Not just a pretty face … nasturtium’s are edible, add some colour to a salad, and also make a yummy pesto from the leaves. Click here for the recipe for Raw Nasturtium Pesto.
The flowers are full of Vitamin C, the leaves are full of Vitamin C, with the bonus of a peppery taste they can be used instead of rocket.
The leaves are a natural antibiotic and if chewed at the onset of a sore throat, can drastically reduce the severity of the infection.
In South America, the leaves are still used to treat bladder and kidney ailments, for colds, coughs, flu, sore throats and bronchitis.
Throughout the years, the leaves and flowers have been used as a cure for scurvy and blood disorders.
I haven’t tried this yet, but the dried seeds of nasturtium (and let’s face it if you are growing them, you know how many seeds they freely give you!), can be pickled in vinegar and used instead of capers.
The Nasturtium, not just a pretty face.
