Field Penny Cress

Botanical

What is it

Field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) is a wild plant in the cabbage family. The aerial parts and seeds are used in traditional medicine, particularly in Chinese herbalism, where it is known as bai jiang cao for inflammatory and detoxifying applications.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Anti-inflammatory and detoxifying (traditional)

Mixed Evidence

Long traditional use in Chinese medicine. Modern controlled human evidence is essentially absent.

How it works

Like other Brassicaceae plants, field pennycress contains glucosinolates that yield isothiocyanates with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory studies. In traditional Chinese medicine, field pennycress (as bai jiang cao) is used for damp-heat conditions, abscesses, and inflammatory states. Modern controlled human evidence is limited.

Dosage

Traditional decoctions use 9-15 g of dried herb daily. Standardized extracts vary by product.

When and how to take it

Traditional decoctions are taken two to three times daily. Follow product label for extracts.

1 commercial form

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Dried herb decoction

Traditional preparation.

Hot water extracts glucosinolates and flavonoids

Safety

Generally considered well-tolerated in traditional doses. Like other cruciferous plants, large amounts of raw plant could theoretically affect thyroid function in iodine-deficient individuals; this is not a practical concern at typical intakes.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to limited safety data. Caution with thyroid disorders when consuming large amounts of cruciferous plants.

Interactions

No well-established drug interactions.

Food sources

Young pennycress greens (foraged)

Amount
varies
%DV
—

Frequently asked questions

Can I eat field pennycress?⌄

Young leaves and seeds are edible and have a mustard-like flavor. Older plants can have a stronger taste.

Is it the same as shepherd's purse?⌄

No, both are in the cabbage family but they are different plants with different traditional uses.

References

Field Penny Cress on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Field Penny Cress (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.