The perennial plant watercress with creeping roots grows about 50 cm tall and can be harvested as well in winter. It therefore proves to be an optimal source of vitamins all year round. Watercress blossoms from May to July, and the herb can be collected in May and June. Small fleshy leaves form on the stem of the plant, which are harvested from the flowering plants.
Occurrence and cultivation of true watercress
Watercress grows in clear and cold water. If it is grown in the garden, it is necessary to pay attention to the water supply. Watercress belongs to the cruciferous family, has a fresh and slightly pungent taste. It originates from southeastern Europe and western Asia and was already popular with the Greeks and Romans. Nowadays, watercress is widespread all over the world. Watercress prefers sunny to semi-shady locations and likes to be found near streams, ponds and springs. Therefore, it is often referred to as watercress or stream cress. Watercress grows in clear and cold water. If it is grown in the garden, attention must be paid to the water supply. In addition, it is important to always use clean spring water to avoid pathogens in the watercress crop. The optimal solution is to dig a trench and fill it with slow-flowing water. In order to drain the cress and regulate the water level, it is necessary to have an inflow and outflow. Those who are afraid of the effort can also cultivate the watercress in moist and waterproof boxes, so that it can be grown on the balcony or in a small garden. In March, the seeds can be sown. Care must be taken in principle to the water supply.
Effect and application
With its roundish, fleshy leaves, watercress already looks very juicy. This indicates its valuable property as a salad plant. However, a teaspoonful of the fresh juice of true watercress can also be taken up to three times a day. This is done diluted with water. Watercress has many uses in the kitchen. With the watercress like to refine soups and salads. However, the use is recommended fresh, because the watercress as a spice, after drying or cooking almost no taste. However, since the active ingredients are pungent and therefore an irritation of the mucous membranes is possible, the watercress should not be consumed daily, but it is advisable to take breaks. The fresh, aromatic and slightly pungent taste results from the bitter substances and the mustard oils. Furthermore, it is often used to garnish sandwiches, steaks, cottage cheese, spinach, potato dishes or egg dishes. The advantage is that watercress is also a good source of vitamin C in late autumn and winter. It is also well suited for combining. With lemon, yogurt and spices, for example, it can be made into a delicious sauce. It is also ideal for decorating. Watercress should not be missing from a vitalizing spring diet. As a valuable source of vitamin C, it alleviates deficiency symptoms. Watercress is also used in cosmetics, for example in hair tonics to help with hair loss. Natural cosmetics manufacturers use the plant in shampoos. This is said to strengthen and vitalize the scalp. At the same time, sebum production is regulated. In a facial cleansing gel, the ingredients of watercress refresh the skin. It is cleansed and clarified. With the plant can be very easy to make yourself a curd mask: For this, the fresh watercress is cut, mixed with a little cream and curd, applied to the skin and left to act for 10 minutes before rinsing again with lukewarm water. This has a skin clarifying and refreshing effect.
Importance for health, treatment and prevention.
The watercress is well-tried as a medicinal plant. In ancient times it was already considered a panacea and in the Middle Ages it was used in monastic medicine. If the watercress is used for the various healing purposes, it should be collected just before flowering and then dried immediately. Since watercress has a pungent scent, this should be done separately and not with any other plants. The same applies to storage. In the first place, it stimulates the metabolism.In the form of wild salads or herbal curd, watercress can reduce spring fatigue and remedy vitamin deficiency. In addition, the plant is attributed blood purifying, antibacterial and expectorant properties. Watercress also has diuretic, appetizing and aphrodisiac effects. It is also used for colds, coughs, sore throats and gums, kidney and bladder problems, rheumatism, digestive problems, itching and minor burns. The juice of watercress refines the complexion and eliminates skin impurities such as pimples. Wrinkles are reduced, age spots and freckles are faded. For wrinkles, compresses with the juice are applied daily and covered with foil. The juice is made by squeezing the plant. A juicer can be used for this purpose. If the taste is not quite to your liking, you can add, for example, the juice of a carrot or tomato. Furthermore, the herb of watercress is used to treat bronchitis. It loosens congestion in the respiratory tract. However, it should not be used for stomach or intestinal ulcers and inflammatory kidney diseases. The same applies to children younger than 4 years old. Since illness is possible when eating a wild watercress, watercress should always be washed thoroughly or, preferably, only watercress from cultures should be used.