Garden cress

Other Names

AadaaluAalivAaliv seedsAashaaliAhaleevaAhalivAhlivaAlavi beejaAliAlianAlivAliviraiAlli BeejaAllibeejaArabis chinensisAsaliAsalikaAsalimaAsalioAsaliyoAshalikaAsheliyoBhadraCardamon sativumChamsurChandrashoorChandrashuraChandrasurChandrasuraChandrikaChansurChantrukCharmahantriCommon cressCrescione di giardinoCrescione ingleseCressCresson alénoisCresson de jardinCressonnetteCrucifera nasturtiumCurly cressGarden pepper cressGarden peppergrassGarden pepperwortGardencress pepperweedGartenkresseHab el RashaadHabburshadHalaeHaleyanHalimHalim shaakHalim shakHalimaHalonKaraviKardamoKresseKurtige gidaLepia sativaLepidium hortenseLepidium obovatumLepidium sativumLepidium spinescensLepidoMastuerzoMustard and cressNandiniNasturtium crispumNasturtium hortenseNasturtium sativumNasturtium spinescensPashumehanakarikaPepper grassPeppergrassPepperwortPoor man's pepperRaktabijaRaktarajiRashad mazrouaSalad cressShifuSipandanTara tezakTejakThlaspi nasturtiumThlaspi sativumThlaspidium sativumThufaTongue cressTongue-grassTown cressTuinkers

Synopsis

Garden Cress (Lepidium sativum L.)

1. Identity: Botanical Classification, Names, and Forms

Taxonomy and Botanical Description

Lepidium sativum is an annual, fast-growing edible herbaceous plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family, and therefore has properties very much similar to mustard and watercress. This fast-growing plant grows up to a height of 50 cm and has small, white to pinkish flowers. Its leaves are pinnate, small, and bright green, arranged alternately or opposite to each other. The flowers are bisexual with white petals, and the inflorescence is in racemes. The fruits are circularly flattened and pale green siliquae, each siliquae having two seeds.

The garden cress seeds are small, pointed, oval-shaped, triangular at one end, smooth, about 3–4 mm long and 1–2 mm broad, reddish-brown in color. When immersed in water, the seed coat swells and becomes covered with a clear, colorless mucus that has a slimy taste.

Common Names and Synonyms

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum), sometimes referred to as curly cress, is derived from Old English cresse. In some regions it is known as garden pepper grass, pepper cress, pepperwort, or poor man's pepper. In India it is known as chandrashoor, with seeds called aaliv or aleev in Marathi, or halloon; it is also called asario in India and the Middle East, where it is prized as a medicinal herb and known as habbat al hamra (literally "red seeds") in Arabic. In Ethiopia, it is locally called "Feto." Other regional names in India include aadalu (Telugu), candriki (Assamese), chand shura (Sanskrit), chansur (Hindi), halim (Urdu and Bengali), and allivirai (Tamil), among others.

The plant has also historically appeared under synonyms including Thlaspi sativum and Thlaspidium sativum, reflecting older botanical classification systems.

Geographic Origin and Cultivation

Lepidium sativum is an annual, herbaceous edible plant botanically related to mustard and watercress, native to Egypt and Southwest Asia, and now cultivated in India, North America, and parts of Europe. Garden cress is grown throughout the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. All parts of the garden cress plant, including seeds, leaves, and roots, hold significant economic value, although it is primarily cultivated for its seeds.

Common Preparations and Forms

People consume it in the form of salad, sprouts, and spicy seasoning, and the oil extracted from their seeds is used for seasoning. Seeds have been used as a galactagogue and abortive agent, to treat sore throat, headache, cough, asthma, malaria, syphilis, and impotence. A seed paste prepared in water is used for skin problems and sunburns, while the mucus of seeds is used against diarrhoea and irritation of the intestines in dysentery, and germinating seeds are used for constipation. In the Arabian Peninsula, the seeds are traditionally mixed with custard to make a hot drink. In Ethiopia, seeds are consumed in a special preparation known as "Feto Fitfit," a mixture of ground seed powder, water, salt, lemon, and pieces of injera, used to relieve backache and cure diarrhea.

