Watercress....... Safe to eat from a garden pond?

There is a lot of information if you do a google search on the web but perhaps you have already done that, Grandmage?

If you are concerned I would advise seeking medical advice just to get checked out. I don't want to panic you...just a precautionary bit of advice. Try not to get to worried. (((hugs)))

Thanks W.lass, we do not feel ill at all but after having been told about the dangers etc, and yes I have googled it too, I just wondered if Goyers had had any experience/advice at all. Trouble is the more you read the more you panic, (well I do ! ) Thanks for your hugs though. x

Obviously not a doctor or able to give medical advice but my understanding is that liver fluke is passed from gut of cows and sheeps and deposited in their droppings.

Think the warning is to avoid eating wild watercress from fields where they graze.

It seems unlikely that your circumstances need you to be overly concerned .. hope this offers some reassurance but as said I m no doctor.

Please dont worry as I think this is highly unlikely GM but your GP will be able to advise you etc. In 40 years of acute hospital nursing I never knowingly came across it here in the UK. If you were a grazing animal it might be more likely?

If you have any doubts, American Land Cress is a very good substitute.

Thanks for all this advice, it's just that because we have had this lovely fresh sauce of the most delicious watercress ever and that we have eaten tons, that I began to worry because my friend who grows the watercress found this article in a Koi carp mag but it didn't go into explanation. Thanks Bb, in my research online, the more I read the more I believed it was the wild watercress and not the home grown variety and thanks Drc. I feel much better now, I knew I would get good advice on here. Meanie where do I purchase A.L.C.? Thanks so much folks :0)

Suttons do the seeds.....

http://www.suttons.co.uk/Shop/Vegetable+Seeds/Cress+American+(Land)+Seeds+161670.htm?sku=161670

Used to grow it as a perennial at my old house.

Thanks a lot Meanie, will copy this and take a look.

Much as I like watercress, I prefer the land cress - it has a bit more of a kick to it!

From what I could understand in the reading I did on line it seems raw fish or lightly cooked fish is also a source for contracting liver fluke. It seems a very remote chance that you will have contracted the disease.

You have some good replies here, Grandmage and as I said in my first comment....if still niggled about it a quick appt. at your GP's will soon solve the dilemma for you both.

And you're welcome to the hugs anytime. x

Thanks W.lass, you are too kind, I know now why I wouldnt eat sushi of any sort Lol. ! and Meanie I have looked at the seeds for ALC. very cheap to purchase so I will get some next spring and have a go.
Thanks friends. x

dont worry about flukes they start in water enter a snail then into a cow then we get infected from the meat. not that it is a problem now with abbatoir checks. if the fluke is a fish one then it cant penetrate our body sytems. They are quite host specific.

Thanks Sea.b.g for this info. there is so much to read about flukes I wish I hadnt looked into it now ! It is like reading a medical book and you end up with every disease that you read about. Lol. I would have been quite ignorant of the fluke scare if no-one had mentioned it as I have never heard of it before. I am grateful for your comment. Many thanks.

I remember having to study them at uni and every stage has a specific name too. Tapeworms are another multi host/stage critter too. very rare in gb thankfully.

Stop there Sea.b I am itching all over Lol. I really am grateful for everyones help here, think I will continue eating the watercress it is so tasty, flukes and all!!:0)

Darn, will have to walk all the way back just to pick some! maybe I will stick with Meanies idea of land cress though as I like the kick! Thanks for the link to this blog, very helpful, X

Thought you would like to read it, your welcome!