10 Incredible Health Benefits of the Cress Plant.

We often fail to understand the full composition of our daily food. In fact, you will be amazed to know that some of this daily food you eat have incredible health benefits like the cress plant. You may have seen this small power-packed plant in your salad and would have probably kept it aside on your plate. But this plant, Garden cress (Lepidium sativum Linn), a popular and healthy ingredient used for salads in different cuisines across the world is an ayurvedic herb that is loaded with some incredible health benefits for our body. 

Commonly called garden cress, peppergrass or pepperwort in the US, it is called Chandrashura in Sanskrit. It translates to that which makes people happy by providing strength, immunity, and nutrition. This is because the cress plant is an extremely nutrient-dense food packed with all the essential nutrients like iron, potassium, calcium, folic acid, amino acids, vitamins A, C, and K. All the parts of this plant including stem, leaves, and seeds have high nutritional value. 

Here are some of the incredible health benefits of the cress plant.

Garden cress for Indigestion– The leaves of garden cress are used as an appetizer and are very helpful in improving digestive strength. It acts as a binding agent and provides relief from stomach problems like gas and bloating.

Garden cress for respiratory problems: The cress plant is loaded with powerful antioxidants. that helps to remove excess mucus from the body and fights against various respiratory problems including cold, cough and asthma.

Garden cress for skin and hair: The seeds of this plant have antibacterial properties. It can be applied on the skin as a paste to treat dry skin, sunburn and skin irritations. The protein and iron content of the plant promotes hair growth and reduces hair loss.

Garden cress for increasing immunity:  The nutrient-dense property of this plant makes this a natural immunity booster. All the parts like stem, leaves, and seeds contain immunity-boosting nutrients.

Garden cress for sexual health: Cress plant is an excellent aphrodisiac. Consuming this plant regularly boosts libido in men and improves the quality and quantity of semen.

Garden cress for cell rejuvenation: Garden cress is a powerhouse of antioxidants. They help eliminate the harmful toxins from the body, rejuvenate the damaged blood cells and purify the blood.  

Garden cress for memory power: The seeds of garden cress contains linoleic acid and arachidic fatty acid. These are very essential for improving our memory power.

Garden cress for preventing cancer: Consuming garden cress regularly prevents free radicals from damaging the body cells. Hence it acts as an anti-carcinogenic drug and prevents cancerous growth in our body. 

Garden cress for lactating mothers: Garden cress helps stimulate the mammary glands and improves milk production in lactating mothers. Also, the high protein and nutrient content in the cress plant helps strengthen the body of mothers and improves stamina and immunity.

Garden cress for menstrual problems: This plant is very useful for women with menstruation-related problems. It helps to treat irregular menstruation, painful menstruation and purifies the uterus.

Although we come across this plant more often, the health benefits of the cress plant are often overlooked. Thus, including this amazing ayurvedic herb in your daily diet will help you lead a healthy and happy life.