The Watercress is growing in and at rivers and seas.
It doesn't only grow in summertime but also in the winter. Therefor you can find it in early spring and late autumn and enjoy the lots of vitamins, that the watercress is providing.
Its thick leaves look rather juicy, what shows that it can be used in salads. Salads and herbal fresh cheese are the main ways to use the watercress.
Used in this way it can help against spring tiredness
and lack of vitamins.
Medicinal Uses
- Stimulating
- Antibacterial
- Blood cleansing
- Diuretic
- Mucus-dissolvent
- Coughs
- Bronchitis
- Cold
- Strep throat
- Gingivitises
- Lack of Vitamin C
- Spring regimen
- Digestive weakness
- Lowering blood sugar
- Cystitis
- Kidney pelvic inflammation
- Rheumatism
- Gout
- Gall- and bladder stone problems
- Epilepsy
- Eczemas
- Itch
- Blemished skin
Information
| Used Parts: | Leaves |
| Substances: | Vitamin C, Antibiotics, Bitter essence, essential Oils |
| Time to collect: | Best: April and May Possible: All year long |
Methods
As the healing substances in the watercress get lost when dried,
the watercress is mainly used fresh.
The best use for the watercress is eaten as a spice in salads.
The substances in the watercress are rather aggressive, especially for the mucous membranes. Therefore you should only use small quantities of the watercress and not daily.
You can also use the watercress as fresh juice. Take up to one spoon full of this juice three times a day diluted in a glass of water.
Used in this gentle way the watercress can be stimulating and cleaning the blood.
It strengthens the digestive system and the kidneys.
Mucous in the breathing system will be dissolved.
|
Beware!
Don't use in pregnacy. |
Plant description
The watercress is at home in Europe.
It likes cool temperatures.
It grows at or in rivers and seas. Sometimes it is grown in water-bassins.
The perennial plant gets up to 70 cm long.
Its main stems grow roots everywhere.
The dark-green leaves are lobed and thick. The surface is shining.
Between June and September small white flowers are blossoming.