Luxurious, bright and so different nasturtiums are well known and loved by gardeners and gardeners, because these beautiful and practically maintenance-free flowers look so elegantly on a flower bed, terrace or even on a summer balcony.
Nasturtium is home to South and Central Africa, and in our country the plant came from Holland and so caught on and loved, which has long been "their". The variety of types and colors of nasturtium can not be described - there are perennial and annual nasturtium, curly and shrub, with the usual, terry or semi-double colors of almost all shades of yellow, orange and red.
Did you know? The slightly forgotten name of the nasturtium, under which it actually appeared in our latitudes, is Capuchin. This was the name of the monastic order (Order of the Little Capuchin Brothers), founded in 1525 as a branch of the Order of the Franciscans. "Capuccio" in Italian means "hood" - it is thanks to the pointed hood, which the members of the order wore, it got its name. The nasturtium flower is shaped like a hood of the Order of the younger brothers, hence the association. In addition to capuchin, nasturtiums are sometimes also called "Spanish cress" or "Indian cress."
So, speaking of nasturtiums, we all, as a rule, mean that this is an annual flower, perfectly suitable for decorating a place of rest. But that nasturtium has a lot of useful properties widely used in folk medicine, cosmetology, and even part of the original recipes, for many certainly will be a surprise. About this and talk.
The chemical composition of nasturtium
The main reason for determining the usefulness of a nasturtium is its various vitamin composition. Ascorbic acid in Capuchin is even twice as much as in black currant, also in all parts of nasturtium there is retinol (vitamin A), thiamine (vitamin B1) and riboflavin (vitamin B2), and in the leaves, moreover, vitamin E.
Among the other beneficial substances in the chemical composition of nasturtium, it is necessary to allocate iron, sulfur, salts of phosphorus, potassium and iodine, as well as tropeolin, which is a natural antibiotic.
The plant, in addition, contains flavonoids, mustard glucosides, saponins, isoquercitrin, alkaloids, glycoside gluconasturcin, tannins and phytoncids. The seeds of the plant are rich in essential oils, represented basically by erucic, oleic, linolenic, palmitic, stearic acids.
In terms of energy value, Capuchin contains 65% of proteins, 25% of fats and 15% of carbohydrates.
Caloric content of nasturtium leaves - 12 kcal per 100 g, but the seeds are almost twice as high in calories (22 kcal per 100 g).
Useful and healing properties of nasturtium
Thanks to this chemical-rich chemical composition, capuchin has bactericidal and insecticidal properties, and a large amount of vitamins is a direct reason to use the plant for maintaining immunity and general strengthening of the body.A large amount of vitamin C determines the anti-scorching qualities of nasturtium, and also allows the plant to be successfully used to relieve symptoms of flu and other respiratory viral infections, as well as bronchitis, rhinitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis, otitis media, pneumonia, angina and other bacterial diseases. The expectorant properties of nasturtium allow its use in asthma and pulmonary emphysema. Some diseases of the oral cavity (stomatitis, candidiasis, gingivitis) are treated by rinsing with nasturtium infusion.
In addition, nasturtium improves metabolic processes, dilates blood vessels, helps with cholelithiasis, urolithiasis and kidney stones, constipation, as well as inflammation of the lymph nodes.
Women are recommended to take nasturtium with menopause, and men - with a weakening of the productive function.
Also known diuretic properties of the plant, so it is used in pyelonephritis, acute and chronic cystitis, urethritis.
Capuchin also improves appetite, helps to cope with depression and the effects of stress. Finally, nasturtium promotes hair growth and improves skin condition, which allows you to successfully apply the plant in cosmetology.
In addition to therapeutic, capuchin has other beneficial properties. Summer residents and gardeners are well aware of the ability of this plant to protect gardens and orchards from pests and diseases. This flower does not tolerate Colorado beetles, aphid, whitefly, moth, cabbage soup and many other harmful insects. Moreover, this effect persists in the soil where nasturtium grew, even during the next season. And nasturtium - wonderful honey plant.
The use of nasturtium in traditional medicine and cosmetology
Consider the healing and restorative properties of nasturtium in more detail.
To strengthen hair
Essential oil contained in nasturtium containing sulfur is proven means for strengthening hair and stimulating their growth.
To achieve the result, freshly squeezed plant juice should be rubbed into the hair three times for two weeks (the procedure is carried out every other day), between which a break of 10 days is taken. In addition to the prevention of baldness, this course also allows you to get rid of dandruff.
Important! If nasturtium juice comes into contact with the eyes, inflammation is possible, therefore, special care should be taken!
Simultaneously with external use, it is good to drink 2-3 tablespoons a day before meals with an infusion of nasturtium leaves and flowers. To prepare it, 25 g of grass should be poured with a glass of boiling water, boiled for five minutes, let it brew until it cools and strain.
To combat baldness and brittle hair, you can rinse hair with the following collection: Potentilla roots and nasturtium leaves in a 1: 1 ratio are passed through a meat grinder or interrupted by a blender, squeezed juice is obtained from the resulting slurry, which is mixed with the amount of boiled water necessary for the procedure.
To prevent hair loss, to strengthen the hair follicles and improve the quality of the scalp, it is recommended to rub a specially prepared lotion into it with a stiff brush: nasturtium (seeds, flowers or leaves), fresh nettle and 100 g of boxwood leaves are mixed together, poured 0.5 liters of alcohol and insist two weeks. Then the lotion must be drained, add a few drops of essential oil and apply as intended.
