Swiss Garden Cress

Cress, sometimes referred to as garden cress, is a fast-growing, edible herb. Originally native to Southwest Asia, the cress spread to Western Europe centuries ago where it was cultivated. Ancient oriental, Indian and Mediterranean cultures emphasized the medicinal properties of cress, especially as a remedy to prevent scurvy, to detoxify and to stimulate. It was also thought to be an aphrodisiac. When consumed raw, cress is a high-nutrient food containing substantial content of vitamins A, C and K and several dietary minerals.

Cress contains great skin benefiting phytonutrients but of particular interest are isothiocyanates, as they have the ability to detoxify environmental pollutants and to neutralise free-radicals in the skin. Swiss Garden Cress is found to stimulate the cells’ inherent detoxification system by stimulating enzymes that help eliminate “xenobiotics” or environmental toxins, such as smoke, pollution or hazardous chemicals. These are the very same toxins that contribute to excess pigmentation in the skin. Swiss Garden Cress is also proven to increase skin firmness and smoothness.