Commonly known as Pepper Grass, Garden Cress, Halim, or Asalia. I chose to use this plants Latin Name firstly because there are other species of plants using the name "pepper grass" and "cress".
This plant is a mucilage-containing edible and healing herb whose various parts (roots, leaves and seeds) have been used to treat various human ailments.
Ways to Eat:
Young leaves can be enjoyed raw or cooked, which have a hot cress-like flavor and makes for an excellent addition to a salad, sandwich, or soup. The Root, though rather small and woody, can be used as a condiment, which has a hot pungent flavor. The fresh or dried seedpods can be used as a pungent seasoning. The seed can be eaten raw, added as a spice to any dish. Beverages can also be made from the seed and is common in middle eastern cuisine. In addition, the seeds can be sprouted (using relatively low light until the shoots are a few centimeters long) and then be used in salads. The sprouts generally take about 7 days to be ready and have a pleasant and hot flavor. An edible oil can also be obtained from the seed.
Medicinal properties of garden cress (Lepidium sativum) have been recognized for centuries and has been a part of human diet since the antique times.
Here are some of the Reported Health Benefits:
Provides Cardiovascular Benefits
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. Recent evidence suggests that CRP levels (C-reactive protein levels) are a virtuous measure of a person’s heart disease risk, potentially even better than cholesterol levels.
Furthermore, garden cress is amplified with vitamin K, another important nutrient which is supposed to play a main role in maintaining cardiovascular health. Simply by adding just half an ounce of garden cress to your salad you’ll be covering nearly 100% of the Daily Value of vitamin K!
Beneficial 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.
Fights Inflammation
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. Vitamin A intake can help to reduce the risk of certain types of food allergies because it helps to prevent this dangerous overreaction. Reduced levels of inflammation are connected with a lower risk for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
Preventing Osteoporosis
Manganese supplements present in Garden cress are linked to reduce osteoporosis as well as osteoarthritis syndrome because it is an essential mineral which is proven to add to bone density and overall mineral density. Raw garden Cress consists of 0.276 mg of Manganese which is 12% of the daily recommended value.
Protects the Nervous System
Vitamin B2 which is found sufficiently in Garden Cress can help in treating numerous nervous system problems like Alzheimer’s disease, numbness, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and anxiety, among others. It is thought that vitamin B2 (riboflavin), when used together with vitamin B6, is effective in dealing with painful symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
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. When someone doesn’t make sufficient red blood cells, it may result in Anemia leading to symptoms like fatigue, aches and pains, and more. Research shows that consuming amply of vitamin B6 can help lower symptoms of anemia and prevent it from occurring in some instances.
Other claimed uses:
Garden cress is also used to treat inflammation, skin infections and acne, and it acts as a blood purifier, diuretic and expectorant.
Seeds can be given as a decoction or infusion in hiccup, dysentery, diarrhea, skin diseases and as a galactagogue.
Warnings:
It contains goitrogens that stop iodine absorption in thyroids and therefore can lead to hypothyroidism.
If large quantities of garden cress are consumed, the mustard oil it contains may result in digestive difficulties in some people who are sensitive to it.
This herb should be avoided during pregnancy because it can cause uterine contractions, which can induce abortion.
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