Watercress Herb Profile
Also known as
Nasturtium officinale, Rorippa naturtium-aquaticum, Brown Cress, Cress, Brooklime, Nasturtium and Berro.
Introduction
Watercress is a hardy perennial plant of marshes and streams lying over limestone around the world. Used as both food and medicine, watercress was used by the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.E.) for treating stuffy nose, coughs, and congestions. The botanical name for the plant comes from a Roman term meaning "twisted nose."
Constituents
Mustard oil glycosides, vitamins (A, B3, C, and E), and minerals (calcium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, and phosphorous).
Parts Used
Fresh or dried above ground parts of the plant.
Typical Preparations
Dried herb added to food (recommended), or infused as a tea. Very seldom found as an extract.
Summary
Watercress has long been used to treat sore throat and stuffy nose, but recent research suggests that it may have a much more vital use: preventing cancers of the throat and lungs in smokers. Diets that include watercress may help to inhibit the formation of 4- (methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl-1-butanone), or NNK. This chemical is a carcinogen present in tobacco that most likely contributes to the etiology of lung cancer, as well as of mouth and throat cancers. One thing you must know to use watercress in your cancer prevention diet is that the herb only releases the compounds that counteract the carcinogenic chemicals in tobacco smoke if the watercress is chewed. Taking a watercress capsule will not have the desired anti-cancer effect.
Precautions
The safety of watercress during pregnancy and for children under 4 has not been established. Do not use watercress if you have peptic or duodenal ulcers or if you have nephritis.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
