Aspen is a plant of the cabbage family with a spicy taste, which also includes broccoli. Drinking watercress can help protect against carcinogens and chemotherapy drugs.

The officinalis is a vegetable from the cabbage family. It has a pungent flavor and belongs to the broccoli, cauliflower and arugula family. The use of watercress is associated with various anticarcinogenic effects.

Drinking watercress can also stimulate antioxidant enzymes that reduce DNA damage. The officinalis is also an optimal source of lutein.

Aspen officinalis and other members of the cabbage family contain substances called isothiocyanates. Isothiocyanates include sulforaphane, diindolylmethane, and phenyl isothiocyanates (FITC). Compared to other plants of the cabbage family, watercress contains more FITC. These substances help the body to defend itself against various substances, including carcinogens. This is minimal human evidence to support these claims, but two human studies have found reductions in DNA damage in non-disease individuals after adding watercress to the diet.

Also Known As: Medicinal Nasturtium.

Not to be confused with nasturtium seeds (large nasturtium)

Is a food product

Watercress (Zherukha medicinal): instructions for use

The dosage of 85-100 g of watercress per day (dry weight of the plant) correlates with the overall apparent benefit. Additional research is needed to determine the optimal dosage and schedule.

Sources and composition

Sources

Zheruha officinalis is the most common name for the herb Nasturtium officinalis (Cabbage family), which is a widely used vegetable with a pungent taste. It is one of the many herbs used for scurvy due to its vitamin C content. Since it belongs to the Cabbage family, it is known as a cruciferous vegetable (like broccoli and cauliflower). The medicinal cannabis should not be confused with the seeds of nasturtium, which, despite the name of the genus, belong to the plant Nasturtium large (the widely used name is garden nasturtium). A vegetable of the same family as broccoli is widely used as a vegetable (usually in salads due to its leafy structure) with many similar properties and a pungent taste.

Composition

Aspen officinalis usually contains:

In addition, it was found that S- (N-β-phenylthiocarbomyl) glutathione is formed spontaneously during metabolism from other glucosinates in watercress and does not occur in nature. The concentration in this separate study was only 12.5 nmol and less than 1% of the total hydrolyzed β-phenyl-glucosinolate (minor metabolite). It can be formed from phenyl isothiocyanate, as this study notes that phenyl isothiocyanate was not detected in the tested extracts. In general, watercress has a biological effect similar to other plants in its family (Cabbage), although due to its gluconasturtin content, it contains a relatively high level of isothiocyanate known as phenyl isothiocyanate. The essential oil (volatile substance) includes:

myristicin (57.6% in leaves, not detected in stems and flowers);

α-terpinolene (8.9% in leaves, 15.2 and 19.7% in stems and flowers);

β-caryophyllene (13.1% in stems, 6.6% in flowers, 4.3% in leaves);

caryophylline oxide (37.2% in the stems, 6.7% in the flowers, 4.2% in the leaves);

p-cymene-8-ol (17.6% in stems, 7.6% in flowers, 3.1% in leaves);

neophytodien (1.6% in stems, 1.5% in flowers, 0.8% in leaves).

Essential oil is an unexpectedly optimal source (percentage) of myristicin, the hallucinogenic substance in nutmeg; however, the amount is insufficient to induce hallucinations. By weight, the essential oil is approximately 1.5% (stems), 1.2% (leaves) and 1.0% (flowers), in isolated form, the essential oil does not contain polyphenols and flavonoids. Watercress extract (water / alcohol 80:20) has a polyphenol content of 96.6 +/- 3.5 mg / g as a gallic acid equivalent (9.6%) and a total flavonoid content of 62.3 +/- 2.4 mg / g as catechol equivalent (6.2%; 64% phenols). Aspen is considered one of the most common sources of lutein (other than parsley and spinach), although tomatoes are the most common food source; the β-carotene content is also higher in watercress than in most of the tested vegetables, with the exception of carrots. When comparing the content of polyphenols in comparison with other vegetables of the Cabbage family, which have leaves (mizuna and arugula), the watercress has a higher content of phenols and vitamin C. Although the watercress can bioaccumulate metals, it is believed that it helps protect against them and plays the role of a phytoremediator in moderately polluted aquatic ecosystems.

