Peppergrass is something that you can easily spot at roadsides and in vacant lots. But just because it practically grows everywhere doesn’t mean that it’s just a pesky weed. The fact is peppergrass is highly edible — you can actually consume every single part of this plant.
What’s more, peppergrass is also used by traditional healers for a wide variety of purposes, from boosting the immune system to expelling parasites in the intestines. Read on to realize just how impressive this weed is!
It’s hard to miss peppergrass when you spot some of it — it is composed of highly branched stems, each one bearing a cluster of tiny four-petalled flowers that are white in color. If you are familiar with another type of herb called bottle brush, that’s basically how peppergrass looks like.
Peppergrass thrives in dry locations that are getting ample amounts of sunlight. It is very common in the US and Canada, as well as various parts of Asia and Europe. Peppergrass also abundantly grows in South America and Australia. Pastures, prairies, fields, vacant lots, waste sites, roadsides — you can spot peppergrass practically anywhere.
Wondering why it’s called as such? Well, that’s because it boasts of a pepper-like flavor. It’s due to this why peppergrass is also sometimes known as “poor man’s pepper”.
Just like what’s mentioned earlier, the various parts of peppergrass is edible. The leaves most especially are consumed as vegetables, and they can be eaten raw or cooked. Because of the way it tastes, it can be used as a substitute for pepper. In some places, peppergrass is turned into some type of sauce with a mustard flavor — it can be made into such by blending it with miso, garlic, turmeric and vinegar.
The flowers can be rinsed with water and then tossed into salads and soups. On the other hand, the roots of peppergrass can be washed, crushed and then seasoned with vinegar and salt, making for a substitute to horseradish.
Now that you are more acquainted with peppergrass, it’s now time for us to focus our attention on the various medicinal benefits that it offers. Some of the most impressive ones include:
It Flushes Out Excess Water
Peppergrass possesses diuretic properties. This only means that it is capable of ridding the body of excess water by encouraging the kidneys to produce more urine.
Due to this ability of peppergrass, it is commonly used for dealing with a urinary tract infection or UTI naturally. Traditional healers also employ the herb for purifying the body. Sometimes peppergrass is employed, too, for lowering high blood pressure and reducing edema or bloating.
It Expels Excess Mucus
Traditional healers also use peppergrass for dealing with issues concerning the airways, in particular those that involve the presence of too much mucus.
Herbal preparations containing peppergrass are often recommended for those who are suffering from upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold and flu. It’s not uncommon for peppergrass to be given to individuals who are having breathing problems due to asthma and bronchitis.
It Strengthens Immunity
Peppergrass is known to help strengthen the immune system by supplying the body with vitamins and minerals that help activate a person’s immune cells, thus lowering his or her risk of infections.
Peppergrass is also usually employed for dealing with vitamin C deficiency, something that can lead not only to a weakened immune system but also scurvy. Most of the time, peppergrass is relied upon by traditional healers in removing worms and other parasites in the intestines.
Do you have family and friends who are always searching for healthy vegetables to add to their diet on a regular basis? Then don’t forget to repost this article online to get them acquainted, too, with peppergrass!
