Diplotaxis tenuifolia is a species of flowering plant in the mustard family known by the common names wild rocket and perennial wall-rocket. This plant is native to Europe and Western Asia. It can be found throughout much of the temperate world where it has naturalized.

This is an erect mustard-like plant with branching stems that may exceed half a meter in height. It grows in clumps on the ground in a variety of habitats and is a common weed of roadsides and disturbed areas. It has long leaves which may be lobed or not. The foliage is aromatic when crushed. Atop the branches of the stem are bright yellow flowers with four rounded petals each about a centimeter long. The fruit is a straight, flat silique up to five centimeters long.

Wild rocket is high in ascorbic acid, carotenoids, polyphenols and glucosinolates (above all glucosativin and glucoerucin, which are the cause of the pungent flavour).^[rx] When the leaves are chewed glucosinolates, through the enzyme myrosinase, are metabolized in isothyocyanates^[rx] and indoles.^[rx]

Diplotaxis tenuifolia commonly known as the Wild rocket is a species of flowering plant in the mustard family Brassicaceae / Cruciferae known by the common names perennial wall-rocket and Sand mustard. This plant is native to Europe and Western Asia. It can be found throughout much of the temperate world where it has naturalized. Some of the popular common names of the plant include Lincoln weed, Narrow-leaved wall-mustard, Perennial wall-rocket, Sand mustard, Sand rocket, Slim leaf wild rocket, Slim-leaved wall rocket, Wild arugula, Wild rocket, Yellow-flowered perennial wild rocket, white rocket, wild Italian arugula, and Silvretta arugula.

Wild Rocket Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Diplotaxis tenuifolia

Wild rocket seeds are available commercially. Wild rocket is a food plant for beetles, flies, cabbage white butterflies and micro-moths. The species was described in 1755 by Carl Linnaeus as Sisymbrium tenuifolium and as Diplotaxis tenuifolia by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle in 1821. Wild rocket has been used as a culinary herb since Roman times. It had a reputation as an aphrodisiac. It has spread widely from its native area as it easily colonizes bare earth (including dry, poor soils) and was also carried in the sand used as ballast in ships.

Wild Rocket Facts

Plant Description

Wild rocket is a perennial, erect, glabrous (without hairs) yellow-flowered herb that normally grows about 200–800 mm tall. The plant is found growing in old walls, waste places, roadsides, stream banks, and railway lines. It grows on a wide range of soil types, from heavier textured clay soils to coastal sand. It is, however, most often encountered on well-drained sandy soils with a high calcium content. The plant has a long taproot that allows the plant to utilize water from deep underground. The stem is woody at its base, glabrous, forms branches with dense numbers of leaves, and with apical raceme inflorescences. Stem and leaves are glaucous (blue-green in color with a whitish bloom).

Leaves

Rosette leaves are only produced when the plant is a seedling, being absent at all other times. The lower leaves are petiolate (with a leaf stalk), about 170 mm long, decreasing in size up the stem. The stem leaves are variable in shape and size, ranging from being pinnate, deeply lobed to coarsely toothed or entire.  Leaves have a strong (some say unpleasant) mustard smell when fresh and broken/crushed.

Flower

Flowers are sulfur-yellow, normally 15-18 mm across, and are attached to the stem by a relatively long peduncle (2 – 3 times the length of the flower). The flowers are hermaphrodites (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by insects. Flowers are made up of 4 sepals, 4 petals that are arranged diagonally forming the shape of a cross, 6 tetradynamous stamens, that is 4 central and long, 2 adjacent and shorter, and a central green pistil with an inflated pale green style. Flowering normally takes place in between May to September.

Fruit

Fruit are in the form of erect, narrow rod-shaped siliqua about 20-60 mm long and 1- 2.5 mm across which are slightly bulging with the seeds inside. The fruit pods have a short apical beak and are separated from the stalks by a distinct constriction. The fruit walls split open with a sudden twist and hence spread the seeds to a further distance away leaving a central translucent partition (called replum) along the length of the siliqua. Seeds are arranged in paired rows and attached at each side of the replum by tiny stalks called funiculi. There can be up to 60 seeds per fruit. They are spherical to ovoid in shape and brown to light brown in color.

Health benefits of Wild Rocket

The wild rocket consists of a wide range of health-promoting properties such as phytochemicals including Vitamin C, carotenoids, dietary fiber, magnesium, calcium, potassium, Vitamin K, polyphenols, and glucosinolates. This compound has strong protective agents to our body and can help to prevent several serious diseases. Due to their nutritional contents, it is quite beneficial to the human body. Listed below are some of the popular health benefits of wild rocket

1. Relieve constipation

Constipation used to happen when people consume less fiber. Wild rockets consist of high amounts of fiber that can help the bowel movement inside the colon and ease the stool to pass it. If you experience constipation during your day, including wild rocket in your meal can be helpful to relieve it.