2. Traditional and Historical Use

Indian Subcontinent: Ayurveda and Vedic Medicine

Garden cress has been considered an important nutritional and medicinal plant in India since the Vedic era (approximately 500–1700 B.C.). In Ayurveda, the indigenous medicinal system, it is described as hot, bitter, and galactagogue, and is claimed to destroy vata (air) and kapha (phlegm). It finds a place in folklore medicine, Ayurveda, Unani, and other indigenous systems of medicine.

In the traditional system of Indian medicine, various parts of the plant have been used to treat a wide range of human ailments such as diarrhea, dysentery, leprosy, skin and eye diseases, leucorrhoea, scurvy, liver diseases, renal diseases, dyspepsia, asthma, cough, cold, and seminal weakness. The plant is also considered bitter, diuretic, tonic, abortifacient, aphrodisiac, thermogenic, galactagogue, emmenagogue, depurative, and ophthalmic.

Middle East and Arabian Peninsula

The Lepidium sativum plant and seeds are well known in the community of Saudi Arabia and some other Arabic countries as a good mediator for fracture healing in the human skeleton. L. sativum is also used to treat throat diseases, asthma, headache, uterine tumors, nasal polyps, breast cancer, jaundice, liver problems, spleen and gastrointestinal disorders, and bone fracture healing.

Ethiopia and East Africa

In Ethiopia, seeds are consumed in a traditional preparation to relieve backache and to cure diarrhea, abdominal pain, dysentery, and parasitic worm infestation. It is also used as a food supplement in the human diet because it contains vitamins and minerals such as iron and calcium.

General Folk Medicine

Garden cress is widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of hyperactive airways disorders such as asthma, bronchitis, and cough. Seeds are considered to be galactagogue, emmenagogue, and recommended in inflammation, bronchitis, muscular pain, and rheumatism. The leaves of L. sativum are described as diuretic and mildly stimulant, and are used in liver problems and scorbutic diseases. Seeds have been used to treat many disorders such as asthma, uterine tumors, ulcers, colds, wounds, skin problems, irregular menstrual cycles, sciatica, and ethmoidal polyps because of their nutritional and antioxidant activity.

3. Nutritional Composition

Garden cress is a highly nutritious plant that contains a significant amount of both macro- and micronutrients. Its seeds contain good quality protein and essential fatty acids, while the leaves comprise minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc.

100 g of garden cress seeds provide approximately 445 kcal of energy, 24.11 g protein, 24.12 g fat, and 9.01 g fiber. In addition, garden cress seeds provide calcium (320.45 mg/100 g), magnesium (353.87 mg/100 g), phosphorus (619.82 mg/100 g), potassium (1,141.67 mg/100 g), and iron (11.70 mg/100 g).

According to scientific research, garden cress seeds have 80–85% endosperm, 12–17% seed coat, and 2–3% embryo. The percentages of leucine (8.21 g/100 g) and valine (8.04 g/100 g) in the essential amino acid section are the highest, while methionine (0.97 g/100 g) is the lowest. For non-essential amino acids, the ratio of glutamic acid (19.33 g/100 g) is high, while proline (2.69 g/100 g) is present in lesser amounts.

Garden cress seeds contain 20–25% yellowish, semi-drying oil. Garden cress oil is high in α-linolenic acid, an essential omega-3 fatty acid. The seed oil contains 24% oil, composed mainly of α-linolenic acid (ALA) at 32% and linolenic acid (LA) at 12%. This oil is relatively stable owing to its high content of antioxidants and phytosterols.

Garden cress oil contains 1,422 ppm gamma-tocopherol, 356 ppm delta-tocopherol, 21 ppm alpha-tocopherol, and a small amount of beta-tocopherol. A study comparing garden cress with different potassium-sourced foods found that garden cress has a higher potassium content than dates (696 mg/100 g), white beans (561 mg/100 g), spinach (558 mg/100 g), avocado (485 mg/100 g), and banana (358 mg/100 g).