Pharmacology

Blood serum

It was found that due to the content of gluconasturtin, the consumption of about an ounce of watercress is similar to the introduction of about 2-6 mg of phenylisothiocyanate into the human body; it was also noted that consumption of 80 g of watercress increases the content of phenylisothiocyanate in the blood serum to an average of 297 nmol (wide range 61 -656 nmol) at Tmax. usually 90-185 minutes, while consumption of 100 g of watercress increases the serum phenylisothiocyanate content to 928 nmol. The consumption of watercress can increase the level of phenyl isothiocyanate circulating in the blood, although the method of increasing is not reliable.

Cardiovascular health

Cholesterol

In rats with a hypercholesterolemic state, taking 500 mg / kg of watercress daily for 30 days, there was a decrease in triglycerides (43%), LDL (49%) and total cholesterol (37%) against the background of an increase in HDL (16%); a beneficial effect on liver enzymes was noted with a decrease in ALT (39%), AST (42%) and alkaline phosphatase (40%). These effects are considered to be due to the antioxidant properties of the plant, when using an aqueous-alcoholic extract in rats with a diet high in fat, oral administration of 500 mg / kg of this extract of watercress for 30 days showed a normalization of cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides with a slight increase in HDL with a similar beneficial effect on liver enzyme levels. Both studies suggest that the beneficial effect of watercress on lipoprotein content appears in the presence of liver metabolism, which is impaired in rats fed a diet high in fat and cholesterol. No human studies have been conducted to date.

Effect on oxidation

Mechanisms

The antioxidant potential of watercress is presented in a concentration-dependent manner in the prevention of lipid peroxidation (EC50 273.5 μg / ml, insufficient manifestation compared to catechin at 10.1 μg / ml), iron chelation (538.6 μg / ml, insufficient manifestation versus EDTA at 5 μg / ml), capture of free radicals of diphenylpicrylhydrazil (114.7 μg / ml, insufficient manifestation versus vitamin C at 3.5 μg / ml), inhibition of ABTS + (2.2 "-azinobis + ) (60.8 mcg / ml, underdevelopment versus trolox at 11.2 mcg / ml), nitric oxide inhibition (395.2 mcg / ml, the effect is somewhat comparable to catechin at 332.1 mcg / ml) and uptake of hydrogen peroxide (312.4 μg / ml, the effect is somewhat comparable to vitamin C at 106.2 μg / ml) Concentration of watercress for the alcoholic extract increases the potential of antioxidant properties, but is not sufficient to exceed the properties of reference drugs. Essential oil components la also have antioxidant properties, with properties in leaves (IC50 87.0 +/- 0.9 μg / ml) that have greater potential than stems and flowers in the diphenylpicrylhydrazil assay (but with lower potential than the reference drug butylhydroxytoluene at a concentration of 18.0 +/- 0.3 μg / ml). The substances in watercress are believed to have direct antioxidant properties, although they do not represent significant potential in in vitro studies when compared to reference preparations.

Genome damage

When supplemented with 0.5-1 g / kg of medicinal watercress was administered to rats for 15 days, the ability to cause damage to the genome was absent by definition, but some protection was noted against genotoxicity caused by cyclophosphamide when assessing histological changes in the bladder; the protective effect was also repeated in in vitro studies in a concentration-dependent manner. This DNA protection effect has been observed in vitro in other organs. May protect DNA from oxidative damage.

Impact

An increase in the antioxidant capacity of the blood was noted in rats with high cholesterol levels, taking 500 mg / kg of watercress daily for 30 days, when not only was the peroxidation of lipids in the liver normalized, followed by a decrease in the content of glutathione in the liver, but an improvement was also observed. exceeding the control level (in rats with a hypercholesterolemic state, taking watercress medicinal, a lower degree of lipid peroxidation and a higher content of glutathione were observed than in rats of the control group without a hypercholesterolemic state). Similar trends were observed for catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase. At 8 weeks of taking 85 g of watercress daily, an effect on antioxidant enzymes in the human body was noted, although the effect was noted only in erythrocytes (not leukocytes), and a slight increase in glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase was limited by the genotype GSMT1 * 0 (which had 44 out of 60 test subjects). This genotype is associated with a more significant anticarcinogenic effect of cruciferous vegetables, which is associated with a lower rate of isothiocyanate release and an increased period of circulation in the blood. In this study, it was noted that other genotypes tended to increase in glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase, but this increase was not statistically significant. These results were previously noted in healthy adults consuming 85 grams of watercress daily, and it was also noted that these results are more significant in smokers than in non-smokers. Two studies confirmed some biological activity with daily consumption of watercress in relation to antioxidant properties, one noted a decrease in the degree of DNA damage in lymphocytes (white blood cells), while the other noted the induction of antioxidant enzymes depending on the genotype.

