Watercress
|
Botanical Name |
Rorippa nasturtium aquaticum |
|
Family |
Mustard/Cabbage |
|
Habitat |
Around water |
|
Description |
Hardy hairless aquatic perennial. Shiny, rounded leaves on fleshy stems. 30-60cm/1-2ft. Tiny white flowers followed by long seed pods May – October |
|
Native to |
Europe |
|
Cultivation |
Rich sandy soil in clean running water |
|
Harvesting |
Do not pick from stagnant or slow moving water. Pick older plants |
|
Actions |
Diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic |
|
Constituents |
Gluconasturtine, bitters, iodine, vitamin C |
|
Nutritional |
Iron, vitamin C |
|
Traditional Uses |
Scurvy |
|
Culinary Uses |
Salads, boiled |
|
Skin |
Chilblains |
|
Respiratory |
Asthma, bronchitis |
|
Genito-urinary |
Water retention |
|
Nervous system |
Nervousness |
|
Other Notes |
Its generic name means “distortion of the nose” |
|
Caution |
Can contain Liver fluke larvae if picked from unclean water |