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Watercress | | Name : | Watercress | | Botanical : | Nasturtium officinale | | Synonyms : | Scurvygrass
Tallnasturtium
| | Family : | Cruciferae | | Parts Used : | Leaves, roots, young shoots | | Habitat : | Native to Europe and naturalized in the United States and some partsof Canada. It thrives in clear, running, cold water and is found inditches, springs, and streams everywhere. Widely cultivated for usein salads. | | Description : | A hardy perennial found in abundance near springs and open running watercourses, of a creeping habit with smooth, shining, brownish-green, pinnatifid leaves and ovate, heart-shaped leaflets, the terminal one being larger than the rest. Flowers small and white, produced towards the extremity of the branches in a sort of terminal panicle.
The true nasturtium or Indian Cress cultivated in gardens as a creeper has brilliant orange-red flowers and produces the seeds which serve as a substitute for capers in pickles.
The poisonous Marshwort or 'Fool's Cress' is often mistaken for Watercress, with which it is sometimes found growing. It may readily be distinguished by its hemlock-like white flowers, and when out of flower, by its finely toothed and somewhat pointed leaves, much longer than those of the watercress and of a paler green. The Latin name 'Nasturtium' is derived from the words nasus tortus (a convulsed nose) on account of its pungency. | | Constituents : | A sulpho-nitrogenous oil, iodine iron, phosphates, potash, with other mineral salts, bitter extract and water. Its volatile oil rich in nitrogen combined with some sulphur in the sulpho-cyanide of allyl. | | Uses : | Watercress is particularly valuable for its antiscorbutic qualities and has been used as such from the earliest times. As a salad it promotes appetite. Culpepper says that the leaves bruised or the juice will free the face from blotches, spots and blemishes, when applied as a lotion. | | Dosage : | Watercress must be used fresh.
Infusion: use 1 tsp. young shoots in 1/2 cup water. Take 1/2cup, freshly made, 3 times a day. To maintain the greatest possiblevitamin content, do not steep a long time or allow to boil.
Juice: take 1 tsp. in milk or water, 3 times a day. Freshwatercress juice is easily obtained with an electric vegetable juicer. | | Safety : | Do not harvest leaves from polluted waters. Poisonings have resultedfrom eating leaves from plants growing in polluted waters, from whichthe plant has absorbed heavy metals and toxins.
Excessive or prolonged use can lead to stomach upset and kidney problems.It should not be taken daily and no longer than 4 weeks even withinterruptions. The juice should not be taken undiluted, because itcan produce inflammations in the throat and stomach. Some doctorscaution against use during pregnancy. | | Myths : | Watercress is high in favor with nutritional advisors to the armedforces for soups and salads for the energy it produces. Good for dieters,has low carbohydrate content and more iron than spinach. Fed to childrenwith weak bones and soft teeth because it contains lime high in sulphurcontent. Given in tablet form for eczema.
The Greeks referred to watercress as a 'wit-producing food.' | | Nutrient : | Iodine, niacin, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, sodium, iron, calcium,vitamins A, B1, B2, C and E and zinc. | | Sold : | Fresh plant in grocery |
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