Brooklime is found Eurasia and in all parts of Great Britain, being very common and generally distributed, occurring as far north as the Shetlands, and in the Highlands ascending up to 2,800 feet. It is also found in Ireland and the Channel Islands. It grows abundantly in shallow streams, ditches, the margins of ponds, bogs, and riverbanks, flourishing in the same situations as Water Cress and Water Mint. Brooklime throws out stout, succulent, hollow stems that root and creep along the ground, bearing oval-oblong leaves, smooth, slightly toothed on the edge, and thick and leathery in texture. The leaves and young stems were once in favor as an antiscorbutic, and even now the young shoots are sometimes eaten in spring with those of Watercress, the two plants being generally found growing together. Brooklime and Watercress are generally used together in diet drinks with other things, serving to purge the blood and body from ill humors that would destroy health, and they also procure women's courses and unique cycles. As a green vegetable, Brooklime is also wholesome, but not very palatable. In earlier days the leaves were applied to wounds, though their styptic qualities appear to be slight. They are sometimes bruised and put on burns. Brooklime has always been a popular simple for scrofulous affections, especially of the skin. Fresh juice of the herb is mildly diuretic. Older herbals recommend it for intestinal disorders and anemia. Used as a blood purifier, Brooklime helps scurvy, increase urination, helps break up kidney stones, and bring on menstruation. As a medicinal plant, Brooklime has been traditionally considered a diuretic, purgative, stimulant, stomachic and tonic. It has also been used as a remedy against liver disorders, boils, warts and tumors. Brooklime contains vitamin C and also vitamin E. The fertility vitamin, essential to breast enlargement, vitamin E helps the body to use oxygen, which increases physical endurance and stamina and improves heart response.
