Mr Fothergills Mustard & Cress Seed (1)

Product Information

Cress grows best in moist soil. It requires plenty of sunlight for the seeds to germinate, so when growing indoors position it on a sunny windowsill.

Sprinkle cress seeds over the surface of the pot,’ says Chris Bonnett, owner of Gardening Express. Don’t be tempted to sow the seeds too densely, or the seedlings will be competing for space – keep to a light sprinkle.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. 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. If growing in soil, put the cress in a sieve and rinse thoroughly under running water before eating In a study in rats, those that ate garden cress had significantly reduced levels of fasting blood sugar and insulin resistance, compared with a control group. Both of these indicators suggest improved diabetes control ( 25).

All the same, keep in mind that specific studies on garden cress’s effects in people with diabetes aren’t available ( 27). Summary

Sign Up For Exclusive Special Offers

Garden cress, known as chandrashoor, and the seeds, known as aaliv or aleev in Marathi, or halloon [11] in India, are commonly used in the system of Ayurveda. [12] It is also known as asario in India [13] and the Middle East where it is prized as a medicinal herb, called habbat al hamra (literally red seeds) in Arabic. [14] In the Arabian Peninsula, the seeds are traditionally mixed with custard to make a hot drink. [15] Harvest your cress as soon as the seedlings are well developed, with a pair of green leaves fully open. Use scissors to snip off the cress close to the base In animal studies, ALA has been shown to reduce heart injury and heart cell death when there’s inadequate blood flow to the heart ( 23, 24). Garden cress is added to soups, sandwiches and salads for its tangy flavour. [7] It is also eaten as sprouts, and the fresh or dried seed pods can be used as a peppery seasoning ( haloon). [6] In the United Kingdom, cut cress shoots are commonly used in sandwiches with boiled eggs and mayonnaise. [8] [9] [10] Garden cress, raw Nutritional value per 100g (3.5oz)

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). For more information about the nutritional properties of cress, see Nutritional and Health Benefits of Garden Cress. 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 978-1-58008-666-0In 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.