Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) has a long-standing history in traditional herbal medicine, especially in Europe and South America, where it has been used for its purported antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. Historically, the leaves, flowers, and seeds have been applied topically or consumed to support the healing of minor wounds, skin infections, and abscesses. The traditional rationale is primarily based on Nasturtium's content of mustard oil glycosides (glucosinolates), which are thought to possess mild antibacterial activity. Folk medicine texts and herbal manuals from the 19th and 20th centuries occasionally mention its use as a poultice or wash for infected skin lesions, including abscesses.

However, direct scientific studies specifically evaluating Nasturtium’s efficacy for abscesses are lacking. Most available research focuses on its general antimicrobial effects in vitro, not on clinical outcomes for abscesses. Some clinical and laboratory data support the antimicrobial properties of Nasturtium extracts, but these findings have not been directly translated into proven effectiveness for treating abscesses in humans. As such, while there is a reasonable traditional basis for its use in this context, robust scientific validation and high-quality clinical evidence are currently absent. The evidence rating reflects the predominance of traditional use over scientific validation for this particular indication.

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