Medicinal nasturtium is an annual plant cultivated in our country as an ornamental. It has a branched, slightly curly stem, reaching up to 2 m in tall varieties and up to 30 cm in low varieties. Regular leaves are covered with thyroid plates.
Irregularly shaped petals of the plant (five pieces) are colored in orange and pierced by blood-red stripes. Its unripe fruit, reminiscent of capers to taste, is used as a seasoning in cooking in pickled and fresh form.
The active substances of the plant
The healing properties of nasturtium are due to the chemical composition of those parts that are used as medicinal raw materials. Grass and flower buds are harvested in spring before ripening. It is known that the latter produce a laxative effect. The stems of nasturtium, and even more its leaves, contain a lot of carotenoids and ascorbic acid.
For example, when compared with fresh lemon, this plant has almost five times more vitamin C. Nasturtium also contains many low molecular weight phenols, polyphenols, flavonoids. Sulfur present in the plant is sufficient for the effective prevention of sclerosis and other age-related diseases. The biologically active substance tropeolin isolated from nasturtium blocks the attack of angina pectoris and helps with atherosclerosis. The selenium contained in it prevents those diseases that develop due to poor ecology and stress. German phytotherapists have long appreciated the ability of this plant to improve metabolic processes in the body and strengthen immunity.
Nasturtium: beneficial properties in diseases of the respiratory system
With prolonged bronchitis and pneumonia take a decoction of the stems and leaves of the plant, prepared as follows. They are pre-crushed, a tablespoon of prepared raw materials is poured with hot water (200 ml) and kept for about 20 minutes in a water bath. Then, it is immediately filtered, cooled and the resulting volume of liquid is brought to the original volume with boiled water, i.e., up to 200 ml. The whole broth is drunk three times during the day.
Nasturtium: beneficial properties in cosmetology
With its leaves, in combination with upright tubers, they treat hair loss and brittleness. For this, the raw materials are passed through a meat grinder, squeezed juice and connect it equally. In its pure form, it can be lubricated after washing the hair roots or diluted with water and rinsed completely the head.
Nasturtium: beneficial properties of scurvy
In the treatment of scurvy, immature plant fruits containing a lot of vitamin C are used. At the same time, they, as well as flowers and leaves of nasturtium, are combined with other herbs that have a similar effect. A simple broth is prepared and accepted as already mentioned above. But among the people there is a more complex option, used precisely from scurvy. Equally connect the juice of dandelion, trifol, sorrel and nasturtium. Then, for every 200 ml of this mixture, 200 ml of whey are added and boiled. Take depending on the stage of the disease - from 2 to 6 tablespoons of the drug from 1 to 3 times during the day.
Nasturtium: beneficial properties for diseases of the genitourinary system
With urethritis and cystitis in small doses 3 times a day, they drink freshly squeezed juice from this plant on a dessert spoon.