Background

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.

Safety Safety definitions

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 & Warnings:

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.

Effectiveness

Dosing & administration

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.

Interactions with pharmaceuticals

Amlodipine (Norvasc)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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

Carbamazepine (Tegretol)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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

Clopidogrel (Plavix)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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

Lithium

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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.

Losartan (Cozaar)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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.

Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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

Phenytoin (Dilantin)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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

Sildenafil (Viagra)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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

Theophylline

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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.

Water pills (Diuretic drugs)

Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.

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.

Interactions with herbs & supplements

Herbs and supplements that might lower blood pressure: Garden cress might lower blood pressure. Taking it with other supplements that have the same effect might cause blood pressure to drop too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include andrographis, casein peptides, L-arginine, niacin, and stinging nettle.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Garden cress might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Garden cress might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.

Interactions with foods

There are no known interactions with foods.