Witnessed by: Western
Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus), of the Tropaeolaceae family. Trailing succulent annual with round shield-shaped leaves and spurred flowers of orange, yellow and red; native range: the Andes of South America, long grown in gardens worldwide. Globally recognized as garden nasturtium · Indian cress · monk's cress in English. The part used is leaves, flowers and seeds (fresh). Hot and peppery like watercress, sharply pungent and slightly acrid.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
NASTURTIUM
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- nasturtium
- Scientific name
- Tropaeolum majus L.
- Family
- Tropaeolaceae
Form
- Part used
- leaves, flowers and seeds (fresh)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- pungent · acrid
Temperature
- Western
- warm, drying
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- lungs · bladder · kidneys · mucous membranes
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- antimicrobial, antibacterial, expectorant, urinary antiseptic, mild diuretic
Cautions
- Contraindications
- gastric or peptic ulcer and kidney disease, where the mustard-oils may irritate
- Toxicity
- low; large amounts may irritate the stomach and mucous membranes
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