Nasturtium Mayskaya, Or Capuchin.

An annual herbaceous plant of the nasturtium family. The stem is creeping, branched. The leaves are thyroid-shaped, entire.

Blooms in July - August. The flowers are orange or red, solitary, located on long stalks. The fruit is a capsule divided into three lobes, each of which has one seed.

Ripens in September.

May nasturtium is common in the European part of Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia. The plant is widely cultivated as an ornamental.

Flowering branches serve as medicinal raw materials. They are harvested in the spring. Dry in the attic or in a dryer at a temperature of 40-50°C, spreading it in a thin layer and stirring occasionally. Store in cloth bags in a well-ventilated area for 1-2 years.

Nasturtium preparations have uroseptic, expectorant, coronary dilator and antitussive effects.

The juice of the plant is used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract (pyelonephritis), acute and chronic cystitis and nonspecific urethritis. Prescribe it 1 dessert spoon 3 times a day.

A decoction of the branches is used to treat acute and chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchial asthma and emphysema.

A good effect was noted when using decoction and juice as a means of dilating blood vessels and improving blood supply to the heart muscle, as well as for coronary heart disease.

To prepare the decoction, pour 1 tablespoon of chopped stems into 1 glass of hot water, boil in a water bath for 20 minutes, filter, cool and bring the volume to the original volume. Take 1/3 cup 3 times a day.

Nasturtium preparations are recommended to be used in the intervals between intensive antibiotic treatment.

In combination with nettle leaves and cinquefoil rhizome, nasturtium is used for hair loss, as its juice stimulates the activity of the hair follicle.

To prepare the lotion, 100 g of fresh nasturtium and nettle leaves and 10 g of well-chopped cinquefoil rhizome are poured into 500 ml of 40% alcohol and infused for 15 days, shaking frequently.

The tincture is rubbed into the scalp every other day. Do not allow liquid to get into your eyes.