4. Key Phytochemical Constituents and Mechanisms of Action

Primary Classes of Bioactive Compounds

Phytochemical analysis of Lepidium sativum showed that it contains cardiac glycosides, alkaloids, phenolics, flavonoids, cardiotonic glycosides, coumarins, glucosinolates, carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids, mucilage, resins, saponins, sterols, tannins, volatile oils, triterpenes, sinapic acid, and uric acid.

It also contains a wide range of bioactive components, including kaempferol glucuronide, gallic acid, protocatechuic acid, coumaric acid, caffeic acid, terpenes, and glucosinolates.

Glucosinolates

The pharmaceutical effects of Lepidium sativum are substantially attributed to glucosinolates, the major compounds in plants of the Brassicaceae family. The analyses of the chemical composition of L. sativum extract revealed the presence of five glucosinolates in seeds (glucotropaeolin and 2-phenyl ethyl glucosinolate) and fresh herb (glucotropaeolin, methyl glucosinolate, 2-ethyl butyl glucosinolate, and butyl glucosinolate). Glucotropaeolin has been reported as the principal glucosinolate and gluconasturtiin has also been identified in the seeds of L. sativum.

Glucosinolates such as glucotropaeolin were identified in both seeds and fresh herb extracts. These compounds are linked to the plant's purported antitumor and antimicrobial activities, forming isothiocyanates through enzymatic hydrolysis.

Alkaloids

The major components of the alkaloid fraction of L. sativum are lepidine and semilepidine, a rare group of imidazole alkaloids. These alkaloids have been investigated specifically for antidiabetic potential in preclinical models (discussed further below). Seeds also contain sinapine, an alkaloid of the hydroxycinnamic acid class.

Phytosterols and Fatty Acids

The chemical composition of L. sativum seeds illustrates that they contain high levels of proteins, fatty acids (oleic and linolenic acids), crude fiber including lignans, essential minerals (potassium, phosphorus, calcium, and iron), phytosterols (sitosterol, campesterol, and avenasterol), carotenoids, alkaloids (lepidine, N,N'-dibenzylthiourea, N,N'-dibenzyl urea, sinapine), hydroxycinnamic acids (sinapic acid), glucosinolates (glucotropaeolin and 2-phenyl ethyl glucosinolate), riboflavin, ascorbic acid, and tocopherols.

Mucilage

The seed coat of germinating seeds contains much mucilage, which has an allelopathic substance, lepidimoide. The effects of the germinating seeds were studied to determine the potential for slowing down the hydrolysis of starch to glucose in diabetic persons.

Key Mechanisms of Action

Levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, nitric oxide (NO), iNOS, and HO-1 have been found reduced in preclinical studies, indicating that L. sativum has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Flavonoids, alkaloids, cyanogenic glycosides, tannins, glucosinolates, sterols, and triterpenes are the key chemical components that contribute to these anti-inflammatory effects.

In peritoneal neutrophils, L. sativum reduced oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals, as evidenced by a drop in superoxide anion and an increase in glutathione.

The L. sativum alkaloid fraction has potential antidiabetic effects. The possible mechanism by which the total seed alkaloid extract brings about its anti-hyperglycaemic action may be by potentiation of pancreatic secretion of insulin from the remaining islet β-cells.

L. sativum leaves show antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects due to the presence of sulforaphane, glucosinolate, and flavonol compounds.

The seed oil of L. sativum has coagulating, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

5. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

The overall evidence base for Lepidium sativum as a therapeutic agent is largely preclinical. Preclinical studies (in vitro and in vivo) have displayed anticancer, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, gastrointestinal, and fracture/bone healing activities, and support the clinical importance of plant-derived bioactive compounds. Screening of literature suggests that L. sativum species and their bioactive compounds may be a significant source for new drug compounds. Further clinical trials are needed to effectively assess the actual potential of the species and its bioactive compounds.

