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DISCLAIMER: These pages are presented solely as a source of INFORMATION and ENTERTAINMENT and to provide stern warnings against use where appropriate. No claims are made for the efficacy of any herb nor for any historical herbal treatment. In no way can the information provided here take the place of the standard, legal, medical practice of any country. Additionally, some of these plants are extremely toxic and should be used only by licensed professionals who have the means to process them properly into appropriate pharmaceuticals. One final note: many plants were used for a wide range of illnesses in the past, but be aware that many of the historical uses have proven to be ineffective for the problems to which they were applied.


NASTURTIUM
(Tropaeolum majus)
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PROPAGATION:By seed. Annual.
NEEDS: Full sun and average garden soil, and water.
HARVEST: Flowers and young leaves.

There are many cultivated varieties of nasturtium suitable for the home garden. Two which are striking are Climbing Alaska (white marbled variegation on leaves) and Climbing Jewel of Africa.

USES

MEDICINAL:
The tea is said to help bring relief from chest congestion.
The seeds have been pounded into a poultice and used for styes.

CULINARY:
CULINARY:
Peppery flavored leaves and flowers are added to salads and used as garnishes.
The pickled flower buds cured in vinegar are substituted for capers.
Leaves and flowers used for tea.

COSMETIC:
Flowers used in the herbal bath and are astringent.

INSECTS:
The tea is used as a spray against aphids, whitefly and squash bug.
Repels striped pumpkin beetles and wooly aphids.
If aphids appear on a plant it indicates a lack of lime - sprinkle plants with lime.

COMPANION:
Cucurbits. Also good with tomatoes.



©2001 by Ernestina Parziale, CH

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