Cress plantation

 in time for Easter
our little project involving the boys

source The global Food Book

Quotting Global Food Book

Benefits of Garden Cress
1. Medicinal Properties
Both the leaves, stems and seeds of garden cress are used in preparing traditional medicine for example, the seeds are used as remedy for minimizing asthma symptoms as well as improves lung function in people suffering from asthma. Also garden cress can be used for treating patients suffering from bleeding piles.
2. Menstrual Cycle Regulation
The garden cress seeds contain phytochemicals that are similar to estrogen therefore consuming them helps to make irregular menstruation become more regular.
3. Indigestion
Garden cress seeds can be eaten to relieve the symptoms of constipation and indigestion.
4. Respiratory Infection Treatment
Garden cress seeds can be chewed or blended and mixed with honey, which is taken as an expectorant for treating cold, headache, asthma, sore throat and cough.
5. Iron Deficiency Treatment
Garden cress seeds are used for treating patients suffering from iron deficiency anemia. Consumption of these seeds help to boost the hemoglobin level over time.
6. Culinary Purposes
Garden cress is characterized by peppery, aromatic and tangy flavor. It can eaten raw in salads and sandwiches or used as herbs for food seasoning. The seeds can also be roasted with salt before eating.
7. Dermatological Treatment
Garden cress seeds can be blended with water and honey to form a thick paste that can be applied on skin to treat sunburn, irritated skins, dry skin and broken lips.
8. Hair Loss Treatment
Garden cress is an excellent source of protein and iron thus can be used for treating people suffering from hair loss.
9. Immunity Boost
Consumption of both garden cress stems, leaves and seeds helps to boost the immune system.
10. Milk Production
Consuming garden cress helps to stimulate the mammary glands to start producing milk in lactating mothers. Due to this powerful property of garden cress, new mothers are encouraged to eat food containing garden cress to facilitate milk production. Moreover, due to the high protein and iron contents of garden cress, it is ideally given post-partum to breastfeeding mothers.
11. Aphrodisiac
Consumption of garden cress greatly helps to improve and boost libido.
12. Gastrointestinal Treatment
Garden cress can be used as a laxative and purgative for patients suffering from constipation. Garden cress seeds can be blended and mixed with honey, which is used for treating diarrhoea and dysentery. Garden cress can be blended and infused with hot water, which is used for treating colic especially in children.
13. Anti-carcinogenic
Garden cress seeds have antioxidants that help to prevent free radicals from damaging the body cells. Due to this property, it can serve as a chemoprotective drugs for protecting the body from cancerous growths.
14. Nutritional Values of Garden Cress
Garden cress is an excellent source of folic acid, vitamins C, dietary fiber, iron, calcium, protein, vitamin A, folate and vitamin E. The seeds of garden cress are also highly nutritive and they contain ascorbic acid, tocopherol, folic acid, calcium, linoleic fatty acids, iron, beta-carotene and arachidic.
15. Memory Booster
Garden cress seeds contain arachidic fatty acid and linoleic acids thus can serve as a memory booster.

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