5.1 Respiratory System: Asthma and Bronchospasm

One clinical investigation was designed to determine the efficacy and safety of L. sativum in patients with bronchial asthma. L. sativum seed powder was given at a dose of 1 g three times per day orally to 30 patients of either sex in the age range of 15–80 years with mild to moderate bronchial asthma, without any concurrent medication. Respiratory functions (FVC, FEV₁, FEF 25–75%, and MVV) were assessed using a spirometer prior to and after 4 weeks of treatment. Efficacy in improving clinical symptoms and severity of asthmatic attacks was also evaluated. Four weeks of treatment showed statistically significant improvement in various parameters of pulmonary functions in asthmatic subjects, and significant improvement was also observed in clinical symptoms and severity of asthmatic attacks. None of the patients showed any adverse effect with L. sativum.

Evidence strength: This represents the primary published human clinical trial for respiratory use. The study is small (n=30), uncontrolled, and without a placebo arm. Results are promising but cannot be considered conclusive without further randomized, controlled trials.

5.2 Bone Fracture Healing

The Lepidium sativum plant and seeds are well known in the community of Saudi Arabia and some Arabic countries as a mediator for fracture healing. There is no scientific proof for this phenomenon in humans, except positive observations noted by traditional medicine practitioners. These clinical observations prompted a laboratory study inducing fractures in the midshaft of the left femur of six adult New Zealand White rabbits.

In a rat study, the methanolic group was administered with the methanolic extract of Lepidium sativum seeds at a dose of 400 mg/kg given orally post-fracture, and the third group received the aqueous extract at a dose of 550 mg/kg orally for a period of 8 weeks. Results were evaluated both radiologically and biochemically. X-rays were done on day 0, at 2 weeks, and at 4 weeks post-fracture to look for callus formation, and serum levels for calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase were evaluated at multiple time points. The methanolic group had significant callus formation starting at the 2nd week post-fracture.

Evidence strength: The bone fracture healing evidence is based entirely on animal models (rabbit and rat studies) and traditional community observations. No peer-reviewed, controlled human clinical trials have been published establishing efficacy for fracture healing in humans.

5.3 Antidiabetic / Blood Glucose Regulation

Family Cruciferae Lepidium sativum has been used in traditional and folklore medicine for the treatment of bronchial asthma, diabetes, local and rheumatic pain. The antidiabetic efficacy of L. sativum Seed Total Alkaloid (LSTA) was investigated. The major components of this alkaloid fraction are lepidine and semilepidine. The antidiabetic profile of LSTA at doses of 50, 150, and 250 mg/kg (i.p.) was assessed on alloxan-induced diabetic rats over 21 days of continuous treatment. LSTA at 250 mg/kg dose significantly (p<0.001) suppressed blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, and urea level in diabetic rats, revealing potent hypoglycemic activity.

The seed coat of germinating seeds contains lepidimoide, which was studied for potential in slowing the hydrolysis of starch to glucose in diabetic persons. The seeds significantly lowered the glycaemic response to a test meal.

Evidence strength: The antidiabetic evidence is primarily from animal (rodent) models and in vitro studies. The glycaemic response study is preliminary. No large-scale, randomized controlled human clinical trials have established efficacy for blood glucose management.

5.4 Anti-Inflammatory, Analgesic, and Antipyretic Effects

An ethanolic extract of L. sativum seeds was studied for anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic activities in rodents. The extract significantly inhibited carrageenan-induced paw edema and reduced yeast-induced hyperpyrexia. It also prolonged the reaction time of mice on the hot plate. However, the extract exacerbated indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal damage.

In a review covering literature up to February 2022, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, NO, iNOS, and HO-1 levels were found to be reduced in studies of L. sativum, indicating anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.

Evidence strength: Evidence for anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic effects is based on preclinical (animal) and in vitro studies. No controlled human clinical trials exist in this area.

5.5 Antimicrobial Activity

Ethanol extract of Lepidium sativum was tested against MDR bacteria including S. aureus, S. pyogenes, E. coli, P. aeruginosa, and K. pneumoniae. MBC and MIC values of the ethanol extract of L. sativum were identical for certain strains, and the ethanol extract produced the greatest inhibition zone (15.5 mm) in certain conditions.

Evidence strength: Antimicrobial evidence is based on in vitro microbiological assays only. No clinical human trials have validated antimicrobial efficacy.

