Awareness and Use of Garden Cress Seed (Lepidium sativum L.) among Rural Pregnant and Lactating Women in Bengaluru

Garden cress seed (Lepidium sativum L.) belongs to the Brassicaceae family.In India, it is used as a culinary seed.The seeds, leaves, and roots of garden cress have economic value, but it is mostly cultivated for its seeds.Garden cress seeds have long been used as functional food in some geographical areas.It is a rich source of iron and a good source of calcium.Garden cress seed is known to have antidiabetic, antiasthmatic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, galactagogue, and emmenagogue properties.Studies have shown that it is used as a traditional supplementary food given to pregnant and lactating mothers, and to people suffering from back pain in selected areas of north Karnataka.The objective of this research was to study the awareness and usage of the garden cress seed among pregnant and lactating mothers in rural Bengaluru, South Karnataka.A questionnaire was developed for this purpose.The subjects were pregnant women and lactating mothers (n = 100).Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire.The results of the study showed that none of the subjects were aware of garden cress seeds.It can be concluded that awareness should be created among rural women in Bengaluru regarding the use of garden cress seeds to reduce micronutrient deficiency.