Effects on metabolism in malignant tumors

Mechanisms

Glucosinolates are considered to have a chemoprotective effect through stage I and II modulation of enzymes (involved in bioactivation and drug release). Induction of quinone reductase with S- (N-β-phenylthiocarbomyl) glutathione was observed, although at a concentration 400 times higher than that found in food; 7-methylsulfinylheptyl and 8-methylsulfinylloctyl isothiocyanates were detected upon induction of a twofold amount of the enzyme at a concentration of 0.2 μM and 0.5 μM (similar to the potential of other sulfated isothiocyanates, including 4-methylsulfinylbutyl isothiocyanate (sulforaphane)). Probably induces quinone reductase with little biological activity with a potential similar to sulforaphane. It was previously noted that phenyl isothiocyanate inhibits a protein known as 4E-BP1, which may stimulate some anticarcinogenic activity (by suppressing HIF activity), and in vivo studies in women consuming 80 g of watercress, an increase in the level of phenyl isothiocyanate in serum up to 297 nM and suppression of 4E-BP1 phosphorylation in lymphocytes 6-8 hours after ingestion, although the degree of suppression was virtually insignificant. Probably inhibits 4E-BP1, which was observed in a small sample of people after oral ingestion of 80 g of watercress.

Interaction with other substances

Nicotine

Nicotine is a stimulant alkaloid primarily found in cigarettes and anti-smoking agents. It was found that the use of watercress increases the content of metabolites of 4- (methylnitrosoamino) -1- (3-pyridyl) -1-butanone and its glucuronide in urine. This is believed to be due to either increased glucuronidation or inhibition of CYP1A2 (aromatase). Consumption for three days of 56.8 g of watercress with each meal did not show significant changes in the content of nicotine and continin in the urine, which is probably due to the minimum level of inhibition of CYP2A6.

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List of used literature:

Jensen JK, et al. RNA-Seq analysis of developing nasturtium seeds (Tropaeolum majus): identification and characterization of an additional galactosyltransferase involved in xyloglucan biosynthesis. Mol Plant. (2012)

Rose P, et al. 7-Methylsulfinylheptyl and 8-methylsulfinyloctyl isothiocyanates from watercress are potent inducers of phase II enzymes. Carcinogenesis. (2000)

Nowadays, people are very biased towards traditional medicine, its advice, recipes, because we are civilized people, we have invented many medicines and treatment methods. Nature for us is just a place where you can spend time on weekends after hard days, and weeds in the country are terribly annoying, and everyone wants to get rid of them. Few people now think that herbs can heal without causing harm, and they are available to all of us. Watercress - have you heard of it?

If not, then it's time for you to find out the very necessary information, because the plant has a whole range of possibilities, and yes, someone considers it a malicious weed, but there are countries where grass is grown for exclusively medicinal purposes. In addition, its possibilities were discovered many centuries ago. We advise you to get acquainted with the watercress and you, you already see the photo.

Description of the plant and place of growth

First, it is worth noting that the grass has more than one beautiful name, perhaps you know watercress under the name of bruncress, spring or medicinal watercress, walker, lettuce, water horseradish. The family is cabbage, and there are eight other plant species in it. Habitats are very diverse, but everywhere the watercress will choose an area where there is a lot of moisture and water. At the same time, it grows like wild grass, and like domesticated among summer residents. Most often, you can find plantations in the mountains of the Caucasus and central Russia, Asia, a number of African countries, in the USA, South America and Europe, as well as on different islands.

To grow a plant like watercress at home, you need to create certain conditions and water is the main one. Most often they dug a moat half a meter deep, equip it with material so that water can be poured, and it does not leave, after which a watercress is settled here. You can create such a mini-garden even on the windowsill. In some countries, the plant is grown on a large scale, where there are entire plantations for further processing, by the way, watercress is used not only as a medicine for folk healers, but also in cooking recipes, for making spices, in cosmetology and so on.
If we describe a plant, then it looks like this.

