Iberis amara
From Wikiwel
Other Names : Rocket Candytuft, Annual candytuft, Wild candytuft, Bitter candytuft, Clown's mustard.
an annual member of the Iberis genus in the family Brassicaceae. The plant is gathered in the summer and can be dried for later use. The seeds are harvested when fully ripe. A common homeopathic remedy is made from the seeds.
Special Precautions of Iberis amara
It can cause side effects in some people, including nausea, diarrhea, and skin rashes.
Health Benefits and Uses of Iberis amara
Antiarrhythmic; Antiasthmatic; Antirheumatic; Antiscorbutic; Homeopathy.
- Little used in modern herbalism, rocket candytuft is a bitter-tasting tonic, aiding digestion and relieving wind and bloating.
- It is traditionally taken to treat gout, rheumatism and arthritis.
- All parts of the plant are antirheumatic and antiscorbutic.
- The seeds are considered very useful in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis and dropsy.
- The seeds are sometimes used as a source of mustard. Pungency of mustard develops when cold water is added to the ground-up seed - an enzyme (myrosin) acts on a glycoside (sinigrin) to produce a sulphur compound. The reaction takes 10 - 15 minutes. Mixing with hot water or vinegar, or adding salt, inhibits the enzyme and produces a mild bitter mustard.
- A common homeopathic remedy is made from the seeds.