5.6 Hypolipidemic and Cardiovascular Effects

Previously, Lepidium sativum has been reported to have hypoglycemic, kidney and liver protective effects, as well as hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic properties. It has also been reported to exhibit antihypertensive and diuretic pharmacological properties.

Antihypertensive effects were studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2005), and diuretic activity was evaluated in aqueous and methanol extracts of L. sativum in rats. Both are preclinical models.

Evidence strength: Weak, based entirely on animal studies. Human clinical data for cardiovascular or antihypertensive effects are lacking.

5.7 Hepatoprotective Effects

Preclinical studies (in vitro and in vivo) have displayed hepatoprotective activities of L. sativum. Studies have examined the effect of seed extracts on liver damage induced by toxic agents (D-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide and monosodium glutamate) in animal models. These studies reported protective effects on liver tissue markers.

Evidence strength: Hepatoprotective data is preclinical only.

5.8 Galactagogue (Lactation Support)

Authors of one review concluded that garden cress seeds are most probably a real galactagogue and might be useful in induction of lactation. The seeds are rich in protein, fat, calcium, and iron and are considered to be galactagogue, anticarcinogenic, antidiabetic, antiasthmatic, and antidiarrheal.

Evidence strength: The galactagogue claim is based largely on traditional use and preliminary research. Controlled human trials confirming efficacy and dose for lactation induction are absent from the peer-reviewed literature.

5.9 Anticancer Activity

L. sativum and its extracts have been described to possess numerous biological activities including anticancer effects in in vivo and in vitro studies. The glucosinolate-derived isothiocyanates, particularly benzyl isothiocyanate (from glucotropaeolin), are understood to have chemopreventive potential in line with other Brassica-family compounds. These mechanisms are well-documented in the broader glucosinolate literature.

Evidence strength: Preliminary; based on in vitro cell-line assays and animal models. No controlled human clinical trials for anticancer effects have been published.

5.10 Reproductive and Hormonal Effects

Seeds of L. sativum are rich in bioactive compounds such as proteins, fatty acids, and phenolic compounds, which have been traditionally associated with reproductive health and metabolic regulation that may influence the critical pathways implicated in PCOS pathophysiology. The seed extract exhibits diverse biological properties including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antidiabetic activities, which are particularly relevant to PCOS. A rat model study investigated the protective effects of L. sativum seed extract (LSSE) on fertility and pregnancy outcomes in a model of PCOS induced by letrozole and a high-fat diet. PCOS was induced by oral administration of letrozole (1 mg/kg) along with a high-fat diet for four weeks. Sixty rats were divided into five groups: control, PCOS, PCOS + LSSE (250 mg/kg), PCOS + LSSE (500 mg/kg), and metformin (200 mg/kg).

Evidence strength: Preliminary animal data only. No human clinical trials have evaluated reproductive or hormonal outcomes.

6. Dosage Forms and Doses Reported in Research

The following doses are those stated in the published research literature; no recommendations are implied.

In the clinical bronchial asthma study, L. sativum seed powder was administered at a dose of 1 g three times daily (3 g/day total) orally for 4 weeks.
In a rat fracture-healing study, the methanolic extract of Lepidium sativum seeds was administered at 400 mg/kg orally, and the aqueous extract was administered at 550 mg/kg orally, for 8 weeks post-fracture.
In the antidiabetic rat alkaloid study, LSTA was assessed at doses of 50, 150, and 250 mg/kg (i.p.) for 21 days.
In the PCOS rat study, LSSE was administered at doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg.
In the cyclosporine pharmacokinetic interaction study in rabbits, L. sativum was administered at 150 mg/kg orally for eight consecutive days.
In the safety/toxicity study, administration of ethanolic extract in single doses of 0.5 to 3.0 g/kg did not produce any adverse effects or mortality in mice; animals treated with extract at 100 mg/kg/day for 3 months in drinking water showed no symptoms of toxicity except a statistically insignificant higher mortality rate.