Nasturtium juice application
Nasturtium juice is applied externally and internally. In the first case, the juice is applied as compresses for burns, warts and polyps, and also rubbed into the hair to improve their growth, to combat loss and brittleness, against dandruff.
Inside, the juice is taken for the expansion of blood vessels, with rheumatism, gout, anemia, diseases of the liver and thyroid gland, as well as coronary heart disease.
The recommended dose is 1 dessert spoon three times a day.
Infusion for colds
From cough, accompanying colds, pneumonia, as well as in asthma, dried capuchin leaves are well helpful. 1 tablespoon of dry herbs need to pour 0.2 liters of hot boiled water and insist half an hour. Strain the infusion and take three times a day, one third of a glass.
Infusion with a breakdown, as a general tonic
With a breakdown, it is recommended to use a capuchin wine tincture.
Fresh leaves collected from the blossoming nasturtium, tightly fit into a glass jar and filled with dry white wine. Leaves infused for two weeks in the refrigerator. Then filter and drink a teaspoon three times a day just before eating food. The minimum course is two weeks.
Tincture with chronic bronchitis
A wonderful expectorant effect is shown by the spirit tincture of nasturtium. Any part of the plant is crushed and filled with vodka (1 cup of vodka per 2 tablespoons of herb) and infused for two weeks in a warm place protected from light. While the liquid is infused, it is recommended to shake it occasionally. Then the infusion is filtered.
Take the infusion should be 25 drops three times a day for chronic and acute bronchitis, as well as other colds.
Broth for kidney disease
In cases of kidney and urinary tract system, nasturtium decoction has a good therapeutic effect. Any part of the plant is crushed, and poured boiling water at the rate of 0.5 liters of water to 1 tablespoon of raw materials. Broth should be braced for a quarter of an hour in a water bath, then insist three quarters of an hour and strain.
During the day, you need to drink three times a glass of this medicine.
How to use nasturtium in cooking
Leaves, buds and seeds of nasturtium are widely used in cooking. The popularity of the plant among chefs from different countries is due to its spicy bitter taste and spicy aroma.
Did you know? The taste of nasturtium was appreciated by the ancient Romans. During the Middle Ages, monks in the monasteries used capuchin leaves and flowers as a secret salad supplement, which gives the dish the ability to heal from disease, prolong youth and increase strength. This salad is called "cardinal".
Today, leaves and flowers of nasturtium are used in the preparation of vitamin salads, vinaigrettes and other snacks (these leaves taste like cress, hence the alternative names for the plant are Spanish cress, Indian cress), soups, sauces and marinades, and also side dishes — mashed potatoes and minced meat.
The lower leaves of the plant are used for making sauces, as they have a bright pepper taste.
Marinated fruits and seeds are good in seasoning meat, fish and vegetable salads.
Capuchin flowers are decorated with mashed soups, sandwiches and cocktails.
Fruits and immature seeds of nasturtium are used by cooks as a spice, instead of mustard. To taste, they resemble capers.
Armenians use nasturtium for making pies and other dough dishes.
Preparation and storage of raw materials from nasturtium
For therapeutic and culinary purposes, you can use all the aboveground organs of nasturtium - leaves, stems, flowers, seeds, and fruits.
You can collect material all summer, but the specific time depends on how the plant will be used.
Important! Medicinal raw materials are best collected during flowering, while for use in food nasturtium can be cut at any time. Fruits for harvesting need to be collected immature, before they brighten and begin to fall off themselves, and the seeds - after full ripening, but before frost occurs.
The plant can be used both for medicinal and culinary purposes immediately after harvest, but if necessary, raw materials can be easily harvested, it can either be frozen or dried.
Cut nasturtium need to be entirely - along with the stem and flowers. For freezing, the material is gently laid out on a tray, placed in the freezer for a day, and after a while it is placed in special containers that can be stored in the freezer until spring. For drying, the material is also carefully laid out in a single layer on a horizontal surface and placed in a well-ventilated place protected from wind and direct sunlight until it is completely dry.
Periodically it is recommended to turn the plants over so that the drying takes place evenly and there is no maturation. Seeds, on the contrary, need to be dried in the bright sun or in a slightly opened oven, heated to a temperature of 40 degrees.
The dried material is stored in woven bags or cardboard envelopes (boxes). The plant in this case retains its beneficial properties for two years.
Did you know? In addition to drying and freezing, there are two more original ways of preparing nasturtium - salting and pickling with tarragon and vinegar. This can be done with young shoots, buds, as well as the fruits of the plant, but you need to keep in mind that if you do not cut the fruit immediately after formation (a little later than the fallen flowers), it will become tough and tasteless.
Contraindications and harm from nasturtiums
Like any medicinal plant, nasturtium, in addition to its medicinal properties, has certain contraindications.
These primarily include gastric and duodenal ulcers, as well as gastritis. Above, we mentioned that nasturtium is indicated for constipation, but it is this useful quality that, if the dose is exceeded, can cause diarrhea, indigestion and even vomiting.
There are also manifestations of individual intolerance to the substances that make up the plant, as well as allergic reactions (however, this is observed quite rarely).
Thus, in order to avoid unpleasant consequences, before any use of nasturtium as a medicine It is recommended to consult with your doctor about possible contraindications.
