinapis alba).
What is watercress used for?
Fresh watercress is used as a salad green and sandwich filling. Common garden cress, or peppergrass ( Lepidium sativum ), a fast-growing, often weedy native of western Asia, is widely grown, especially in its curl-leaved form, and the seedlings are used as a garnish.
What can I do with garden cress?
The peppery herb makes a nutritious addition to soups, salads, or sandwiches. Try this today: If it’s difficult to find garden cress or its seeds in your location, try the similarly flavored, more popular leafy green called watercress. Was this article helpful?
See more

Is cress a Superfood?
We call our Upland Cress the King of all Superfood as it is the most nutrient-dense vegetable out there! And yes Upland and Watercress have the same flavour and nutrient density.
What are the health benefits of watercress?
Eating watercress can help support the health of your heart. Antioxidants (carotenoids in particular) have been linked to lower blood pressure, lower risk of heart disease, and even a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes.
How do you eat cress?
To enhance the taste, you can add a tsp of lemon jucie and enough water to it and enjoy it as a healthy drink. The best way to eat garden cress seeds is in the form of Halim drink. Moreover, there are other benefits of halim or aliv. The high fibre and protein in these seeds make them a wise choice for weight watchers.
Is cress same as watercress?
The biggest difference is that garden cress is grown rooted in soil, whilst watercress has floating roots that grow freely in natural spring water. Although they are similar in flavour, garden cress is a more delicate plant that doesn't provide the same crunch or punch as our super salad.
What are the side effects of eating watercress?
There are no known side effects of watercress at routine doses.
Is watercress good for liver?
Cruciferous vegetables (think: broccoli, cauliflower, kale, chard, mustard and collard greens, bok choy, watercress, horseradish, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts) support the liver's ability to detoxify the many less-than-healthy things we come into contact with (hello breathing, eating, and drinking) every day.
When can you eat cress?
Both the leaves and flowers of cress are edible, so you can cut and eat them as soon as your seedlings reach an inch tall and until they mature. You'll know your outdoor plants have reached maturity when they're around six inches tall and start to produce flowers.
Can you eat cress seeds raw?
Both the stems, seeds and leaves of garden cress are edible but only the stems and leaves can be eaten raw in salads or used for other culinary purposes. The seeds can be roasted or cooked before eating.
What happens if you eat cress seeds?
Good For Gut Health The abundance of fibre in Garden Cress seeds is a potent laxative that helps in relieving the symptoms of constipation and indigestion. Eating it regularly helps in regularizing the bowel movements. It can also be given to children mixed with water to treat colic issues.
What does cress taste like?
For those unfamiliar with this veg, cress is one of the oldest leafy greens us humans have eaten. It's a water or soil grown plant that's in the same family as mustard and cabbage, giving it a distinctly spicy, peppery, pungent flavor.
What do you do with water cress?
2:274:20Watercress 101 - Everything You Need To Know - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen I always eat the whole thing watercress is great both raw and cooked is delicious in a saladMoreThen I always eat the whole thing watercress is great both raw and cooked is delicious in a salad piled on top of a sandwich. And it loves to be sauteed. And makes a fantastic soup.
Is all cress edible?
All parts of the plant are edible and rich in vitamins, iron, and calcium.
Is it safe to eat watercress everyday?
You can eat watercress everyday and, as watercress is sold in all supermarkets, it's easy to get your nutritional top-up! Watercress (nasturtium officinale) is a superfood; we already know that watercress is rich in vitamins, containing over 50 vital vitamins and minerals.
Is watercress healthier than spinach?
Spinach is richer not only in vitamins but in minerals as well. Spinach has 15 times more iron, five times more zinc, and nearly four times more magnesium than watercress. Spinach is also richer in potassium, copper and contains higher levels of sodium.
How much watercress should you eat a day?
Eating just one cup of watercress a day would help a person meet their daily requirement of vitamin K. Watercress is also a good source of calcium, which further supports bone development and strength.
Is it safe to eat raw watercress?
Yes, absolutely – in fact watercress is best eaten raw. When the rest of us would be snacking on a biscuit, watercress growers are often seen wandering the farm chewing on fresh, uncooked watercress, and my, what a healthy bunch they are!
Why is watercress good for you?
Because watercress is high in phytochemicals, it may reduce your risk of developing certain types of cancer.
What is watercress packed with?
Watercress is packed with plant compounds called antioxidants that protect against cell damage caused by free radicals, which are harmful molecules that lead to oxidative stress.
How much watercress is good for vitamin K?
Additionally, one cup (34 grams) of watercress provides more than 100% of the RDI for vitamin K ( 3 ).
What are the nutrients in watercress?
One cup (34 grams) of watercress contains the following ( 3 ): 1 Calories: 4 2 Carbs: 0.4 grams 3 Protein: 0.8 grams 4 Fat: 0 grams 5 Fiber: 0.2 grams 6 Vitamin A: 22% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI) 7 Vitamin C: 24% of the RDI 8 Vitamin K: 106% of the RDI 9 Calcium: 4% of the RDI 10 Manganese: 4% of the RDI
How much vitamin C is in watercress?
