Pepperwort

Lepidium Sativum

Other Names : Lepidium Sativum, Garden Cress, mustard and cress, garden pepper cress, pepper grass, Watercress, Chandrashoor, Halim, Aliv, Halloon, Chandrika, Raktabija, Halim, Halim-shak, Chand Shura, Halim, Chansur, Allibija, Kapila, Chandasara, Chandasura
The leaves, roots, as well as seeds of this plant are used in cooking as they are extremely nutritious and also therapeutic in nature. The flowers of this plant are either white or light-pink in color.

Special Precautions of Pepperwort

Don't confuse with peppergrass (Lepidium virginicum)

Health Benefits and uses of Pepperwort

• Known as chandrashoor, and the seeds, known as aleev in Marathi, or halloon in India, are commonly used in the system of Ayurveda.
• To get relief from piles, asthma, whole garden cress plant is crushed and made into infusion. This infusion is taken twice a day.
• For cold and cough the paste of whole plant is taken after every four hours.
• For difficult urination, scanty urination, the decoction of whole plant is taken thrice a day.
• The seeds of Garden Cress plant are highly nutritious. They are rich source of proteins, Dietary fiber, minerals and essential amino acids. The seeds are strong antioxidant. They have anti-diabetic, cholesterol lowering, blood pressure lowering, anti-diarrheal, anti-spasmodic, laxative/bowel softening, fracture healing hepatoprotective/liver protective, diuretic, nephrocurative, nephroprtective, galactogogue, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic property. The seeds contain an alkaloid, glucotropaeolin, sinapin, sinapic acid, mucilaginous matter and uric acid. Due to their mucilageous property they give relief in irritation of mucous membrane in diarrhoea and amoebic dysentery. Traditionally Chandrashoor seeds are given to improve appetite and elimination of parasitic worms.
• The seeds are used in Arabic countries for improving healing of bone fractures. The seeds also exhibits liver protective and blood pressure lowering properties.
• The dried seed powder and leaves are used therapeutically for stimulating urine production, treating respiratory illness (asthma, bronchitis), rheumatism, inflammation, muscular pains and bone fractures. * In some parts of country, the seeds are boiled with milk given to cause abortion.
• Seed powder mixed with sugar/misri is given in diarrhoea and dysentery.
• The seeds are also useful in improving breast milk quantity. In skin diseases the seeds paste is applied externally.
• This herb is a good source of iron and is hence recommended in the treatment of iron-deficiency anemia.
• It is also rich in folate, calcium, ascorbic acid, tocopherol, and beta-carotene.
• Garden Cress seeds are loaded with not just protein, but also linoleic and arachidic fatty acids.
• Since they contain phytochemicals that mimic estrogen to some extent, intake of these seeds is known to regulate menstruation and stimulate milk production in lactating mothers. That is precisely why women are given foods containing Garden Cress following childbirth.
• Pepperwort is rich in sugars, protein, starches and essential nutrients (especially iodine and iron).
• It contains alkaloids, whole fibre, lipids, twenty amino acids (including arginine, serine, clycine, valine, histidine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid, etc.), beta-ecdysone, beta-sitosterol, hydrolyzable carbohydrates, fatty acids (including linolenic, palmitic and oleic acids), glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, iodine, phosphorus, potassium, iron, magnesium, zinc, calcium, steroid glycosides, saponins, sitosterols, stigmasterol, tannins, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B12 and vitamins C and E.
• The glucosinolates found in the root of the pepperwort help to combat serious invasive infection. They are the substances that are also found in other members of the Brassicaceae family (including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and other cruciferous vegetables) and are said to be particularly effective in building the body’s defences against serious malignant illnesses.
• used to treat anaemia, hypothyroidism, chronic fatigue syndrome and can enhance energy, stamina, athletic performance, memory, mental clarity and fertility.
• also useful to treat female hormone imbalance, menstrual problems and symptoms of menopause.
• used for weak bones (osteoporosis), depression, constipation, stomach cancer, leukaemia, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, erectile dysfunction, to arouse sexual desire and to boost the immune system.
• Norovirus : Source of Carvacrol