Editing Watercress (section)

== Introduction ==

'''Nasturtium officinale''', commonly known as watercress, is a fast-growing, aquatic or semi-aquatic perennial herb belonging to the Brassicaceae family. It is native to Eurasia but has been introduced and naturalized in many parts of the world, including North and South America, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand<ref>https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/GreatLakes/FactSheet.aspx?Species_ID=229</ref><ref>http://misin.msu.edu/facts/detail?cname=Watercress&amp;id=235&amp;project=NA</ref><ref>https://fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/nasturtium_officinale.shtml</ref>. Watercress is one of the oldest known leaf vegetables consumed by humans and is valued for its peppery flavor and nutritional content, including high levels of vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, and folic acid<ref>https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=229</ref><ref>http://misin.msu.edu/facts/detail?cname=Watercress&amp;id=235&amp;project=NA</ref>. Its use extends beyond culinary purposes, as it has been employed in herbal remedies and is recognized for its potential health benefits, such as antioxidant properties and possible cancer-suppressing effects<ref>https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/GreatLakes/FactSheet.aspx?Species_ID=229</ref><ref>https://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.aspx?SpeciesID=229</ref>.

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