Nasturtium. Useful properties of the plant

Nasturtium officinalis is an annual plant, cultivated as ornamental. It has a branching, slightly curling stalk, in high species reaching up to 2 m in length, and in low ones - up to 30 cm. Regular leaves are covered with thyroid laminae. The wrong shape of the petals of the plant (five pieces) are colored orange and permeated with blood-red stripes. Its immature fruit, which resembles capers to taste, is used as a seasoning in cooking in a pickled and fresh form.

Active ingredients 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 the spring even before ripening. It is known that the latter produce a laxative effect. Stems of nasturtium, and even more of its leaves, contain a lot of carotenoids and ascorbic acid.

For example, when compared with fresh lemon, then in this plant vitamin C is almost five times more. Also, nasturtium 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. Isolated from nasturtium biologically active substance tropeoline well blocks the attack of angina pectoris, it helps with atherosclerosis. The selenium contained in it prevents those diseases that develop due to poor ecology and stress. German phytotherapeutists have long appreciated the ability of this plant to improve metabolic processes in the body, and to strengthen immunity.

Nasturtium: useful properties in diseases of the respiratory system

When protracted bronchitis and pneumonia take a decoction of stems and leaves of the plant, prepared as follows. They are preliminarily ground, a tablespoon of prepared raw material is poured with hot water (200 ml) and kept for about 20 minutes in a water bath. Then immediately filter, cool and boiled water bring the resulting volume of liquid to the original, ie, up to 200 ml. The whole broth is drunk three times during the day.

Nasturtium: useful properties in cosmetology

Its leaves in combination with the tubercle tubers erectile treat loss and brittle hair. For this, the raw material is passed through a meat grinder, squeezed the juice and combines it equally. In its pure form, it can be lubricated after washing the roots of hair or diluted with water and rinsed completely with the head.

Nasturtium: useful properties for scurvy

In the treatment of scurvy use immature fruit of the plant, containing a lot of vitamin C. In this case, 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 taken in the manner already mentioned above. But in the people there is also a more complex variant, used precisely from scurvy. They combine equally the juice of dandelion, trifol, sorrel and nasturtium. Then for each 200 ml of this mixture add 200 ml of whey and boil. Take depending on the stage of the disease - from 2 to 6 tablespoons of medicine from 1 to 3 times during the day.

Nasturtium: useful properties in diseases of the genitourinary system

With urethritis and cystitis in small doses 3 times during the day, a freshly squeezed juice from this plant is drunk with a dessert spoon.