Tropaeolum majus

Bloom of the Great nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)

The Great nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus ) is an ornamental and useful plant. The weitkriechende and occasionally climbing, herbaceous plant is perennial, but is often cultivated annuals, since it is sensitive to frost. It is the medicinal plant of the year 2013.

Description

The Great nasturtium forms prostrate, fleshy stems and is about 15 to 30 inches high. If it finds a suitable substrate, they can climb as petiole Ranker three meters high. The leaves are peltate, entire, the leaf blade is round to slightly kidney-shaped with a diameter of three to ten (sometimes up to 17) centimeters. From the petiole, which attaches in the center of the page, go from nine leaf veins.

The flowers are in the leaf axils, one at a six- to 13 -inch-long flower stalk. They measure three to six inches and are yellow, orange or red, often with darker spots. The five sepals are lanceolate and up to two inches long. The little curved spur measures about three inches. The two upper petals are entire, the lower three point at the transition from the narrow to the broad base of the front petal fringe on. The eight stamens are unequal in shape and not grow together. The composite of three carpels ovary carries a stylus, which ends in a three-part scar. The fruit disintegrates at maturity in three part -seeded fruits.

Origin

The Great nasturtium has emerged as hybrids. The parent species are unclear, they are from the western South America (Brazil, Peru), where they grow in meadows and other moist places. Even the Incas used the plant as a pain and wound healing agent.

Since 1684 the cultivation in Europe is documented. Linnaeus described it in 1753 in his work Species Plantarum and gave her the still widely accepted scientific name Tropaeolum majus.

Use

Use in the kitchen

Leaves, buds, flowers and seeds are edible and they recall the slightly peppery taste of watercress. Buds and immature seeds can be used as a spice, marinated or pickled in vinegar are used as capers. Leaves and flowers are usually served as a salad.

Use in herbal medicine

Nasturtium is also used in herbal medicine as it, inter alia, Mustard oils ( mustard oil glycosides ) which are bacteriostatic, virustatic and antimycotic. They are particularly rich in front of the family (Brassicaceae ) and related plants. Among the known members include horseradish, radish, mustard and cress. The mustard oil glycosides are known as phytochemicals, the plant for their own protection, for example, before feeding damage by pests or as a defense against pathogenic microorganisms produce.

Winter and Willeke discovered already in the 50s of the 20th century in the nasturtium the volatile, highly effective benzyl mustard oil, a substance with antibiotic activity with a broad antimicrobial spectrum. Studies show an antibacterial effect of Benzylsenföls from the nasturtium against Gram-positive ( Enterococcus and Staphylococcus ) and Gram- negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Haemophilus influenzae, Proteus mirabilis, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter spp.). Also, an antiviral effect of mustard oil from nasturtium could be observed. As early as 1958 has been proven in scientific studies of Winter and Willeke on exembryonierten egg under the influence of isothiocyanates from the nasturtium a strong inhibition of the replication of influenza viruses. The benzyl mustard oil also acts antimycotic in a variety of fungi and yeasts. Even budding fungi and other human pathogenic Candida species are highly sensitive.

Pharmacology

Pharmaceutically the fresh or dried herb of the plant is used. ( Tropaeoli herba ). The medicinal plant contains as an active ingredient the glucosinolate ( Senfölglykosid ) glucotropaeolin, produced by enzymatic cleavage of the benzyl mustard ( benzyl isothiocyanate ). In addition, ascorbic acid, flavonoids and carotenoids found. The ingredients have a relatively broad spectrum of activity against various bacteria, but in addition also virus and anti-fungal properties. Accordingly Capuchin Kress herb is used for internal treatment of bronchitis and sinusitis and to treat infections of the urinary tract. So far there no resistant bacteria have emerged. Externally, the plant is sometimes used as a circulation- promoting agent for mild muscle aches and bruises.

The Great nasturtium in autumn 2012 by scientists at the University of Würzburg selected ( " study circle evolutionary history of medicinal plants Customer") with reference to the information contained in their antibiotic mustard oils for "Medicinal plant of the year 2013 ".