• The herb is perennial.
• The stem grows to half a meter or a little more, it is dense, but hollow.
• There are shoots that hang down, which gives the weed, which many people undeservedly consider, a decorative look.
• It blooms with white flowers, collected in an umbrella, from May to late summer.
• The leaves have a pleasant green color and heart shape, their structure is dense.
• The herb is useful, while suitable for those who are overweight.
• An unpretentious plant, grows on different types of soil, in the shade, in the sun, grows quickly in the presence of water. If you plant watercress in ordinary soil, the grass changes shape, its beneficial properties are lost.
• The taste of the herb is spicy, tart, and has bitterness. For our person, the easiest way is to compare medicinal watercress with radish or traditional horseradish, which is why the plant is often used as a seasoning for various dishes.

It is interesting! Surprisingly, the watercress was treated indifferently for centuries, although it was highly valued in ancient Rome, also in medieval Europe, but it was recognized as a culture only in the 19th century.

The use of watercress in our lives

If we talk about the plant as a whole, then it is useful from roots to leaves and seeds, all parts are used for one purpose or another. Fresh leaves of grass are put as a spicy addition to meat, fish, soup, sauces, salad are prepared, used for preservation and marinade, a mixture of spices is made. You can prepare juice from green mass, which will have a number of beneficial effects on the body, more on them later. Of course, raw materials can be dried to make infusions, decoctions.

If we compare watercress with radish, then young growth, which is widely used in cooking, is most like it. The seeds can form the basis for a good oil, which can be used in place of mustard oil and has many health benefits. The root part of the plant is more a therapy for ailments, a raw material for traditional medicine.

For information! The roots are collected in autumn, after which they are cleaned, crushed and dried in an oven or dryer. For the aerial part, the maximum benefit from the plant is when it is fresh, not processed or dried.

Zherukha medicinal and its useful properties and contraindications

About the benefits

The herb has many different possibilities when it comes to ailments.

It is interesting! In many countries, watercress is known and appreciated, in Foggy Albion it is sold in supermarkets, festivals are held, and there is even the capital of the cress in the country - the city of Alresford. The plant was discovered by one gardener in 1808, who grew the plantation, and since then the grass has spread. There is a watercress capital in America.

Separately, we would like to tell you about the benefits of watercress juice:

• cleans and normalizes the circulatory system;
• very well helps with hemorrhoids, up to the removal of nodes, which can save from pathological processes, oncology;
• shown to everyone who suffers from anemia;
• helps to get out of bed after serious illnesses, that is, during periods of rehabilitation, juice will be a good addition to therapy;
• for the skin, juice is like a balm with a rejuvenating and cleansing effect. It can be drunk internally and used as a tonic for washing - acne disappears, scars become less noticeable, burns heal;
• has a beneficial effect on the condition of the kidneys and liver, joints. The use of watercress can relieve diseases such as pyelonephritis, jaundice, gout, rheumatism.

For information! Watercress juice can be mixed with other vegetable juices, so it will be even more healing and nutritious. For example, a cocktail is often made from cress juice, carrots, potatoes, and celery. The components can be used both together and as a recipe for yourself.

It turns out that weeds, which we can consider as malicious grass, can be useful to us. Very often, healers regret that we are so thoughtless in our plots, dachas, to the plants that we remove from the beds, throwing out dandelions, horsetail, knotweed and other herbs, each of which is unique in its own way and can heal. Also, many traditional healers believe that it is the grass, fruits, and trees that grows next to a person that he needs for treatment, in each region these are their own plants.

Advice! Want a great meat and fish seasoning to surprise your guests? Then mix watercress with rosemary and mint, making an unusual spice with your own hands.

About harm

Like many medicinal plants, medicinal watercress must be used for medicinal purposes only with the permission of a doctor and after examination, since there is a risk of exacerbation of diseases, and an overabundance of the plant may cause stomach problems. It is also impossible for all those who have an individual intolerance to certain plants, constituent components in them. It is impossible with reduced pressure, and excessive consumption can have a negative effect on the kidneys. Do not take therapy watercress while you are carrying or feeding your baby.

Recipes for all occasions

Most often, medicinal herbs are used for the preparation of infusions, decoctions and tinctures. In the case of our watercress, the recipes are:

• to make an infusion, you need to steam 1.5-2 tablespoons of fresh leaves in a liter of boiling water. After that, the infusion costs 2 hours, it is filtered and taken per day, 500 grams, pouring them in half in two doses. One liter is enough for two days;
• the broth is made using a water bath, in which a spoonful of leaves and color, combined with a glass of boiling water, are languishing for 30 minutes. The broth is taken after a meal, two tablespoons in the morning, at lunchtime, and in the evening;
• alcohol tincture is prepared on the basis of rhizomes 1: 5. Insist two weeks in the dark and cool. Then 30-40 drops are dripped into water with a volume of 50 grams, they are drunk at a time.

