What can be better in spring than a green salad that's fresh and full of vitamins? Namely, spring is the best time to fully enjoy the benefits of certain plants. It is in the spring that our body needs more than ever a dose of energy and a strong immunity.
Spring is considered the best time to plant and eat watercress. Growing watercress from seeds is the key to obtaining a mineral-rich and delicious leafy vegetable.
Watercress is one of the most unpretentious vegetables, and how much good is it! At home, it can be grown on a windowsill. Watercress grows well in cool, bright rooms.
Isn't nature wonderful? How can such a small plant contain so many essential elements for health?
The small, crunchy, watercress leaves consist of almost 90% water, but they also contain fiber, complex carbohydrates, protein and enough fat. Even oranges can envy their composition of vitamins and minerals. This delicious plant provides us with vitamins A, E, C, K, as well as B vitamins, choline, niacin and folic acid. It is also rich in minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, copper, manganese, calcium, potassium and selenium.
To enjoy the benefits of this plant, you can eat it fresh or as a juice. Even watercress seeds are recommended to be eaten.
I have so much to tell you about watercress that I don't even know where to start. In this article I will try to talk about its main characteristics and the benefits that it has on our body.
- The gastrointestinal tract. Regular inclusion of watercress in the diet contributes to:
- improving the functioning of the stomach and intestines;
- normalization of appetite;
- improving digestion;
- detoxification;
- normalization of metabolism.
Recommendation. To keep the gastrointestinal tract working properly, it is best to eat the fresh leaves of this salad along with other vegetables. For example, in the form of salads, in which are not recommended adding salt and other spices.
- Respiratory system. Watercress can be a real help for asthmatics. Because fresh juice:
- cleans the bronchi and respiratory tract;
- makes breathing easier;
- prevents attacks of coughing and asthma.
Recommendation. For asthmatics, regular use of watercress juice is recommended (2-3 tablespoons 3 times a day). In case of complications, the dose may be increased.
Also, the juice can be replaced with an infusion of leaves, which can be prepared from 2 teaspoons of leaves, covered with a glass of boiling water. The infusion is kept in a thermos for 2-3 hours.
It is especially useful to add watercress to the diet of city dwellers who rarely have the opportunity to go out the city. A successful combination of beneficial properties significantly reduces the harmful effects of an unreliable ecology.
- Nervous system. Growing and consuming regular watercress will help you maintain a strong nervous system because the plant's beneficial vitamins and oils:
- help improve sleep;
- stabilize the functioning of nerve cells;
- maintain blood pressure at the correct level;
- eliminate depressive disorders;
- contribute to maintaining a positive attitude.
- Thyroid. Due to its high iodine content:
- the activity of the thyroid gland is normalized;
- the hormonal background is restored;
- common endocrine disorders such as hyperthyroidism are prevented.
Iodine and other minerals also help improve memory and brain performance.
- Skin. Watercress is often used in skin care for both cosmetic and medicinal purposes.
For example, for pustular formations, acne, inflammation and allergic reactions, it is recommended to make compresses from rubbed leaves. Keep the compress on the affected area for more than 10 minutes. As a result, the pores of the skin are cleared and the infection disappears. Also, watercress leaves can be applied to wounds and burns.
In addition to all the above, I want to add that frequent consumption of fresh watercress is very effective in preventing certain diseases:
- eye diseases (mainly cataracts);
- oncological diseases;
- blood poisoning;
- prostatitis etc.
Of course, not all the beneficial properties of this plant are listed. As part of this article, I tried to present only those that have been tested by time and experience.
I urge you not to lose sight of the miracles that are happening right next to you. Nature is not only around you, but it is a part of you!