Bitter bittercress, also known as false watercress. It is a wild herb with a variety of uses and effects. It is also used as a medicinal plant in a variety of ways.
Occurrence and cultivation of the bitter bitter bittercress.
Bitter bittercress belongs to the cruciferous family and is a perennial plant. Bitter bittercress belongs to the cruciferous family and is a perennial plant. The plant is between ten and sixty centimeters tall and has an angular, woody stem. The leaves sprout from the root and form near the ground. The stems, which can grow through the winter, are also covered with leaves that usually settle on smaller stems. The leaflets do not form rosettes and have a rounded tip at the end. The flowers, which bloom between April and July, are white and arranged in clusters. The four white petals have reddish stamens in the center. The seeds of bitter bitter bittercress develop from the pods of the flower petals that have blossomed. The parts of the plant are collected throughout the year. However, mainly the leaves of bitter bitter bittercress are used. The bitter bittercress is native to Central Europe and Asia. It grows mainly in moist environments. Ditches and lightly shaded stream beds provide a cool, loamy, nutrient-rich soil. In montane environments is an increased occurrence and especially in the Bavarian Forest is the false watercress.
Effect and application
The use of bitter bitter bittercress is rather rare in herbal medicine. When used as a natural remedy, it is mainly used for spring fatigue and metabolic weakness. It stimulates the organism and has a diuretic effect. The high content of vitamin C regulates deficiency of this vitamin. For this reason, it was taken in the past to treat scurvy (vitamin deficiency disease). Other ingredients in bitter bitter bittercress are mustard oil and bitter substances. To stimulate digestion and metabolism, dried bitter bitter foamwort is drunk as a tea. The dried leaves are poured over with hot, no longer boiling water. After brewing for up to fifteen minutes, the tea is strained and drunk. This application is very rare and not common. The leaves of bitter bitter bittercress can be processed as a tincture for the treatment of rheumatism. In this case, the leaves are doused with alcohol and infuse in a sealed vessel for two weeks. From time to time the vessel should be shaken. After the infusion time, the tincture is filtered and bottled in dark vials to protect it from sunlight. Due to the mustard oil it contains, it is very effective for infections and inflammations, provided that the freshly harvested leaves are used. The bitter bittercress is also used in spring cures. Its stimulating effect accelerates metabolism and helps purification. The main use of bitter bitter bittercress is in wild cooking and is comparable to the use of true watercress. The slightly bitter tasting leaves are pleasantly spicy and slightly pungent. Freshly collected they come in combination with other wild herbs as a salad on the table. If the leaves are finely chopped, they can be mixed with cottage cheese and eaten as a spread. In breads, the foam herb is added as a seasoning. The leaves should be used sparingly, because too many at once cause too bitter a taste. Due to the bitter aftertaste, bitter bittercress is also often known as bitter cress. A bitter substance that predominantly contributes to the taste has not yet been closely examined.
Health significance, treatment and prevention.
In medicinal medicine, bitter bitter bittercress is not very common. The similarity with watercress is very high. For this reason, collectors should have sufficient knowledge and not entirely equate its use with that of watercress. Nevertheless, many teas contain the bitter bitter bittercress in small form. Care products in cosmetics also contain a proportion of bitter bittercress. In combination with watercress, it is found in hair care products and cures. Due to the high content of vitamin C, it is mainly contained in teas that have a preventive effect.If bitter bittercress is taken in too high a dose, mild stomach and intestinal complaints may occur in rare cases. It is not recommended for children under the age of four. Due to the irritation of the stomach lining and kidneys, bitter bittercress should also not be taken during pregnancy. The effect can lead to bleeding and, in the worst case, abortion. Due to the labor-stimulating effect, premature birth may occur. If leaves of the plant are collected, make sure that they are harvested from clean streams and graves. Picking the wild plant should be avoided on streams that are near a sheep pasture. Here there is a risk of ingesting a liver fluke into the organism. Consumption should be fresh, because after prolonged storage it loses vitamin C and withers very quickly. Bitter bittercress can be bought mostly in dried form or as a component of spices. The plant and the leaves themselves are rarely offered for sale, as transportation is very costly. When treating with bitter bitter bittercress, sufficient information should be available and this should be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.
