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Watercress (water pepper) Nasturtium officinale Botanical Classification watercress Family Brassicaceae Genus and specie Nasturtium officinale (synonym Rorippa nasturtium-qquaticum) Other names Water pepper. Description of the herb watercress kruie-produkte-ageless-herbal-products This water-loving herb contains a volatile mustard oil and has pungent tasting leaves. Tiny white flowers are produced. Parts used The leaves and shoots are used. Properties It is a pungent bitter herb, which helps to remove toxins, boosts digestion and has both diuretic and expectorant properties. It contains a fair amount of manganese, iodine, iron, and calcium, but the active principle is phenylethyl glucosinolate (gluconasturtiin). Therapeutic uses excess respiratory mucus Internal use It is used to reduce water retention, for wet coughs, bronchitis, skin eruptions, anemia, gall bladder complaints, as well as rheumatism. In very alternative health it is used to fight cancers brought on by cigarette smoking - such as lung, throat and mouth cancer, and although clinical trials may not have been done to validate this use, it may be an alternative to consider, as there are no side effects. This herb is great to add to salads or to sandwiches. External use Watercress is sometimes used as a solution for ulcers and in dental fluxions. The raw leaves are excellent strengtheners of the gums and relievers of toothache. The juice of the plant is used in dermatitis and acne. Watercress extract has invigorating and epithelisant properties and may be used in products for greasy skin. It also has great regulatory power over cutaneous moisture and so is incorporated in products for the bath as well as facial preparations. Apart from this, it is a great strengthener of the skin and is used in hair treatments to prevent hair loss. Aromatherapy and essential oil use None noted. Safety precautions and warnings cancers brought on by cigarette smoking Eating or using watercress from the wild is not recommended, due to uncontrolled pollution and the pathogenic organisms found in nature these days. The volatile element - glucosinolates - in the fresh herbs may irritate the eyes and mucus membranes if touched after handling the plant. |
