The study also reported reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL (bad) cholesterol, alongside increased HDL (good) cholesterol ( 25). In a study in 50 rats given aluminum, this heavy metal significantly damaged liver and kidney function. Yet, the groups of rats receiving garden cress after or alongside aluminum saw their liver and kidney function restored to almost normal ( 14). Scatter the garden cress seeds over the soil or the paper towels. If you are using soil, press the seeds in lightly and sprinkle lightly with a little extra soil. Place the container or tray in a sunny indoor location, such as on a window sill.

Watercress (Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum) Watercress has tasty, pungent leaves for using raw or cooked in soups or sauces, and it also makes an attractive garnish. A member of the nasturtium family, it’s an aquatic plant that grows naturally in freshwater streams (not suitable for ponds). They can be eaten as baby or mature leaves.

When is my cress ready to eat?

Firstly, choose a suitable container to grow your cress in. ‘You could use a plastic container with damp paper towel, or even use an old cup filled with moist cotton wool,’ says Smith. Bear in mind, cress usually grows better in soil, so consider filling your tray with a light layer of compost. Alternatively, you can use a growing mat or felt. Cress ( Lepidium sativum), sometimes referred to as garden cress (or curly cress) to distinguish it from similar plants also referred to as cress (from old Germanic cresso which means sharp, spicy), is a rather fast-growing, edible herb. a b Hirsch, David P.. The Moosewood Restaurant kitchen garden: creative gardening for the adventurous cook. Ten Speed Press, 2020. ISBN 1-58008-666-7, ISBN 978-1-58008-666-0 The typical Western diet is higher in omega-6s than omega-3s, an imbalance that leads to chronic inflammation. In fact, diets rich in omega-6s may reduce the anti-inflammatory benefits of omega-3s ( 20, 21, 22). Usually when harvesting cress, you cut them close to the soil line. But if you leave half an inch on the seedlings when you cut them, then you may find that the cress regrows.

In a 4-week study, 82 women with prediabetes were given 1,000 mcg of vitamin K or a placebo daily. Those in the vitamin K group experienced improved insulin sensitivity and decreased blood sugar levels ( 26). If it’s the middle of winter and there’s nothing much going on in the vegetable garden, or you want some easy and ultra-fresh salad greens, or a rainy day project to help keep the kids occupied, then try growing mustard and cress!An alternative to the kitchen roll method is to sprinkle them onto the surface of a three-inch pot (or larger) full of damp compost. This is the way to go if you want to grow the little seedlings on further, as they'll soon need the nutrients in the soil to progress and will starve on kitchen roll. Growing grown-up cress It’s important that the growing medium doesn’t dry out, so to keep the moisture in cover the pot with a lid or plastic wrap. If it does need watering, use a spray. Put a layer of tissue in the bottom of the plastic tray, and make it damp. You can dribble water in, or use a plant mister, but you don’t want too much water – no puddles.

Your body also uses ALA and LA to make essential fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), though its ability to convert these fatty acids into EPA and DHA is low ( 18, 19). Garden cress seeds may promote heart health due to their balanced ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids.Cultivation of cress is practical both on mass scales and on the individual scale. Garden cress is suitable for hydroponic cultivation and thrives in slightly alkaline water. In many local markets, the demand for hydroponically grown cress can exceed available supply, partially because cress leaves are not suitable for distribution in dried form, so they can only be partially preserved. Consumers commonly acquire cress as seeds or (in Europe) from markets as boxes of young live shoots. [6]

Although the relationship between these fatty acids isn’t entirely understood, maintaining a healthy balance of omega-3s to omega-6s is crucial for reducing your risk of heart disease. This is due to the effects of this ratio on inflammation ( 20, 21, 22).ORGANIC INDIA, Organic Herbs - Garden Cress". Archived from the original on 2010-02-06 . Retrieved 2010-03-08. In a test-tube study, human liver cells preexposed to toxic hydrogen peroxide were then exposed to garden cress extract. The extract inhibited oxidative stress by 56% and prevented cell death by 48% ( 16). If you have the space, there is nothing to be lost by experimenting. If all fails, then it will only take a few days to grow a fresh new crop. Where does cress grow best? This is one of a series of articles on basic gardening that I have put together for those of you who are just starting out. There are more articles on gardening with children, and older readers may enjoy my articles on making your own mustard and growing oriental vegetables for autumn 🙂