Watercress cures goiter.

In terms of chemical composition, 100g of watercress contains 93.7g of water, 2.1g of protein, 1.4g of carbohydrates, 2g of cellulose, 69mg of calcium, 28mg of phosphorus, 1.6mg of iron, and significant amounts of iodine and vitamin C. The plant contains an active compound called senevol and essential oil, with the essential oil content being approximately 0.05%.

Watercress is rich in nutrients, vitamins, and especially the active compounds senevol and iodine, which have medicinal properties.

Watercress can be eaten raw (mixed with oil and vinegar), lightly cooked, stir-fried, or cooked in soup with lean meat. Besides its culinary value, watercress is also used as a medicine to treat coughs, chronic bronchitis, prevent and treat goiter, treat bleeding gums, and scurvy (a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency).

Watercress is usually used fresh, 20-100g of fresh leaves per day, and its juice is extracted. It should not be boiled as this will reduce its effectiveness due to the evaporation of its active ingredients. It is this active ingredient (senevol) that gives watercress its distinctive smell and its cough-relieving properties.

In mountainous areas where goiter is prevalent, cultivating watercress is very beneficial, not only providing a delicious vegetable but also contributing to goiter prevention because watercress is a source of iodine for the body.

Watercress salad with oil and vinegar dressing, eaten raw, is not only a delicious dish enjoyed by many, but also a good remedy for coughs, bleeding gums, and goiter prevention.

The recipe is very simple. The ingredients include about 200g of watercress; one tomato; a little cilantro and mint; two tablespoons of olive oil; and enough garlic, chili, fish sauce, and vinegar.

All the vegetables are picked, washed thoroughly, and drained. Tomatoes are sliced ​​thinly. The dressing is the same as for a salad.

Alternatively, you can use the above ingredients, adding crushed roasted peanuts, to make a watercress salad, which is both delicious and has medicinal benefits.

In addition, watercress is also used to treat several other ailments, such as freckles, high blood pressure, and urinary retention...

Treating freckles: Mix 3 parts watercress juice with 1 part honey. Apply the mixture to a soft cloth twice a day (morning and evening), then rinse off.

Treatment for urinary retention: Take a handful of watercress, 3 onions, 2 radishes, and 1 liter of water. Boil these ingredients together and drink the resulting liquid between meals.

Treatment for high blood pressure: Drink 100ml of watercress juice twice a day.