English Watercress

This genus of 80 species of annuals and perennials is widespread in Eurasia, N America, the Andes, N and S Africa. Hedge mustard (S. officinale) is a weedy plant that grows on waste ground, against walls and besides paths. Dioscorides, who knew it as erysimon, prescribed it with honey as an antidote to poisons and infections. It then became known as herba erysimi, hence its former species name, Erysimum officinale. One of its common names is "singer plant" because it was used to remedy loss of voice. Sisymbrium contains glucosinolates, as found in true mustards (Brassica Nigra, see Black Mustard, B. juncea, See Mustard Greens, and Sinapsis alba, See White Mustard), and a glycoside similar to digitalin.

Hedge mustard is a very common weed with a small yellow flower that grows on vacant lots and hillsides throughout the United States and Europe. It becomes a dry, wiry tumbleweed in the winter. The French named hedge mustard the "singer's plant", considering it an infallible remedy for the loss of voice. A strong infusion of the entire plant, which has expectorant properties, has been used traditionally for all diseases of the throat.

Stiffly upright, bristly annual, sometimes over-wintering, with a basal rosette of pinnate leaves, 5-9cm (2-3½in) long. Tiny pale yellow flowers appear through summer, followed by erect pods, about 1cm (½in) long, containing orange-brown seeds.


Common Name:
English Watercress
Other Names:
Bank Cress, Bank Mustard, Hedge Mustard, Singer's Plant.
Botanical Name:
Sisymbrium officinale syn. Erysimum officinale
Genus:
Sisymbrium
Family:
Brassicaceae
Native Location:
Europe, N Africa, and the Near East.
Cultivation:
Moist to dry, acid to alkaline soil in sun or light shade. Self-sows readily.
Propagation:
By seed sown in autumn or spring.
Harvest:
Plants and flowering tops are cut in summer for infusions and liquid extracts. Leaves are picked in spring and used fresh.
Height:
30-90cm (12-36in)
Width:
15-60cm (6-24in)
Hardiness:
Hardy
Parts Used:
Whole plant, leaves, flowering tops.
Properties:
A tonic herb with a mustard-like aroma. It has laxative, diuretic, and expectorant effects, and benefits the digestion.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for bronchitis, pharyngitis, coughs, laryngitis, and bronchial mucus.
To treat laryngitis, pharyngitis, loss of voice, severe hoarseness, chronic bronchitis, and gallbladder inflammation.
Typical Dose:
A typical daily dose of hedge mustard in herb form may range from 0.5 to 1.0 gm, or the same amount can be made into an infusion (producing three to four cups of tea).
Possible Side Effects:
Hedge mustard's side effects include vomiting, diarrhea, headache and irregular heartbeat. Hedge mustard contains cardiac glycosides, which can help control irregular heartbeat, reduce the backup of blood and fluid in the body, and increase blood flow through the kidneys, helping to excrete sodium and relieve swelling in body tissues. However, a buildup of cardiac glycosides can occur, especially when the herb is combined with certain medications or other herbs that contain cardiac glycosides, causing arrhythmias, abnormally slow heartbeat, heart failure, and even death.
Drug Interactions:
Taking hedge mustard with this drug may be harmful:
Digitalis, (Digitek, Lanoxin)—May increase therapeutic and/or adverse effects of the drug.
Supplement Interactions:
Culinary Uses:
Young leaves can be added to salads, soups, sauces and omelets.
Warning:
Excess may effect the heart.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited Pg 370
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.268-269