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Garden cress ( halim)

Garden cress ( halim) is a rare but nutritious herb. You may not even know about this small but mighty herb however it is observed that our grandparents were definitely using it. Some plants are small yet highly nutritious in nature and one of such small but powerful plant is garden cress. Before Few years garden cress/ halim/ aliv was not a common food but was part of diet only during last trimester of pregnancy and lactation. Now people are aware of the tremendous health benefits of these brownie chocolatey seeds.

Nutritive value of these seeds is high and has omnipresence worldwide. Its high nutritive value and readily availability makes it easy for people of all the class of society to include in the diet and increase nutritive value of their meals without increasing the diet cost.

Garden cress is an edible fast-growing herb. Commercially it is grown mainly in Scandinavia, the United Kingdom, France and the Netherlands. The stems, seeds and leaves of garden cress are edible but only the stems and leaves can be eaten raw in salads or used in other food preparations. The seeds should be roasted or cooked before eating. According to research garden cress is packed with numerous medicinal properties, beneficial to our health but it should be consumed carefully as excess may show adverse effects.

Garden cress – Chandrashura is a very famous Ayurvedic herb.  It is also called Aliv Seed. 
Botanical name- Lepidium Sativum Linn
Family- CRUCIFERAE

Names in different languages: 
English name- Garden Cress, Garden pepper cress, Aliv Seeds.
Hindi name- Chandrashoor, Chandrasur, Chansur, Halim, Asalia, Halam
Kannada name – Alavi beeja,
Bengali name- Halim Shak
Gujarati name – Asheliyo
Telugu name- Adityalu, Adeli
Tamil name- Alivirai
Punjabi name – Halium
Farsi name – Sipandan
Arabian name – Habburshad
Oriya name – Hidamba Saga
Spanish name – lepido, Mastuerzo
French name – Cresson de fontaine

Chemical constituents

Garden cress seeds contains high amount of iron and folic acid. It also contains calcium, ascorbic acid, beta carotene and tocopherol. It contains phytochemicals having resemblance with estrogen that’s why it helps in regulation of menstrual cycle and stimulation of milk production in lactating mothers. These seeds contain proteins as well as linoleic and arachidic fatty acids.

Garden cress also contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Fibres, Proteins – Amino acids such as Glutamic acid, leucine, methionine, Fatty acid such as linolinic acid, erucic aci. 7 imidazole alkaloids – Lecidine B, C, D, E, F and 2 monomeric alkaloids Semilipedene Side A and Side B are also found in Garden cress seeds.

Garden cress: small seed with big benefits

According to Ayurveda garden cress is balavardhana (improves strength and immunity) and pushtivardhana (nourishing). It is indicated in Hikka (hiccups), Vataroga (Vata Dosha imbalance disorders such as neuralgia, paralysis, constipation, bloating, etc), Kaphaja Atisara (diarrhoea, dysentery due to Kapha increase), Asruk Vata (Vatarakta- Gout), Amenorrhoea and irregular menstrual cycles. These seed paste also relieves pain, worm infestation in wounds and useful in skin disorders associated with itching.

Reasons to eat garden cress regularly

Garden cress is potential source of essential fatty acids, iron, folic acid, calcium, vitamins C, E and A that help u to get thick, shiny hair and healthy skin. The leaves are an excellent source of vitamin A, C and folate, whereas the seeds are high in calories and protein. A paste of the seeds with water is applied to broken lips and against sunburn, irritated skin, and dry skin. Cress seeds contain arachidic acid and linoleic acid that’s why it has memory booster property.

• Galactogogue properties

Garden cress seeds increases milk production and secretion in lactating mothers. Before using the seeds soak them in water or milk for 2-3 hours. This will enhance the taste of seeds. Because of its high iron and protein content, it is often given to lactating mothers. It can be given in the form of kheer and laddoos prepared using coconut and garden cress seeds.

·   Sexual and reproductive health

Garden cress has mild oestrogenic properties due to presence of phytochemicals. It helps in creating the hormonal environment to start menses and so to regularize the menstrual cycle. Garden cress also helps to improve libido [and this works for both, men and women!]

·   Digestive and immune system

Garden cress purifies blood and stimulates appetite and immunity. In case of constipation you should add garden cress to diet as it has laxative properties. It is used to treat bleeding piles, intestinal problems and colic issues. Seed paste in honey can be used to treat amoebic dysentery. Garden cress crushed and mixed with warm water is helpful to treat colic pain especially in infants.

• Respiratory system

Garden cress seeds are good expectorants and recommended in bronchitis because of its broncho -dilating properties. Chewing the seeds helps to get relief from sore throat, cough, asthma and headache. The leaves are used in the treatment of asthma and cough.

·        For anaemia

Garden cress seeds have high quality and quantity of iron and folic acid and so they are used to treat iron deficiency. Seeds are the richest source of non-haeme iron [an easily absorbed iron] help to increase the haemoglobin levels. When taken regularly, it can reduce anaemia and helps you to get blushing cheeks. It is advised to have vitamin C half an hour after consumption of these seeds to enhance iron absorption.

• For cancer

Garden cress seeds contain antioxidants like vitamin A and E which help protect cells from damage by free radicals. Hence, these seeds are chemo protective in nature.

• In diabetes

The seed coat contains mucilage, which has phytochemical called lepidimoide. It also has hypoglycemic properties which help to control blood glucose level in diabetic person.

• Hepatoprotective

Garden cress seeds stimulate bile function. It also protects liver damage from toxic agents like carbon tetra chloride (CCL4) due to presence of flavonoids, triterpens, alkaloids, tannins.

• Anti-hypertensive property

Garden cress seeds have diuretic properties which help to lower blood pressure. Thus it has anti-hypertensive property.

Side-effects

Though the kheer or laddoos are extremely delicious but it’s over consumption may lead to adverse effects. The mustard oil present in garden cress seeds may cause digestive difficulties in some people who are sensitive to it. These seeds have diuretic properties, thus patients suffering from frequent passage of water and urine should be cautious while consuming garden cress. Garden cress has tendency to induce uterine contractions and abortion that’s why pregnant women should avoid it. It is capable of inducing abortion in early pregnancy if taken in excess.

Garden cress seeds have goitrogens which can alter the proper functioning of thyroid gland by interfering iodine absorption. So it should be consumed with caution by patients with thyroid disfunctioning.