Watercress contains 15 mg of vitamin C per cup (34 grams), which is 20% of the RDI for women and 17% for men ( 3 ). Vitamin C is renowned for its beneficial effects on immune health. Deficiency in vitamin C has been linked to decreased immune function and increased inflammation ( 27. Trusted Source.
How many flavonoids are in watercress?
One study on the antioxidant compounds in 12 different cruciferous vegetables found over 40 unique flavonoids, a type of plant chemical, in watercress ( 1 ).
How many grams of watercress are in a cup?
One cup (34 grams) of watercress contains the following ( 3 ):
How Healthy Is Cress?
Like all greenery, garden cress is generally considered healthy. In fact, the fine seedlings can contribute quite a bit to a healthy diet. In addition to a high content of fiber and protein, garden cress scores points above all with a thick portion of vitamin C (59 milligrams per 100 grams — almost 10 milligrams more than oranges or lemons!). Garden cress is also one of the front-runners in terms of vitamin A content (365 micrograms in 100 grams of cress), which is important for the skin and eyesight.
How long can you keep cress in the fridge?
Cress can be kept in the refrigerator for two or three days, provided you always keep it slightly moist. However, it is best to consume it when it's as fresh as possible, as this is when it contains the most vital substances.
When is cress in season?
Cress is in season all year round, but it is only available from March to September from outdoor cultivation. When the weather gets cold, cress is cultivated in a greenhouse.
Do you wash cress?
You don't need to wash home-grown garden cress , but it is better to rinse it under running water and let it drip dry. Cut off the delicate leaves with scissors instead of a knife, which can easily catch too many of the fine roots.
What is the purpose of garden cress?
7. Helps Treat Anemia. Garden cress consists of vitamin B6 which is required to create hemoglobin in the blood, that is transported by red blood cells throughout the body to help bring oxygen to cells and to mobilize iron.
What are cress shoots used for?
Cut cress shoots are commonly used in sandwiches with boiled eggs, mayonnaise and salt in the United Kingdom.
Why is garden cress good for lactating mothers?
Frequent Consumption of garden cress helps to encourage the mammary glands to start producing milk in lactating mothers. Due to this prevailing property of garden cress, new mothers are encouraged to eat food containing garden cress to facilitate milk production. Moreover, due to the high protein and iron contents of garden cress, it is ideally given post-partum to breastfeeding mothers.
What is garden cress?
Garden Cress consists of considerable amount of Vitamin A that neutralizes free radicals in the body that cause tissue and cellular damage. Vitamin A helps to prevent the cells from becoming overactive. When the immune system overreacts to food proteins, this causes food allergies and ultimately inflammation.
Where is garden cress native to?
Garden cress (Lepidium sativum) is also known as halim is an edible fast-growing herb which is native to Persia. Garden cress belongs to the cruciferous family and is linked to mustard, pepperwort pepper grass and watercress. Stems, seeds and leaves of garden cress are palatable but only the leaves and stems are eaten raw in salads or used ...
When does Garden Cress bloom?
Garden cress has white to pinkish flowers which is only 2 mm (1/12 of an inch) across, clustered in branched racemes and consists of both types of reproductive organs and is found blooming from June to August.
Does cress help with cardiovascular health?
Scientific research states that vitamin C help to keep cardiovascular system healthy, so adding garden cress in your diet may be a smart thing to do if you’re trying to improve your cardiovascular health.
Where does cress grow?
Common garden cress, or peppergrass ( Lepidium sativum ), a fast-growing, often weedy native of western Asia, is widely grown, especially in its curl-leaved form, and the seedlings are used as a garnish. Upland cress ( Barbarea verna ), a hardy biennial native to Europe, is a coarse, often weedy plant rarely cultivated.
What is a pennycress?
Pennycress ( Thlaspi species) includes a few species grown in rock gardens and one ( T. arvense) grown for its large, round ornamental seed pods. The plants known as rock cress ( Arabis species) are useful ornamentals grown in gardens for their small but numerous white, yellow, pink, or purplish flowers. Cress seedlings, as used in sandwiches and ...
Where is watercress native to?
Watercress, ( Nasturtium officinale ), perennial aquatic plant of the mustard family (Brassicaceae), native to Eurasia and naturalized throughout North America.
What is the name of the weed that grows in damp meadows?
The closely related winter cress, or yellow rocket ( B. vulgaris ), is a common weed, conspicuous in fields for its bright yellow spring flowers. Bitter cress, cuckoo flower, or meadow cress ( Cardamine pratensis ), of the Northern Hemisphere, grows in damp meadows and in bog gardens.
What is the use of cress in medicine?
In traditional medicine leaves, cress and seeds of the plant are used for asthma, cough, colds, constipation, anemia, and removal of unwanted odors in the body.
Why are cress seeds good for cancer?
Garden cress seeds are protective against cancer because they contain antioxidants that prevent the body from damaging free radicals.
