Benefits of Garden cress seeds, side effects, properties and nutritional value

Botanical Name: Lepidium sativum L.
Family: Brassicaceae, Cruciferae
Common English names: cress, common cress, garden cress, land cress, pepper cress.

Despite the great advances of scientific medicine, traditional medicine still remains the primary form of disease treatment for the majority of people in developing countries, including India. It is obvious that the importance of herbal medicines has increased around the world. Remarkably, market demands for medicinal herbs remain high because many of the active ingredients in medicinal plants can not yet be synthetically prepared.

Cress seeds are known for their varied therapeutic properties and are prescribed in case of hiccups, diarrhea and also used as a tonic. They contain therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic activities.

For more information on cress seeds, read this article!

Nutritional value of cress seeds

Cress seed is an excellent source of folic acid, vitamin C, dietary fiber, iron, calcium, protein, vitamin A, folate, vitamin E, linoleic fatty acids, beta carotene and peanut .. cress seeds are also very nutritious.

Energy value of cress seeds

Energy 454 Kcal
Humidity (gm) 3
Protein (gm) 25
Fat (gm) 24
Minerals (gm) 6
Fibers (gm) 8
Carbs (gm) 33
Calcium (mg) 377
Phosphorus (mg) 723
Iron (mg) 100

Chemical composition of cress seeds (%)

Nutritional compounds                        % Nutritional value

Water                                                                2.88 ± 0.1
Crude fat                                                          23.19 ± 0.2
Crude protein                                                   24.19 ± 0.5
Raw fiber                                                         11.9 ± 0.4
Ash                                                                   7.1 ± 0.1
Total carbohydrates                                         30.74 ± 1.2

Percentage composition of amino acids in cress seeds

Amino acids                                               Percentage

Isoleucine                                                          4.19
Leucine                                                              7.03
Lysine                                                                5.98
Methionine                                                         0.51
Phenylaniline                                                      5.39
Threonine                                                           3.76
Tryptophan                                                         0.92
Valine                                                                 6.21
Arginine                                                              3.44
Histidine                                                              3.87
Alanine                                                                4.59
Aspartic acid                                                       12.07
Cystine                                                                0.21
Glutamic acid                                                     24.29
Glycine                                                                5.08
Proline                                                                 4.63
Serine                                                                  4.18
Tyrosine                                                               2.88

Mineral content in garden cress seeds

Minerals                                                        mg / 100 g

Calcium                                                              266.35
Copper                                                                   5.73
Iron                                                                        8.31
Magnesium                                                          339.23
Manganese                                                              2.00
Phosphorus                                                          608.63
Potassium                                                          1236.51
Sodium                                                                  19.65
Zinc                                                                         6.99

Benefits of cress seeds

1. Asthma and hemorrhages

The leaves, stems and seeds of cress were used in traditional medicine. For example, seeds were used as a remedy to minimize the symptoms of asthma and to improve lung function in people with asthma. Although asthma is a kind of disease that can not be completely cured, the symptoms of asthma can be reduced by eating cress seeds that contain an active compound improving the lung function of asthmatic patients.

Cress can also be used to treat patients with haemorrhagic bleeding.

2. Regulation of the menstrual cycle

Cress seeds contain phytochemicals that are similar to estrogen. So the consumption of cress seeds helps to regulate irregular menstruation. Women with a problem with their menstrual cycle are advised to consume seeds of cress.

3. Indigestion and constipation

Cress seeds can be eaten to relieve the symptoms of constipation and indigestion.

One of the amazing things about eating cress seeds is its ability to cope with constipation. Make sure you eat it regularly to help improve digestion and treat constipation.

4. Treatment of respiratory infections

Cress seeds can be chewed or mixed with honey, and used as an expectorant to treat colds, headaches, asthma, sore throats and coughs.

When you suffer from mild cold, sore throat or cough, just chew a pinch of cress seeds to reduce the symptoms.

5. Treatment of iron and HGB deficiency

Cress seeds are used to treat patients with iron deficiency anemia. Consumption of these seeds helps to increase hemoglobin levels over time.

The iron content of cress seeds is quite high and one of the health benefits of iron is the optimization of red blood cell production.

As mentioned in the previous point, the iron content helps to improve the production of red blood cells. In other words, it helps to treat all the health problems caused by iron deficiency and one of them is anemia.

6. Culinary objectives

Cress is characterized by a peppery, aromatic and tangy flavor. It can be eaten raw in salads and sandwiches or used as herbs for food seasoning. Before eating, the seeds can also be roasted with salt.

7. Skin and dermatological treatment

Cress seeds can be mixed with water and honey to form a thick paste that can be applied to the skin to treat sunburn, irritated skin, dry skin and chapped lips.

Certain conditions such as sunburn will not be fatal, but they are not easy to treat. It is possible to turn the cress seed into a paste and use it on the sunburn zone to soothe them. It is applicable for dry and chapped lips.

8. Treat hair loss

Cress and its seeds is an excellent source of protein. It is also rich in minerals such as potassium, manganese and iron. It can therefore be used to treat people suffering from hair loss.

You can eat cress seeds or use them as a hair paste to help prevent hair loss.

9. Strengthens immunity

The consumption of stems, leaves and seeds of cress helps to stimulate the immune system.

All parts of cress are able to boost immunity in a natural way, including seeds. Seeds can improve immunity by reducing the level of stress that can negatively affect immunity.

