Scurvy Grass

OTHER NAME(S): Cochléaire Officinale, Coclearia, Cranson, Cranson Officinal, Herbe aux Cuillères, Herbe au Scorbut, Hierba del Escorbuto, Scrubby Grass, Spoonwort, Cochlearia officinalis, Herba de escorbuto, Cochléaire

Overview

Scurvy grass (Cochlearia officinalis) is a flowering herb. Its leaves have been used to make medicine.

Scurvy grass gets its name from the fact that sailors used to take it to prevent a disease called scurvy. Scurvy is caused by not getting enough vitamin C. Scurvy grass contains vitamin C.

People use scurvy grass for vitamin C deficiency, gout, wound healing, and other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use.

Scurvy grass (Cochlearia officinalis) is sometimes called watercress. Do not to confuse it with watercress (Nasturtium officinale). They are not the same.

References
  1. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
  2. Chevallier A. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, NY: DK Publ, Inc., 2000.