Nasturtium

Nasturtium consists of the above-ground parts, seeds or leaf of Tropaeolum majus L.  [Fam.  Tropaeolaceae], as well as preparations thereof in effective dosage.  

Pharmacological Properties, Pharmacokinetics, Toxicology

Benzyl mustard oil (benzyl isothiocyanate) obtained from Tropaeolum majus has, in vitro, a bacteriostatic, virustatic and antimycotic effect.  Mustard oil is accumulated and excreted mainly in the respiratory and urinary tract.  

External: hyperemic.  

Clinical Data

Recent medical and/or clinical reports are not available.  Old clinical data show efficacy for urinary tract infection and catarrh of the upper respiratory tract.  

1. Nasturtium herb, peppermint leaf, lady's mantle, couch grass, horsetail herb, dead nettle herb, meadowsweet, white dead nettle flower, alpine lady's mantle, white clover flower.
2. Nasturtium herb, peppermint leaf, lady's mantle, couch grass, silver weed, calendula flower, agrimony leaf, common avens root, alpine plantain herb, alpine lady's mantle, bearswort.
3. Nasturtium herb, meadowsweet herb, silver weed, knotweed, Ilex aquifolium leaf, dead nettle herb, meadowsweet flower, white dead nettle flower, oat straw, cleavers herb.
4. Nasturtium herb, arnica flower, valerian root, chamomile, salvia leaf, thyme, mullein, yarrow, common avens root.
5. Nasturtium seed, dandelion herb and root, kava kava root, bryony root, rusty-leafed rhododendron leaf.  
6. Nasturtium herb, dried yeast ( Saccharomyces bryonia ), echinacea herb and root, witch hazel leaf, night-blooming cereus, white cedar tips (arbor vitae), monk's hood herb, propolis.
7. Nasturtium herb, thyme, plantain herb, echinacea root, garden cress herb.
8. Nasturtium herb, Brassica oleracea , rosemary, St.  John's Wort, watercress, dandelion, menthol, camphor, citronella oil.
9. Nasturtium seed, dandelion herb and root, kava kava root, bryonia root, mountain laurel leaf, marsh tea, bittersweet stems, rusty-leafed rhododendron leaf.
10. Nasturtium herb, horseradish root, horseradish root oil, myrrh gum, 1 homeopathic component.  
11. Nasturtium herb, horsetail herb, birch leaf, squill, cocoa, Scotch broom herb, madder root, restharrow root, goldenrod herb, lovage root, saw palmetto fruit, guaiazulene.
12. Nasturtium, echinacea, 3 homeopathic components.  

Claimed Uses of the Above Combinations

1. Strengthening female organs, improvement of weak conditions.
2. Increase in defense capacity for catarrhs, halting invading infections.  
3. Care of sensitive urinary tract and bladder conditions.  
4. As tea for mouthwashes for periodontal inflammation, canker, dental fistula, ulceration of the gums, toothache, trigeminal pain.
5. Attrition and degenerative manifestations of the joints, rheumatic arthritis and muscular inflammations, lumbago, muscular myogelosis and abnormal conditions of muscular tone.  
6. Bacterial and thrush infections of the respiratory tract, infections of the lower urinary tract, cystitis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, irritable bladder.  
7. Bacterial and thrush infections of the respiratory tract, infections of the lower urinary tract, cystitis, pyelonephritis, prostatitis, irritable bladder, urethral catarrh.  
8. Rheumatism, neuralgic diseases.  
9. Chronic degenerative arthritis.
10. Influenza-like infections, inflammatory diseases of the tonsils, nose, paranasal sinus, tracheobronchitis, infections of the urinary tract.  
11. Biological protection for influenza by increase of the individual immune reaction against infectious agents.  

Contraindications

Not to be used for infants and small children.  

Oral use:

• gastric and intestinal ulcers, kidney diseases.  

Side Effects

Nasturtium contains benzyl mustard oil (benzyl isothiocyanate).  Benzyl mustard oil can cause skin and mucosal irritations.  Used internally, gastrointestinal disorders may occur.  One case of the occurrence of a transient, urticarial exanthem was reported after ingestion of mustard oil from nasturtium.  Benzyl mustard oil acts as a contact allergen if applied to the skin.  

None known.  

None known.  

None known.  

In older studies, mono-preparations of extracts were applied in daily dosages equivalent to 3 times 14.4 mg benzyl mustard oil.  The dosage for combinations depends on the contribution of the herb in the specific combination, which in each case must be documented.  

Overdosing can cause albuminuria, which apparently is due to damage to the glomerulus and tubulus system.  

None known.  

Based on the pharmacological properties, a qualitatively positive contribution to the effectiveness of combinations for supportive treatment of infections of the lower urinary tract, catarrhs of the respiratory system, as well as topical application for mild muscular pain can be assumed.  

None known.