10. Milk production: Recommended for the mother during breastfeeding

The consumption of cress and cress helps stimulate the mammary glands to produce milk for nursing mothers. Because of this powerful property of cress, new mothers are encouraged to eat foods containing cress seeds to facilitate milk production. In addition, because of its high levels of protein and iron, it is recommended that they be given to nursing mothers after delivery.

11. Aphrodisiac

The consumption of cress seeds helps to improve and stimulate the libido.

12. Treats gastrointestinal diseases

The cress seed can be used as a laxative and purgative for patients with constipation. cress seeds can be mixed with honey, which is used to treat diarrhea and dysentery. Cress can be mixed and infused with warm water to treat colic especially in children.

13. Anti-carcinogenic; Excellent source of powerful antioxidants

Cress seeds contain antioxidants that help prevent free radicals from damaging the body's cells. Among the powerful antioxidants found in cress seeds are vitamin A and vitamin E. They are not only able to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, but also reduce the side effects of chemotherapy.

Because of this property, cress can serve as chemoprotective drugs to protect the body against cancerous tumors.

14. Stimulates memory

Cress seeds contain arachidic fatty acid and linoleic acids which can serve as a reminder of memory. The combination of these organic compounds is an excellent reminder of memory.

15. Excellent for weight loss

Do you want to know the natural solution to weight loss? Simply mix cress seeds with water and drink it in the morning when your stomach is still empty. It's such an effective and natural way to lose weight.

16. Improves vision

Cress seeds are an excellent source of vitamin A and beta-carotene. Some of the health benefits of beta-carotene and vitamin A are that they are excellent for vision.

Scientific studies on cress seeds

Anti-inflammatory properties

Leaves and cress seeds have an anti-inflammatory effect that helps reduce inflammation and rheumatic pain.

Treat bone fractures

According to several scientific studies and clinical observations, cress seeds can be used to treat bone fractures and strengthen bones.

Hepatoprotective properties

The extracts of cress seeds have demonstrated hepatoprotective properties against CCl4-induced liver injury. They also contain antioxidant properties to combat the formation of free radicals from CCl4, which is the main trigger for hepatotoxicity.

Antihypertensive properties

In scientific experiments, hypertensive rats consumed the aqueous extract of cress seeds. The results showed that the cress seed extract contains antihypertensive and diuretic properties.

Antimicrobial properties

The antimicrobial activity of the cress seeds was tested using the Agar well diffusion method. The plant extract is prepared using a petroleum ether solvent.

The experiments showed that the cress extract, under the appropriate conditions, inhibited the growth of the bacteria tested (Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, etc.).

Anti-diabetic properties

Studies have shown that cress seeds contain hypoglycemic properties independent of insulin secretion.

Chemoprotective properties

Cress has also been studied for its chemoprotective properties with respect to genotoxic effects and the reduction of colonic lesions.

Treat bronchial asthma

Clinical experience has been performed on patients in the range of 15-80 years with mild to moderate asthma. The patients had only cress extract without any previous medication. The results showed that cress extract can treat bronchial asthma.

Production and composition of milk

In one of the studies that were conducted to evaluate the effect of cress on milk, dried plant extract and brown mustard seeds were incorporated into ewes' drinking water. The effects of these herbs on the chemical composition, nutritional properties and milk yield were analyzed. As a result, cress and brown mustard improved milk quality by improving its composition.

Laxative properties

The cress seed contains a mucilaginous material which consists of a mixture of cellulose (18.3%) and uronic acid containing polysaccharides which, in the presence of water in the gastrointestinal tract, swell. The size of the cellulose micelle chain and the proportion of hydrated polyuronides determine the extent of dispersion of the mucilaginous material.

Side effects and harms of cress seeds

1. Diuretic properties

The cress seed contains diuretic properties, so patients with frequent water and urine passage should be careful when using this plant.

2. Abortive properties

The cress seed is abortive in nature, so able to induce abortion in pregnant women if taken in excess. Pregnant women should refrain from eating cress as it tends to induce uterine contractions and abortion. Cress seeds can increase uterine contraction, so some people use it to induce labor in later stages of pregnancy.

3. Goitrogenic properties

The cress seed contains goitrogens, which are substances that disrupt the proper functioning of the thyroid gland.

Precautions

• Cress seeds are not recommended for those who have problems with their urinary tract because garden cress seeds can worsen the condition because of their diuretic properties.
• Although cress seeds are strongly recommended for the mother during breastfeeding, but the mother during pregnancy should better avoid this tasty green leaf with whole leaves. This is because cress seeds contain abortive properties that could increase uterine contraction that could lead to abortion.
• Cress seeds also contain goitrogenic properties that may interfere with the absorption of iodine when consumed in excessive amounts.

Unlike cress leaves and stems, which are best eaten fresh and raw, cress seeds can be easily stored after being sun-dried or roasted. From the list of health benefits of cress seeds mentioned above, you certainly can not throw away the cress seeds.

Conclusion

Cress seeds have a bitter taste. They have thermogenic, depurative, rubéfiant, tonic, aphrodisiac, ophthalmic, antiscorbutic, antihistaminic and diuretic properties. They should be included in the daily menu. They should also be included in the menu of those who suffer from physical exhaustion.

Excessive consumption is not recommended because it has strong diuretic properties.

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov : Effect of Garden Cress Seeds Powder and Its Alcoholic Extract on the Metabolic Activity of CYP2D6 and CYP3A4
[2] https://www.menswelfare.com : Top 11 Garden Cress Seeds Benefits
[3] https://drhealthbenefits.com : 17 Health Benefits of Garden Cress Seeds – Tiny Veggies with Big Benefits