Now you understand that weeds are mostly useful plants, the watercress is perceived differently, but the essence is the same - it helps health, and the appearance will be more attractive.

All materials on the site are presented solely for informational purposes. Before using any means, a consultation with a doctor is MANDATORY!

- perennial aquatic herb. Stems creeping, thick, hollow, ribbed-furrowed, up to 50-60 cm in length, forms dense sod. Leaves are green, pinnately dissected, with wide petioles and 2-7 pairs of oblong or oval leaflets with a larger and more rounded ovoid apical leaflet.

Description of common watercress

The plant blooms with white small flowers with yellow anthers, collected in half-umbrellas. Sepals are the same, lagging behind. Petals with marigolds, oblong-obovate, white. Short stamens have one large horseshoe-shaped honey gland open outwards; there are no median glands. Blooms from April to June.

Fading away, forms a fruit - short, swollen, with convex valves, pod without veins with oblong, flat seeds. The seeds are arranged in two rows in each nest.

Grows in humid shaded areas, near water bodies. The plant grows wild in Africa, Asia and Europe. On the territory of the Russian Federation, it is found in Dagestan.

The composition of the common watercress

The plant contains iron, phosphorus, potassium, nitrogenous oils, vitamins A, B, C, O, E, K, glycoside gluconasturcin, senfolglycoside, phenylethylsenfol, saponins, alkaloids, 3-4% carbohydrates. The seeds contain 22-24% fatty oil; it contains oleic, linoleic, erucic, palmitic, stearic, linolenic acids.

Fresh leaves and fresh grass are used, less often the whole dried plant.

Use of common watercress

In folk medicine, it is used as an anti-febrile and sedative for nervous diseases, to cleanse and improve the condition of the blood, as an expectorant and diuretic, for fever and scurvy. The plant sap was used externally for burns, lipomas, warts, polyps; decoction - inside for diseases of the thyroid gland, liver, cholelithiasis and urolithiasis, anemia, skin diseases, rheumatism, gout, diabetes mellitus.

As a vegetable plant watercress was cultivated and used by the ancient Romans. The green leaves of the plant are used as a spice, the taste is tart and bitter, and the aroma is sharp, pleasant, akin to the aroma of horseradish. Seeds as a spice can replace mustard, they are used to obtain edible oil, which is close in quality to mustard. Indications for the inclusion of fresh watercress dishes in the diet are general weakness, metabolic disorders, constipation, skin diseases, nervousness, cough, lung diseases, rheumatism and gout, diseases of the gallbladder, liver, stomach, intestines, bladder and kidneys. However, you should be aware that excessive enthusiasm for watercress as a component of salads can lead to irritation of the gastric mucosa, and sometimes the kidneys.

Source: fitoapteka.org

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Watercress (common watercress) is an aquatic (less often semi-aquatic) plant of the Cabbage family. It has edible leaves that taste like lettuce with a little spicy gostinka.

Watercress: Botanical Description

Watercress is an aquatic or semi-aquatic creeping perennial with thick creeping stems that are hollow inside. Usually the length of the stem does not exceed 50-60 cm, but there are specimens and a length of about a meter.

Cirrus-dissected green leaves with large, wide petioles, change shape depending on the location. The lower leaves are lanceolate or oval, and the upper ones are rounded or ovoid.

In late spring and summer months, small flowers appear on the plant, collected in half-umbrellas. The white flowers are rounded and have white oblong petals.

After pollination, a short, swollen, inedible fruit with convex valves forms on the plant. Small, rounded seeds ripen in it, which can be used as seed for the next year.

The plant's creamy roots are quite long and powerful. When touched with the ground, adventitious roots are formed on the stem in 2 weeks.

Watercress: effects on the body

Watercress is a delicious and dietary plant, 100g of which contains only 11kcal. But watercress contains a lot of proteins and dietary fiber, which makes it an ideal product for weight loss.

In addition, watercress contains a lot of vitamins C and B6, which are needed for the normal functioning of the immune and digestive systems. It also contains potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, iron and phosphorus - trace elements necessary for metabolic processes in cells.

Watercress has choleretic, diuretic, restorative, expectorant properties. It is also used to lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

The constant use of watercress in food strengthens the immune system, tones the body, has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, normalizes metabolism and speeds up metabolism. When applied externally, it successfully helps to cope with skin diseases such as eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, as well as various infected wounds and burns.

