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HerbNET - Magazine - Profile of Peppergrass
Family: Cruciferae
Names: cress, land cress, bird’s pepper, wild peppergrass; American Pepperwort, Cresson Alenois,
Cresson Danois, Cresson Savane, Mastuerzo, Poor Man's Pepperwort, Virginia Pepperweed;
Virginiakrassing (Swedish); Virginiakarse (Norwegian); Virginsk Karse (Danish); Virginiankrassi
(Finnish); Virginische Kresse (German)
Description: Annual herb growing to about 2 feet. Has slender lance-shaped leaves and small white flowers. It
is in flower from May to October. The flowers are hermaphrodite and are pollinated by insects.
Cultivation: Native to eastern North American and parts of the Caribbean, and is naturalized in
Australia. An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils. Seed - sow spring in situ. Germination
usually takes place within 2 weeks. Young leaves are collected in spring. Seeds pods, in
summer-autumn.
History: It was called cress because of its rapid growth, and derived from the Latin crescere, to
grow. The Menominee of eastern North America applied a lotion of peppergrass (or a bruised fresh
plant) to eruptions resulting from contact with poison ivy.
Properties: Anthelmintic; Antiasthmatic; Antiscorbutic; Antitussive; Cardiotonic; Diuretic.
Medicinal Uses: The leaves of peppergrass is nutritious and generally detoxifying. It has been used to treat
vitamin C deficiency and diabetes, and to expel intestinal worms. The herb is also diuretic and of benefit in
easing rheumatic pain. The root is taken to treat excess mucus within the respiratory tract. North American
Indians used the bruised fresh plant, or a tea made from the leaves to treat poison ivy rash and scurvy. A
poultice of the leaves was applied to the chest in the treatment of croup. The seed is anti-asthmatic, anti-tussive,
cardiotonic and diuretic. It is used in the treatment of coughs and asthma with excessive phlegm, edema,
oliguria and liquid accumulation in the thoraco-abdominal cavity. A poultice of the bruised roots has been used
to draw out blisters. A poultice of the bruised roots has been used to draw out blisters. The root is used to treat
excess mucus within the respiratory tract.
Cosmetic Uses: To make a hair tonic: simmer a handful of ground herb in two pints of hot water for a
half hour. Strain and add a small handful of finely ground sage leaves. Simmer another half hour.
When cool, strain and add two ounces of bay rum.
Culinary Uses: Young leaves - raw or cooked. The leaves are a rich source of vitamin C and have a hot
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