Name: Arugula seeds
Name in general: watercress
Arugula Botanical name: Eruca sativa
Family: Brassicaceae
Arugula or (Eruca sativa) has many names such as rucola, rucoli, rugula, colewort, and roquette and rocket salad.
Cultivation:
Eruca sativa is cultivated in Mediterranean region since the Roman times, from Morocco and Portugal, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt.
And Egypt is considered a species of Eruca native.
Arugula seeds need a dry disturbed ground to grow, its height is 20-100 cm, and the flowers are 2-4 cm. The fruit is a siliqua (pod) 12–35 millimeters long with an apical beak, and containing several seeds (which are edible). The species has a chromosome number of 2n = 22
The larvae of some moth species use Eruca sativa as a food, including the Garden Carpet moth.
Arugula seeds need rich humusy soil with PH of 6 to 6.8, but there is no problem for other conditions, whereas moist soil will help slow bolting.
For better results you should cultivate in low and compact until heat causes plant to bolt. Then rosette of deeply lobed leaves is formed, Plants become erect when heat induces bolting.
Benefits:
Many classical authors mentioned Arugula seeds in their books as an aphrodisiac (sexual desire), such as in a poem long ascribed to Virgil, Moretum.
Eruca sativa is rich with potassium and C vitamin.
Arugula seeds are called Gaegeer جرجير (gargīr) and used for the fresh leaves.
Health benefits:
New studies have found that Arugula seeds decrease the risk of heart disease, obesity, and overall mortality.
Eruca sativa also increase energy, while promoting a healthy complexion, while promoting a healthy complexion,
1- Cancer:
Previous studies backed to 30 years found that consuming high amount of cruciferous vegetables can decrease the risk of having cancer specially lung and colon cancer.
While sulfur-containing compounds (sulforaphane) which give cruciferous vegetables their bitter bite are giving them their cancer-fighting power
As well, Studies suggested that sulforaphane can prevent the enzyme histone deacetylase (HDAC), which is involved in the progression of cancer cells.
Arugula also contain chlorophyll that is very effective at blocking the carcinogenic effects of heterocyclic amines generated when grilling foods at a high temperature.
2- Osteoporosis prevention:
Eruca sativa helps to prevent osteoporosis, where it is gives your daily calcium that you need, providing 64 milligrams in 2 cups.
3- Diabetes:
Alpha-lipoic acid is founded in leafy greens that are responsible for lower glucose levels, increase insulin sensitivity, and prevent oxidative stress-induced changes in patients with diabetes.
According to recent studies, alpha-lipoic acid is also can decreases peripheral and autonomic neuropathy (nerve damage) in diabetics.
Arugula Nutrition:
Eruca sativa contains a gram of protein and 1.5 gram of carbohydrate (including 0.6 grams of fiber and 0.8 grams of sugar), and 0.3 gram of fat. So consuming 2 cups of Arugula contains nearly 10 calories.
Only 2 cups of Arugula provides you with over 50 percent of vitamin K, 20% of a vitamin, 8% of c vitamin, and the calcium needs for the day.
Ancient Egyptian:
1- Ancient Egyptian used Arugula oil for overcome hair problems; they blended it with a unique combination of oils.
2- To have energy and power, The Pharaohs gave the slaves a daily 2 cups of Arugula juice to increase their productivity.
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