Nasturtium... Beautiful, Edible & Has Medicinal Properties Too

Untukmu Indonesia kami  (http://www.connect-indonesia.org) https://www.facebook.com/ConnectingIndonesiaGlobally In 2011 in our "self sufficiency" project we distributed some seeds of many varieties of Nasturtium in North Sumatra, Indonesia and the result is amazing. This plant is doing well and being loved by people. It grows well in a cool places such as Bogor or Puncak in Java, Tarutung in North Sumatra and many other hilly areas of Indonesia. [caption id="attachment_268892" align="alignnone" width="1000" caption="NASTURTIUM (TROPAELUM MAJUS)"][/caption] Nasturtium is a great plant to use as a "inter plant" when you are trying to manage an organic system in your garden or farm, it is a great way for insect management. Nasturtium has a great medicinal property. Please refer to information below of how to use. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Common name: Garden Nasturtium Latin name: Tropaeolum majus Other name: Indian Cress, Monks Cress Family: Tropaeolaceae Habitat: The plant is native to Peru. Grows on waste places and coastal areas. Description: Sprawling, succulent, annual plant. Grows up to 1 meter. Leaves are large and round, green to glaucous green on the upper side, paler green below. Flowers are five-petaled, trumpet-shaped flowers. They vary from yellow to orange red. The fruit is 2 cm broad and segmented. Parts used: Whole herb. Useful compounds: Volatile oil, glycoside, glucotropaeoline Medicinal use: Nasturtium has strong antibiotic, antiseptic and antibacterial effects. It also acts as an expectorant, diuretic, and emmenagogue. Internally, it is used in treatments of urinary infections, and the infections of the respiratory tract (bronchitis, angina, flu, common cold).The most common way to consume it is as infusion of leaves. Traditionally, Nasturtium has also been used as a stimulant for hair growth. Used externally, Nasturtium acts as an excellent antiseptic in treatments of wounds and skin eruptions. Safety: Benzyl isothiocyanate, responsible for the antibiotic effects of Nasturtium, can also cause irritation if used in excessive amounts. Some herbs interact with certain medications. Consult your doctor before consumption of any herb. (information by http://health-from-nature.net/