The only published human dosage is the 1 g three times daily (seed powder) used in the bronchial asthma study. All other doses are derived from animal research and cannot be directly extrapolated to human use.

7. Safety Considerations and Interactions

Abortifacient Potential

Garden cress is an abortifacient if consumed in excess. Pregnant women should avoid taking garden cress in any form because it has the ability to induce uterine contractions and thereby trigger spontaneous abortion. This property is consistent with its long-standing classification as an emmenagogue and abortifacient across multiple traditional medicine systems.

Thyroid / Goitrogenic Activity

Garden cress contains goitrogens that prevent iodine absorption in the thyroid and hence can lead to hypothyroidism. It may not be suitable for patients suffering from hypothyroidism. This goitrogenic property is consistent with the plant's membership in the Brassicaceae family, which is generally recognized to contain glucosinolate-derived goitrogenic compounds.

Gastrointestinal Effects

If large quantities of garden cress are consumed, it may cause digestive difficulties in some people. The oil extracted from garden cress seeds is edible and used as a cooking medium; however, some people may experience symptoms of indigestion due to its use. Preclinical data also showed that the ethanolic extract exacerbated indomethacin-induced gastric mucosal damage, suggesting potential for gastrointestinal irritation under certain conditions.

Coagulant Properties

Coagulation studies on the ethanolic extract of L. sativum seeds showed a significant increase in fibrinogen level and an insignificant decrease in prothrombin time, confirming a coagulating property. The seed oil of L. sativum also possesses coagulating properties. This suggests potential for interaction with anticoagulant medications, though no human pharmacodynamic interaction studies have been published.

Drug Interaction: Cyclosporine

Lepidium sativum did not produce any significant change in C_max of cyclosporine in rabbits, although absorption was significantly delayed compared with the control group. A remarkable change was observed in T_max and AUC₀–t of the Lepidium sativum-treated group, suggesting that concurrent consumption of L. sativum could alter the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine. This preclinical finding indicates a potential pharmacokinetic interaction with this immunosuppressant drug, warranting caution in transplant patients or others taking cyclosporine.

Acute Toxicity Profile

Toxicity testing showed that administration of the ethanolic seed extract in single doses of 0.5 to 3.0 g/kg did not produce any adverse effects or mortality in mice, whereas animals treated with the extract at 100 mg/kg/day for a period of 3 months in drinking water showed no symptoms of toxicity except a statistically insignificant higher mortality rate.

Overall Evidence on Safety

Research studies have confirmed that garden cress is safe for consumption without significant side effects at customary food quantities. The above safety signals pertain primarily to high-dose or therapeutic-level supplemental use. The principal documented concerns — abortifacient risk, goitrogenic potential, coagulant effects, and potential pharmacokinetic drug interactions — are based on preclinical and traditional data and have not all been systematically characterized in human subjects.

8. Body Systems and Health Areas Associated with Garden Cress

Pharmacological investigation reveals that Lepidium sativum has possessed antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticancer, reproductive, gastrointestinal, respiratory, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, cardiovascular, hypolipidemic, diuretic, central nervous, fracture healing, and protective effects.

Respiratory system: Bronchial asthma, bronchitis, cough (one small human trial; preclinical bronchospasm studies)
Musculoskeletal system: Bone fracture healing, rheumatic pain (animal studies; strong traditional use in Middle East)
Endocrine / Metabolic system: Blood glucose regulation, lipid metabolism, PCOS (animal studies only)
Cardiovascular system: Antihypertensive, diuretic (animal studies only)
Hepatic system: Liver protection from toxic insults (animal studies only)
Reproductive system: Galactagogue, emmenagogue, abortifacient (traditional use; preliminary animal data)
Immune / Inflammatory system: Anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory (in vitro and animal data)
Gastrointestinal system: Laxative, antidiarrheal, antispasmodic (traditional use; limited preclinical data)
Antimicrobial / Antiparasitic: Broad-spectrum antimicrobial in vitro activity against various bacteria

References

Health Conditions

Health conditions that Garden cress may help support.

No conditions available.

Body Systems

Body systems that Garden cress may help support.

No body systems available.