Overview

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum) is a plant that is eaten as a vegetable. Its seed, root, and above ground parts are also used as medicine.

Garden cress leaf and seed contain chemicals that might help lower blood sugar. Garden cress also contains chemicals that might help fight some bacteria and viruses.

People use garden cress for asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

We currently have no information for GARDEN CRESS overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: The above ground parts of garden cress are commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if the above ground parts of garden cress are safe when used as medicine. Consuming large amounts might cause stomach upset. Garden cress seeds are possibly safe when used in doses up to 3 grams daily for up to 4 weeks.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: The above ground parts of garden cress are commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if the above ground parts of garden cress are safe when used as medicine. Consuming large amounts might cause stomach upset. Garden cress seeds are possibly safe when used in doses up to 3 grams daily for up to 4 weeks.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: The above ground parts of garden cress are commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if garden cress is safe to use in larger amounts as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick with food amounts.

Bleeding disorders: Garden cress might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. This might make bleeding disorders worse.

Low potassium levels (hypokalemia): Garden cress might flush potassium out of the body, possibly leading to potassium levels that are too low. Until more is known, use garden cress with caution if you are at risk for potassium deficiency.

Surgery: Garden cress might slow blood clotting and lower blood sugar levels. This might interfere with drugs used during and after surgical procedures and cause severe side effects. Stop taking garden cress at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions ?

    Moderate Interaction

    Be cautious with this combination

  • Lithium interacts with GARDEN CRESS

    Garden cress might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking garden cress might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.

  • Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with GARDEN CRESS

    Garden cress might lower blood sugar levels. Taking garden cress along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

  • Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with GARDEN CRESS

    Garden cress might lower blood pressure. Taking garden cress along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.

  • Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with GARDEN CRESS

    Large amounts of garden cress might decrease potassium levels in the body. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium in the body. Taking garden cress along with "water pills" might decrease potassium in the body too much.

  • Theophylline interacts with GARDEN CRESS

    Garden cress might decrease how quickly the liver breaks down theophylline. Taking garden cress with theophylline might increase the effects and side effects of theophylline.

  • Amlodipine (Norvasc) interacts with GARDEN CRESS

    Amlodipine lowers blood pressure. Garden cress might increase how much amlodipine is in your body and lower blood pressure too much.

  • Carbamazepine (Tegretol) interacts with GARDEN CRESS

    Garden cress might affect blood levels of carbamazepine. Taking garden cress with carbamazepine may affect the control of seizures in some people.

  • Clopidogrel (Plavix) interacts with GARDEN CRESS

    Clopidogrel slows blood clotting. Garden cress might also slow blood clotting. Taking garden cress along with clopidogrel might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.

  • Gliclazide (Diamicron, others) interacts with GARDEN CRESS

    Gliclazide lowers blood sugar. Garden cress might increase how much gliclazide is in the body and lower blood sugar too much.

  • Losartan (Cozaar) interacts with GARDEN CRESS

    Losartan lowers blood pressure. Garden cress might increase how much losartan is in the body and lower blood pressure too much.

  • Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs) interacts with GARDEN CRESS

    Garden cress might slow blood clotting. Taking garden cress along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.

  • Metoprolol (Toprol) interacts with GARDEN CRESS

    Metoprolol lowers blood pressure. Taking garden cress along with medications that lower blood pressure might lower blood pressure too much.

  • Phenytoin (Dilantin) interacts with GARDEN CRESS

    Garden cress might increase levels of phenytoin in the body. Taking garden cress with phenytoin might increase the side effects of phenytoin.

  • Sildenafil (Viagra) interacts with GARDEN CRESS

    Garden cress might reduce levels of sildenafil in the body. Taking garden cress with sildenafil might reduce the effects of sildenafil.

Dosing

The above ground parts of garden cress are commonly eaten as a vegetable. But as medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of garden cress might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View References

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.