Overview

Garden cress is a plant. The parts that grow above the ground are used to make medicine.

People use garden cress for coughs, vitamin C deficiency, constipation, tendency toward infection (poor immune system), and fluid retention, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work ?

Animal research suggests that garden cress might help fight some bacteria and viruses, but there isn't enough information to know if it works in humans.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Insufficient Evidence for

  • Coughs.
  • Vitamin C deficiency.
  • Constipation.
  • Water retention.
  • Strengthening the immune system.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of garden cress for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Garden cress is LIKELY SAFE when used as food. However, there isn't enough reliable information to know if garden cress is safe to take as medicine. Large amounts might cause irritation of the intestines.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Garden cress is LIKELY SAFE when used as food. However, there isn't enough reliable information to know if garden cress is safe to take as medicine. Large amounts might cause irritation of the intestines. Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if garden cress is safe to use as medicine when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick with food amounts.

Diabetes: Garden cress might lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Therefore, blood sugar levels need to be monitored closely. Dose adjustments may be necessary for diabetes medications that are taken.

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.

Low blood pressure (hypotension): Garden cress might lower blood pressure. There is some concern that garden cress might interfere with blood pressure control in people prone to low blood pressure.

Surgery: Garden cress might lower blood sugar levels. There is a concern that it could interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgical procedures. 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 decrease blood sugar in people with diabetes. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking garden cress along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.

    Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.

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

    Garden cress might lower blood pressure. Taking garden cress along with medications for high blood pressure might cause your blood pressure to go too low.

    Some medications for high blood pressure include captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), diltiazem (Cardizem), Amlodipine (Norvasc), hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), furosemide (Lasix), and many others.

  • 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.

    Some "water pills" that can decrease potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide), and others.

  • 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.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of garden cress depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for garden cress. 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 your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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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.