2. Prevent cancer

Wild rockets possess high antioxidants that can prevent the body from developing cancer. Research reported that wild rocket not only consists of a high amount of antioxidants but also contains a substance called sulforaphane which has the capability to delay the growth of cancer cells and prevent the Histone deacetylase enzymes are known as cancer promoters.

Wild rocket also consists of chlorophyll which can block the carcinogenic substance that comes from heterocyclic amines. Taking wild rockets with grilled steak or other grilled food may prevent the body from heterocyclic amines and other carcinogenic effects.

3. Prevent diabetes

The wild rocket consists of a good amount of alpha-lipoic acids that is categorized as an antioxidant. Research reported that alpha-lipoic acid in wild rockets can lower the blood sugar level and increase insulin sensitivity. This makes wild rocket great vegetables to be consumed by diabetes patients and those who want to prevent from building diabetes.

4. Cleansing colon

Wild rocket leaves is a natural colon cleansing agent that can help to clean the colon from harmful toxin and flush it away from the body. As we know that a colon is a place where stool and digestion waste is formed, the colon may get dirty and contains numerous toxins that can be harmful. Not only cleanse the colon, wild rockets also can promote good bacteria growth inside the colon.

5. Promotes healthy digestion

The wild rocket consists of high dietary fiber which can help to improve digestion health. The fiber contents of the wild rockets can considerably increase bowel movement and help in nutrient absorption.

6. Prevent atherosclerosis

By reducing the level of cholesterol, the wild rocket can be effective in preventing atherosclerosis since we know that the main thing that causes atherosclerosis is cholesterol or bad fat. The cholesterol which enters the body will gather and accumulate in the wall of arteries and this may higher the chance of building cardiovascular (CVD) disease.

7. Reduce cholesterol

The fiber in wild rocket helps to increase the amount of good fat or known as High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and decrease the amount of bad fat or Low-Density Lipoprotein that can cause many health problems within the body.

8. Protect kidney

Wild rockets consist of high antioxidants which can help to protect the kidney from several harmful substances such as mercuric chloride and it has been proven by several studies which conducted by researchers from Saudi Arabia.

9. Maintain healthy skin

High antioxidant contents and vitamin C in wild rockets can keep your skin nourished and healthy. Wild rocket helps to maintain healthy blood circulation and make sure that the skin tissue gets sufficient nutrients and oxygen. Vitamin C in wild rockets also promotes collagen production that can keep the skin tissue firm and young.

10. Fight inflammation

The wild rocket consists of high antioxidants and they can also act as anti-inflammatory properties such as indole-3-carbinol and isothiocyanates inside the body. The antioxidant content of wild rockets helps to reduce the inflammation in the body caused by microorganism infection or harmful substances which enter the body.

11. Help to lose weight

Wild rocket is very low in calories and they can help to make you full and satisfied by just eating it. It will prevent you from hunger and make your stomach full for a longer time. The fiber in wild rockets also can block the fat to enter the body. These will be a great reason why you should put wild rockets into your diet.

12. Reduce the risk of heart disease

Wild rocket helps to reduce cholesterol, protect the blood vessels, and also consists of potassium which maintains a healthy heartbeat. These effects may give benefits in reducing the risk of heart disease particularly among the elderly.

13. Prevent obesity

Scientific research has reported that after several experiments, he found that wild rocket leaves extract can reduce the risk of obesity and treat obesity by increasing urinary and nutrient intake.

14. Prevent osteoporosis

Calcium within wild rockets helps to maintain bone mineral density and it may prevent the bones from losing their mass particularly in older age or known as osteoporosis. The bones which lost their mineral will be easily fractured and it can be a serious problem for the elderly.

15. Increase fluid intake

The wild rocket consists of a good amount of water and it can increase your fluid intake in the body particularly during hot days. This type of vegetable can calm your stomach and make you feel rehydrated after doing any activity.

16. Promotes healthy pregnancy

Wild rocket is completely safe to be consumed during pregnancy. Wild rocket leaves contain foliate and other beneficial nutrients that can really help in developing the fetus and prevent the baby from neural tube defects or other birth disorders. The fiber in the wild rocket will also make the mother feel comfortable and relaxed during pregnancy.

17. Prevent anemia

The wild rocket consists of a sufficient amount of iron, a mineral that is vital in developing new red blood cells. Lack of iron causes anemia and can reduce the productivity of a person. Anemia is a disorder in which the body doesn’t get enough oxygen and nutrient transport since the body lacks red blood cells.

18. Alleviate stress and Relaxing muscle

The wild rocket consists of a good amount of magnesium that can relax the muscle and soothe nerves. Consuming wild rocket on dinner not only will make you stay healthy but also can ease your stress and relax muscle after a hard day at work.

