Winter cress, botanical name ‘‘Barbarea Vulgaris’’ belongs to mustard family and is a biennial plant. Winter cress is an edible plant and locally known as, yellow rocket, winter rocket or bitter cress. It starts blooming in spring season and is characterized as an edible plant by food enthusiastic. Winter cress is native to Asia and Europe, but is also introduced to other parts of the world as a nutritional and medicinal herb; due to its unremarkable chemical components and its nature bestow properties.

Winter cress has yellow flowers which bloom in early spring and summer; the leaves are arranged alternatively to each other with a dark green color hue. The physical appearance of winter cress gives a soothing image to mind, the blend to yellow crossed pattern petals arranged on dark green color stalk with perfectly aligned leaves are worth sighting.

WINTER CRESS AND ITS NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS

For the people who are in love with nature, to those winter cress is like an unbound surprise, with its composition holding efficient components contributing in maintaining health. The whole plant including flowers leaves and stems are edible and are use in salads, soups, side dishes and for the purpose of garnishing. It can also be use with other veggies and can be added dishes including stew, curry, and the leaves contains essential oil which in use for the purpose of baking bread.

 It is rich in the supply of essential components including Vitamin A, C, K, calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, zinc and in addition to these it also contains some antioxidant and polyphenol making them a good source of nature to maintain healthy body.

The presence of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K improves immunity and promotes health skin. Whereas, the presence of other minerals help in maintain serum electrolyte level and promotes healthy circulation The presence of dietary fibers in winter cress promotes healthy digestion and maintains gut health. According to chemical composition of winter cress, it is a low calorie herb which indicates its healthy use in obese and people with hypercholesterolemia.  

WINTER CRESS AND ITS MEDICINAL BENEFITS

The presence of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc and other chemical components makes it a good to go for treating many medical conditions. Each part of plant owns its distinctive role;

The flowers believe to have benefits of cardiovascular system, nervous system and circulatory system.

The leaves are organic source of Vitamins and other essential components giving anti-inflammatory properties and

Roots are known to have diuretic effects.

The natives use winter cress for the purpose of blood purification and in treatment of digestive malfunctioning, skin infection and, the following are the medicinal benefits of winter cress;

The presence of antioxidants eliminates stress inducing free radicals from body.

The presence of Vitamin C promotes healthy skin and boost our immunity, Vitamin A is good for maintain healthy vision and Vitamin K helps in promoting healthy circulation.

It is use by natives for its anti bacterial, anti fungal and anti inflammatory properties.

Winter cress roots have diuretic effect, hence a good addition of in diet diabetic patient.