PDR for Herbal Medicines

538 /NASTURTIUM

Flower and Fruit: The handsome campanulate flowers are

orange with flame-red to fiery red stripes. The calyx is

bilabiate, colored and has a spurred upper lip. There are 5

uneven petals. The 2 upper petals are unstemmed, the 3

lower ones are stemmed and fringed at the base. There are 8

stamens and a superior ovary with a 3-stigmaed style. The

fruit is a 3-vaIved pericarp. It is orbicular-reniform, fleshy,

wrinkled when ripe and dirty yellow.

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is an annual, sometimes

perennial and often creeping or climbing plant, 0.3 to 5 m

long. The main root is thin and forms an underground

runner. The stem is round, branched, fleshy and glabrous,

like the whole plant. The leaves are alternate, long-petioled,

hastate and almost circular. The leaves are 3 to 5 cm and

deeply lobed at the petiole.

Characteristics: The flowers are fragrant and the leafy parts

smell and taste like cress.

Habitat: The plant is indigenous to warmer regions of South

America and is becoming naturalized in the Mediterranean

region, otherwise found as a garden or ornamental plant.

Production: Garden Nasturtium consists of the aerial parts,

the seeds or leaves of Tropaeolum majus.

Other Names: Indian Cress

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Glucosinolates (0.1%): in the fresh, unbruised plant: chief

components are glucotropaeolin, yielding benzyl isothiocya-

nate after cell destruction

Ascorbieefficid -(vitamin C, 300 mg/100 gm fresh weight)

. ..**-• if." ^. -<- •• ---•
Cucurbitacins (in the fruits): including cucurbitacins B
and E

Fatty oil (in the seeds, 7.5%): chief fatty acids erucic acid

(50%), 11-cis-eiconsenic acid (25%), oleic acid (12%)

Oxalates

Flavonoids: including among others, isoquercetin and quer-

cetin glycosides

Carotinoids (as blossom pigments): lutein, zeaxanthine

EFFECTS
Benzyl mustard oil extracted from Nasturtium is bacteriostat-
ic, virostatic, and antimycotic in vitro. Mustard oils are
eliminated mainly via the breath or are collected and
eliminated in the urine; used externally, Nasturtium is a
rubefacient.

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Infections of the urinary tract


• Cough


• Bronchitis

Unproven Uses: Nastertium is used internally for infections

of the urinary tract and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract.

It is also used internally for mild muscular pain, skin

diseases, scurvy, tuberculosis, conditions of the respiratory

and urinary tracts, and menstrual disorders. The herb is used

externally for hair loss and for infected and poorly healing

wounds.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Do not administer to patients with gastrointestinal ulcers or

kidney diseases.

Do not administer to infants or small children.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

General: No health hazards or side effects are known in

conjunction with the proper administration of designated

therapeutic dosages. Administration of higher dosages of the

fresh plant or of its volatile oil can lead to mucous membrane

irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. External administration

involving long-term intensive contact with the fresh plant

can lead to skin irritations. The plant possesses a low

potential for sensitization.

Pediatric Use: Not to be administered to infants or small

children.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: The cut drug is available in the

form of coated and filmed tablets * and compound

preparations.

Preparation: To make an infusion, add 30 gm of leaves to 1

liter of water.

Daily Dosage: The dose for the extract is 14.4 mg of

benzylisothiocyanate taken 3 times daily. The dose for the

infusion is 2 to 3 cups per day; for the pressed juice, 30 gm

per day. f

LITERATURE

Franz G, Kapuzinerkresse (Tropaeolum majus L.) Portrait einer

Arzneipflanze. In: ZPT 17(4):255-622. 1996.

Frohne D, Pfander HJ, Giftpflanzen - Ein Handbuch fur

Apotheker, Toxikologen und Biologen, 4. AufL, Wiss. Verlags-

Ges. Stuttgart 1997.

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6

(Drogen): Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.