19. Boost immune system

High antioxidant contents in wild rocket leaves may promote better and efficient immune function. The antioxidant can strengthen the immune cells and prevent the body from free radical damage as well as certain infection of microorganisms that can cause disease.

20. Maintain healthy vision

The wild rocket consists of Vitamin A and even it’s not in a high amount; still, it can keep healthy eyes and vision. Vitamin A in wild rocket can considerably protect the eyes from building eyes disorder such as cataracts and age macular degeneration.

21. Maintain metabolism rate

Vitamin B complex contents in wild rockets play important role in the body’s metabolism process. They are the co-factor of several enzymes in the body which work to produce energy that is required by every cell in the body.

22. Prevent scurvy

Vitamin C contained in Wild rocket can keep oral health and prevent from developing scurvy. The antioxidant in wild rockets can also protect the mouth from a bacterial infection which leads to several oral problems.

23. Prevent Alzheimer

It is well known that wild rocket consists of a high level of antioxidant that can help to protect the brain from damage especially caused by free radicals damage. Consuming wild rockets regularly can maintain stable brain function and prevent Alzheimer’s that usually occur in elderly age.

24. Promotes sexual desire

Since Roman times, the wild rocket has been popular as an aphrodisiac. It is believed that both wild and cultivated rockets can encourage sexual desire and increase sperm count in males. They can also get rid of frigidity in women.

25. Prevent ulcer

Research published in the World journal of gastroenterology reported that wild rocket just like the cultivated one has anti-ulcer properties that can protect the stomach and prevent it from gastric ulcers.

26. Promotes healthy hair

People who consume wild rocket or arugula juice can prevent hair loss caused by viral infection since it consists of anti-inflammatory properties. It can help to prevent hair thinning and encourage healthy hair growth.

27. Protect liver

The wild rocket contains antioxidants and also chlorophyll which is popular as a natural body cleanser. Those substances can help the body to purify the blood from toxins and other substances so it eases liver function and works. The antioxidant in wild rockets also can protect the liver from damage caused by free radicals.

Culinary Uses

• Leaves can be consumed raw and used in salads, they are very strongly flavored of cress.
• Leaves have a hot flavor, very similar to rocket but more strongly flavored – they make an excellent addition to a mixed salad but are too strong to be used in quantity on their own.
• Wild Rocket is an ideal replacement for normal Salad Rocket and is used extensively in French and Italian cuisine.
• It may be used with other greens, nuts, or fruit and topped with dressings, included in stir fry dishes or steamed lightly with other vegetables.
• Flowers are also edible and can be added to similar dishes.
• Older leaves can be quite bitter and hot in taste, so these are best reserved for cooked dishes.
• Young leaves are very popular in salads as they have the mildest flavor.
• They can also be lightly boiled or steamed and added to numerous other dishes.
• Flowers of wild rockets are also edible and added to salads.

Tips to Consume Wild Rocket

Before you include the wild rocket in your diet better watch these tips:

• Purchase fresh wild rocket in the market and choose the bright dark green color of wild rocket leaves
• Wash the leaves before you consume it to remove dirt and other substance which stick into the leaves
• Store wild rockets in the fridge by wrapping it tightly with plastic and they can only be stored for 4-5 days
• You can consume wild rocket in a salad or add it to your omelet or scramble while having breakfast
• Wild rockets can also be stirred fry, sauté, or boiled. It depends on your favorite way to enjoy the vegetable

Best practice management

Wild rockets can spread by both seed and root fragments. Ensuring thorough cleaning of cultivation, harvesting, and road maintenance equipment that has been working in infested areas will help prevent its spread. Hay and crop seeds may also contain seeds of the Wild rocket if they have been sourced from infested paddocks. Sites, where feed is laid out, should be monitored for the emergence of new weeds. New weeds should be removed before they become established.

Chemical control

Herbicides can be used successfully in controlling Wild rocket. However, the biology of the species coupled with the complexities of modern cropping and weed management requires careful and well-researched decisions to be made to maximize effectiveness and to limit off target impacts. Populations of Wild rockets resistant to Group B/2 herbicides have been discovered in cereal crops in South Australia. Blade plowing, or spraying with relatively inexpensive herbicides used for general broadleaf weed control can kill or dramatically reduce established Lincoln weed in arable areas. Lincoln weed is difficult to control in established lucerne as selective herbicide treatments are not available.

Non-chemical control

Individual plants can be successfully hand-pulled or hoed, but care should be taken to ensure the majority of the taproot is removed, as re-sprouting can occur. Deep plowing is an effective means of control especially if followed up by further cultivation to return seedlings and regrowth to the soil.

Precautions

• Wild rockets must be stored properly by wrapping it inside the fridge because it can easily damage and infected by bacteria that produce nitrate.
• Wild rocket also consists of Vitamin K that may interfere with blood-thinning medication or warfarin.
• People who are under medication should confirm with the doctor or any health care provider before consuming wild rocket.

References

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