Take yourself back to a simpler time and the heady days of childhood. Jumping in puddles with no care, running free with little knowledge of the crazy world around you.

Simple pleasures were an absolute delight to the senses and enjoyment of the complete moment you were in was everything.

Perhaps a much loved memory is of growing and looking after your first plant. The pure joy at seeing a tiny shoot peeping through the brown soil, the thrill of watching it grow taller and stronger and eventually burst into bloom.

MS Guardio is writing a series of short articles about the healing properties some plants, flowers and foods at this time of pandemic and national crisis. 

The Nasturtium is a simple flower with bold petals and lilypad like leaves. Its official name is Tropaeolum, which means nose tweaker! What a cheeky name for a fun flower,

it just seems that this flower was made for kids! John Gerard, an English herbalist received Nasturtium seeds in 1597 from Europe and so the seeds were sown (pardon the pun!) for this popular flower to flourish in our gardens ever since.

The healing benefits of Nasturtium flower power

• antioxidants
• antibacterial
• antimicrobial,
• antifungal,
• hypotensive,
• expectorant and
• anticancer effects.

Nasturtium flower power is an amazing source of Vitamin C, which helps boost our immune system. A little like Echinacea, Nasturtium can, at the first sign of a cold, help fight off the dreaded lurgy! Nasturtium tea, taken with a little honey can ease coughs by loosening mucus and aids in clearer breathing.

Nasturtium also has wonderful antioxidant properties and, as such, Nasturtium is high in Phenolic compounds.

Phenolic compounds have a key role in defending against free radicals which bombard us on a daily basis. This can be used in the fight against cancer and also dementia.

As well as antioxidant properties, nasturtium has excellent antibacterial properties that can alleviate the symptoms of urinary tract infections.

Take the nasturtium flower power with a little horseradish and you will find an effective treatment that also prevents recurrence of the infection.

As can be seen in the Ammi and Lavender, nasturtium flower power can be used as fantastic hair tonic. Simmer the flowers in about a litre of water for 15 minutes and store in the fridge. This can then be used as an application that will help to boost your hair’s natural vitality.

It also has anti bacterial effectiveness which can treat dandruff. Whilst enjoying your tea you can be safe in the knowledge that it can help with improving your skin condition, thus providing an anti-aging effect.

Nasturtium flower power in the kitchen

What a fantastic way to encourage little ones in, not only the delights of flowers, but also cooking.

This is an engaging and fun way to gather together and create a delicious and colourful feast.

Nasturtium tastes similar to a peppery watercress and so lends itself very well to a garnish for salads.

For an alternative to capers, the freshly picked buds and seeds can be pickled. Add to the topping of a homemade pizza for a kick to the tomato sauce and enjoy an alfresco evening.
Another little idea is to make flower butter.

Finely chop the Nasturtium flowers and their leaves and mix into a small bowl of slightly warmed butter. Mould the butter into a cylinder, wrap in greaseproof paper and set in the fridge.

This butter makes an addition to steamed veggies. But perhaps the most intriguing use of your Nasturtium flower power butter is to spread onto fresh toast and add strawberry jam! Why not try this little treat on a Sunday morning with a steaming cup of tea in the sun. What a way to start your day!

Grow nasturtium flower power in your garden

Surprisingly, the nasturtium thrives in poor soil. You can create poor soil by adding fine gravel or grit. This also has the added benefit of creating excellent drainage, which the nasturtium loves.

Once growing, if you can see they are starting to crowd each other out you can simply dig some of them up and transplant elsewhere.

There are two types of nasturtium, probably the most exciting is the trailing variety. Ensure this flower has a trellis to cling onto and watch it climb and trail and burst its colours over your garden. You could also pop these into a hanging basket and watch them cascade.

Carefully goes it!

MS Guardio has also written about the healing properties of the oregano.

Above all, enjoy Nasturtium flower power!

A time to appreciate pure joy with family and friends, whether it be growing, eating or simply filling your eyes with pure sensory delight, its sure to evoke a sense of wonderment in all.