Where does Garden Cress come from?
Garden cress seeds (Lepidium sativum) belong to the family of radish /ca bbage. Its homeland is Asia and North Africa.
Is cress good for breastfeeding?
Garden cress, which is good for chronic weakness, helps to weaken by accelerating metabolism. Garden cress se eds are a good regulator; also increases the amount of milk in breastfeeding mothers.
Where does watercress grow?
It likes hot climates and is ready to beat in a month. watercress herb that grows in almost every region in Turkey, and is known for her habburresad names and there are about 90 varieties.
Can you mix cress seeds with honey?
Garden cress seeds should be consumed by mixing with honey taken as an expectorant to treat cold, headache, asthma, sore throat and cough. It has feature of improving lung function.
Why do people use garden cress?
People use garden cress for coughs, vitamin C deficiency, constipation, tendency toward infection (poor immune system ), and fluid retention, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
What pills lower potassium levels?
Some "water pills" that can decrease potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide), and others.
Does garden cress lower blood pressure?
Low blood pressure (hypotension): Garden cress might lower blood pressure. There is some concern that garden cress might interfere with blood pressure control in people prone to low blood pressure.
Does Garden Cress cause low potassium?
Low potassium levels (hypokalemia): Garden cress might flush potassium out of the body, possibly leading to potassium levels that are too low.
Is garden cress safe for pregnant women?
Pregnancy and breast -feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if garden cress is safe to use as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick with food amounts. Diabetes: Garden cress might lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Therefore, blood sugar levels need to be monitored closely.
Is garden cress safe to eat?
Side Effects. When taken by mouth: Garden cress is LIKELY SAFE when used as food. However, there isn't enough reliable information to know if garden cress is safe to take as medicine. Large amounts might cause irritation of the intestines. Special Precautions and Warnings.
Does garden cress work?
Garden cress might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking garden cress might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
What is the benefit of watercress?
Watercress contains 1961 mcg of a beneficial compound called lutein. This lutein compound would be an advantage to stop the creation of coronary artery disease and heart attack. This lutein will protect your body from any heart disease by preventing the growth of dangerous arterial plaque. This watercress also contains a compound called zeaxanthin, which also essential to keep the health of your heart.
How to use watercress for skin?
You could use the watercress as skin lotion and apply it on your face by combining 1 tbsp of honey with 4 tbsp of watercress juice. Stored the mixture in the bottle and keep it in the refrigerator after you’re not using it. You can apply this healthy lotion twice per day, in the morning as well as in the evening.
Why does watercress taste bitter?
This compound is very essential to stimulate the body’s natural defense that protecting the cells in the body. Also, the lutein and beta carotene content in watercress are believed to be very helpful as anti-carcinogenic that prevents the growth of cancer cells.
Why is it important to take vitamin C?
The intake of Vitamin C in our body is very important to reducing the possibilities of having blood cell damage, repairing brain tissue, and any other diseases.
Where did watercress originate?
Watercress is originated from the Europe and Asia, and being used as a medical plant by ancient Persians because of its efficacy to improve the aphrodisiac effects on them, as well as improving the brain activity.
Does watercress help with cognitive function?
Maintain the Cognitive Function. The folate compound that contained in watercress would be very helpful to maintain the proper function of cognitive ability in the brain. There is a study that involving male participants aged between 50 up to 70, and they were given 80 mg of folate in regular basis.
Is watercress good for cardiovascular health?
Healthier Cardiovascular. Some studies also indicate that watercress could be very potent to prevent you from any disease associated with cardiovascular. Watercress is a perfect source of Vitamin C, which then can release antioxidant and will protect you from the tissue damage caused by oxidative stress.
What is watercress used for?
The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine. Watercress is used for short-term swelling ( inflammation) of the airways in the lungs (acute bronchitis ), flu, arthritis, baldness, constipation, sexual arousal, and many other conditions, but there's no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
What are the side effects of watercress?
Eczema ( atopic dermatitis ). Flu. Hair loss. Itchy skin infection caused by mites ( scabies ). Short-term swelling ( inflammation) of the airways in the lungs (acute bronchitis). Warts. Other conditions. More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of watercress for these uses. Side Effects.
Does watercress affect lithium?
Watercress might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic.". Taking watercress might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium.
Can you use watercress for ulcers?
Stomach or intestinal ulcers: Don't use watercress if you have stomach or intestinal ulcers.
Is watercress safe for breast feeding?
Pregnancy and breast -feeding: Watercress is LIKELY UNSAFE when used in medicinal amounts during pregnancy. It might start menstruation and cause a miscarriage. It's best to avoid use. There isn't enough reliable information to know if watercress is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Is watercress safe to take?
Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Does watercress help with chlorzoxazone?
The body breaks down chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte, Paraflex) to get rid of it. Watercress might decrease how quickly the body breaks down chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte, Paraflex). Taking watercress along with chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte, Paraflex) might increase the effects and side effects of chlorzoxazone (Parafon Forte, Paraflex).
