Synopsis

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

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) has a long history of traditional use for skin infections, especially in European and South American herbal medicine. Traditionally, the leaves and flowers have been applied topically as poultices or used in washes to treat minor wounds, skin infections, and inflammatory skin conditions. The plant contains compounds such as glucotropaeolin, which can be hydrolyzed to release benzyl isothiocyanate—a compound known to have antimicrobial properties in vitro. However, while laboratory studies have reported some antibacterial and antifungal activity of nasturtium extracts, clinical evidence supporting its efficacy for treating skin infections in humans is sparse. Most of the support for its use comes from ethnobotanical records and historical texts rather than robust clinical trials. As such, the evidence supporting nasturtium for skin infections is primarily traditional, with some weak scientific rationale provided by laboratory studies but lacking high-quality human data. Therefore, its use is best considered as complementary or supportive based on tradition rather than established medical practice.

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