Nasturtium, Watercress

Nasturtium Aquaticum; Classically called Sysimbrium
Picture Nasturtium aquaticum
Ortus Sanitatis, Meydenbach, 1491

Picture Hortus Eystettensis, 1613

Picture Flora von Deutschland (14), Kohler, 1883

Botanical name:


Nasturtium officinale (syn. N. aquaticum, Sisymbrium nasturtium)

Parts used:


Herb (preferably fresh); sometimes the Seed

Temperature & Taste:


Warm, dry. Pungent

Classifications:


3O. MASTICATORIES & STERNUTATORIES
4f. SPLENETIC    4k. ARTHRITIC

Uses:


1. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
-Promotes Urine: used against Stones and Slime (Damp); Edema
-Opens obstructions of the Liver and Spleen

3. Clears Phlegm, Stops Cough:
-Cough, Bronchitis (Commission E); Catarrh
-Asthma
-Seed was also used for Phlegm, Cough and Asthma

4. Warms the Stomach:
-promotes Appetite and Digestion
-indigestion, poor appetite

5. Promotes Menstruation
-Amenorrhea, Dysmenorrhea

6. Traditionally for Scurvy
-important traditional medicine for Scurvy

7. Externally:
-Arthritis;


Dose:


Herb in Decoction: 9–20 grams dried; 15–30 grams fresh
Seed in Powder: 1–3 grams
Picture

Main Combinations:


1. Cough, Asthma:
i. Watercress with Licorice, Hyssop, Bitter Almond, Radish seed (as in Electuary for Asthma)
ii. Watercress seed with Pine nut, Licorice juice, Sweet Almond,  Hyssop, Maidenhair, Orris, Elecampane (Electuary for the Lungs)
2. Catarrh, Swollen Liver, Syphilis, Arthritis, Jaundice, Rheumatism and visceral obstructions, Watercress with Soapwort, Mother of Thyme and Centaury
3. Stomach and Liver Weakness, Watercress with Triphala, Nutmeg, Black Pepper, Ginger, Indian Spikenard (as in Triphera Minor of Mesue)
4. Cold and Weak Kidneys, Impotence, Watercress with Elecampane, Black Pepper Cinnamon, Niter, Rocket, Leek seed (as in Antidote for Cold Kidneys and to Excite Libido of Nicholas)
5. Difficult Urination in men, make a decoction of Water Cress; apply as a Cataplasm over the pubis and sit in the decoction of it as a hip bath. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)
6. Scurvy,. Scurvy-Grass with China root, Watercress, Rocket (Memorial Pharmaceutique, 1824)
7. Melancholy, Watercress,. Scurvy-Grass, Scarlet Pimpernel, Wormwood, Wild Rue, decoct and aromatize with Cinnamon (Herbarium Horstianum, 1630)
8. Cancer: ‘the famous empirical Antii-Cancerous Nostrum of Count Mattaei is said to have consisted of Sedum acre (Betony stone-crop), the Sempervivium tectorum (House Leek), Sedun telephium (Lifelong), the Matricaria (Feverfew), and Nasturtium (Watercress).’ (Herbal Simples, Fernie, 1897)

Major Formulas:


Electuary of Aloeswood (Diaxyloaloes) (Mesue)
Electuary for Asthma (2) (De morbis internis curandis, 1551)
Electuary for the Lungs (Lemery)
Triphera Minor (Triphera Phoenonis, Triphera Minus) (Mesue)
Triphera of the Saracens (Triphera Saracenica Magna)
Antidote for Cold Kidneys and to Excite Libido of Nicholas)

Cautions:


1. Not used in Heat and Inflammation of the Stomach or Kidneys

Main Preparations used:


Dehydrated Juice, Distilled Water and Spirit of the Herb