Watercress: application

Watercress is grown as a garden crop. It is loved for its characteristic bitterness and is often used as a lettuce. It is also added to cold soups, marinades and sauces. However, watercress can only be eaten raw, since after heat treatment it gives a strong unpleasant bitterness.

In addition, the plant is used in folk medicine for the prevention and treatment of anemia, fever, urolithiasis, gout, diabetes mellitus, inflammation of the large intestine and gastric mucosa.

It is also used to fight liver diseases. The active substances in its composition contribute to the elimination of bile and toxins from the body.

In landscape design, it is used for landscaping the banks of rivers and ponds on the site.

Watercress: interesting facts

The birthplace of watercress is the island of Liberty - Cuba. However, now it can be found in the wild in Europe, North Africa, Central Asia, South and North America, as well as in Russia. The USA, England, France, Germany and Paraguay are engaged in the export of this salad vegetable.

- Nasturtium Officinale R. Br, another name Water cress. Belongs to the Cruciferous family - Brassicaeae (Cruciferae). Watercress herb - Nasturtii herba.

Other names are medicinal watercress.

Features

The apothecary watercress is a perennial plant with mostly recumbent shoots.

The plant reaches a length of 30-90 cm, forming dense sods.

Stems are ribbed-furrowed, hollow.

Leaves are odd-pinnate, fleshy, dark green in color. The upper ones are 5-9-lobed, the lower ones are trifoliate.
In an umbellate inflorescence, white flowers with yellow anthers are collected.

The plant blooms from April to June.

Habitat

It prefers to grow near clean springs with moderate temperatures, ditches, rivers and streams. Selects moist soils. It can be found near springs, in swamps, sometimes on crushed stone and rocky soils, on the foothills and on the plain.

Chemical composition

The plant contains such active elements: vitamins A, C, D, senfol-glycoside, gluconasturtin, bitterness, iodine, arsenic, iron, potassium, phenylethylsenfol.

Medicinal and useful properties

Zherukha is used as a medicinal plant in the form of salad and fresh juice. Usually this plant is mixed with nettle and dandelion leaves. The leaves must be fresh. You can also add young birch leaves if the patient has insufficient renal function.
This mixture is used as a medicine for metabolic disorders, disorders of the gallbladder and liver.

Also drugstore it is used to treat gout and rheumatic diseases.

Application

In folk medicine, mashed plant leaves with sugar or salad are used. This mixture is used for gout, rheumatism, lung diseases, cough, skin diseases, general weakness, metabolic disorders, constipation, diseases of the intestines, stomach, liver, gallbladder, kidneys and bladder.

You can use decoctions of roots, juice and infusion of fresh plants for ascites, scurvy, chronic catarrh of the upper respiratory tract, diabetes mellitus, colitis, cancer. Outwardly prescribed for warts and lipomas. The seeds are a great seasoning.

In Switzerland, Italy, France, Venezuela and Brazil, roots are considered the official raw material.

Collection and procurement

In the spring, fresh grass is plucked from the plants, but the plant can be harvested all year round. The herb is not dried, since it is used only in a fresh state. It is possible to make juice from a fresh plant. Canned watercress juice is produced by the pharmaceutical industry. The leaves of plants that have not yet blossomed are advised to be plucked for the spring course.

It is recommended to harvest the roots in autumn, even before the leaves wither. They are dried at a temperature of 40-45 ° C in dryers. It is best to make a tincture from the roots after collecting the raw materials. The seeds are harvested as they ripen. They can be used in tinctures or fresh.

Contraindications

Watercress should not be taken too often, as overuse may irritate the stomach and kidneys. You need to drink it only with water, do not exceed the dose.

Medicinal recipes from pharmacy watercress

To prepare the broth, you need to prepare 20 g of flowers and leaves (fresh), pour 250 ml of boiling water over them, insist for half an hour in a water bath (boiling), cool, without removing, 10 minutes, then filter.
Three times a day for 2 tbsp. l. take after eating.

To prepare the tincture, take 70% alcohol and fresh roots. Ratio: 1: 5. Within 15 days, the mixture is infused. Take: 50 ml of water and 30-40 drops for one dose. The dose can be increased, but gradually, up to 40-60 drops.

Fresh juice after meals is taken in 30 ml of water 30-60 drops 3-4 times a day.

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