Watercress, Nasturtium officinale

Traditionally used

Watercress — a sharp, mineral-rich green carrying a mustard-oil glycoside; a spring depurative, mild expectorant, and digestive tonic taken fresh or as juice. ⚠ In excess it inflames the stomach and gut; and gather only from clean water — wild watercress from grazed land can carry liver-fluke.

In three languages

Français — Cresson — verdure piquante et minérale portant un hétéroside sulfuré; dépuratif de printemps, expectorant léger et tonique digestif, pris frais ou en jus. ⚠ En excès, il irrite l'estomac et l'intestin; et ne récolter qu'en eau propre — le cresson sauvage de pâturage peut porter la douve du foie.

Safety

Safety notes for this plant are still being written. Until they are, treat it with a cautious hand.

⚑Plants can look similar and be misidentified — always verify with a local herbalist or guide before use.

Sources & lineage

Kept alongside

See also Watercress, Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (kreson) — kept under the same English name.

• Black mustard
• Horseradish
• Common scurvy-grass
• Heartleaf sida
• White Mustard
• Masterwort
• American elder
• Alpine plantain
• Chinese rhubarb
• Lavender

More on Haitian plant medicine →

Plants T–Y →