Nasturtium officinale
 Nasturtium officinale/1) Nasturtium officinale.jpg "Nasturtium officinale, Cruciferae, Gluconasturtoside, bitter agents, vitamin A, C, E, nicotinamide, glucoside, minerals (iodine, phosphorus, iron, potassium, sulfur, manganese, copper, calcium), organic salts, ascorbic acid")
 Nasturtium officinale/2) Nasturtium officinale.jpg "Nasturtium officinale, Cruciferae, Gluconasturtoside, bitter agents, vitamin A, C, E, nicotinamide, glucoside, minerals (iodine, phosphorus, iron, potassium, sulfur, manganese, copper, calcium), organic salts, ascorbic acid")
 Nasturtium officinale/3) Nasturtium officinale.jpg "Nasturtium officinale, Cruciferae, Gluconasturtoside, bitter agents, vitamin A, C, E, nicotinamide, glucoside, minerals (iodine, phosphorus, iron, potassium, sulfur, manganese, copper, calcium), organic salts, ascorbic acid")
 Nasturtium officinale/4) Nasturtium officinale.jpg "Nasturtium officinale, Cruciferae, Gluconasturtoside, bitter agents, vitamin A, C, E, nicotinamide, glucoside, minerals (iodine, phosphorus, iron, potassium, sulfur, manganese, copper, calcium), organic salts, ascorbic acid")
 Nasturtium officinale/6) Nasturtium officinale.jpg "Nasturtium officinale, Cruciferae, Gluconasturtoside, bitter agents, vitamin A, C, E, nicotinamide, glucoside, minerals (iodine, phosphorus, iron, potassium, sulfur, manganese, copper, calcium), organic salts, ascorbic acid")
 Nasturtium officinale/7) Nasturtium officinale.jpg "Nasturtium officinale, Cruciferae, Gluconasturtoside, bitter agents, vitamin A, C, E, nicotinamide, glucoside, minerals (iodine, phosphorus, iron, potassium, sulfur, manganese, copper, calcium), organic salts, ascorbic acid")
 Nasturtium officinale/8) Nasturtium officinale.jpg "Nasturtium officinale, Cruciferae, Gluconasturtoside, bitter agents, vitamin A, C, E, nicotinamide, glucoside, minerals (iodine, phosphorus, iron, potassium, sulfur, manganese, copper, calcium), organic salts, ascorbic acid")
| Botanical Nomenclature | Nasturtium officinale |
| Common Name | Watercress |
| Taxonomy- Family | Cruciferae |
| Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Nasturtium officinale is a perennial, herbaceous plant growing from 10 to 30cm, with smooth, green, oval leaves, small, white flowers in inflorescence (bunches) and spherical fruits. The flowering lasts from June to September and the harvesting takes place from April to September |
| Region Found | Epirus |
| Part of the Plant with Active Substances | The whole plant, shoot |
| Active Substances | Gluconasturtoside, bitter agents, vitamin A, C, E, nicotinamide, glucoside, minerals (iodine, phosphorus, iron, potassium, sulfur, manganese, copper, calcium), organic salts, ascorbic acid |
| Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The herbal tea has tonic, stimulant, antitussive, orexigenic, ascorbic, expectorant against runny nose and diuretic properties against dropsy, urogenital diseases, gout, cystitis and cholelithiasis. Also, it is recommended for the treatment of back pain, rheumatism and diseases of the spleen and the eyes. It is applied externally to the skin in the form of poultice to prevent photoaging and to keep the skin healthy. Finally, it is used for the treatment of eczema, acne and other skin problems. |
| Method of Administration | It is administered as diuretic, expectorant and tonic in the form of herbal tea (1-2 spoons of dried herb in half cup of boiled water, 3 times a day), plant juice (60-150g of dried herb, mainly as stimulant) and in the form of syrup (100g of dried herb, as orexigenic). It is applied externally to the skin as antioxidant, anti-aging and healing in the form of poultice (1: 15 salt and dried or fresh herb), tincture and essential oil (0,25-1g of dried herb for external use). Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
| Toxicity- Adverse Effects | The whole plant is hepatotoxic and its consumption may lead to death |
| References | 1)http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail372.php#Cautions 2)http://altnature.com/gallery/watercress.htm 3)http://www.botanical-online.com/english/watercressproperties.htm 4)http://herbs-treatandtaste.blogspot.gr/2010/12/watercress-nasturtium-officinale.html 5)http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-watercress.html |