|  Botany
An floating aquatic plant, with very
branched creeping stems. The leaves are erect and pinnate; the upper
ones with 3 to 7 pinnules and a terminal one, the lower ones cut into
3 repand segments. Flowers are white, borne in short racemes. Petals
are longer than the sepals.
Distribution
Abundant in shallow waters and small
streams in the Trinidad valley, Benguet areas, at altitudes of about
1,300 meters. The pods is 1.2 toi 2.5 cm long, stalked and spreading,
or bent upward. Seeds are small and 2-seriate.
Parts utilized
Seeds
Chemical constituents and properties
• A good source of calcium;
a fair source of iron.
• Antiscorbutic; rich in vitamins A and C; fair in vitamin D.
• Contains an essential oil, the principal substance of which
is phenylpropionic acid nitrite.
• It also contains a glucoside, gluconastutiin.
• Considered antiscorbutic, diuretic, expectorant, hypoglycemic,
odontalgic, purgative, stimulant, stomachic.
• Contains specific indoles that help in disposing of excess estrogen;
heavy cooking destroys these indoles.
• Contains phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a compound known
for cancer-preventive properties. source
Uses
Folkloric
Bruised leaves and juice, used as
a facial lotion to remove blotches, spots and blemishes.
Used for tubercular patients.
Also used as a stimulant and aphrodisiac.
Freshly expressed juice used for chest and kidney complaints, externalluy
for skin irritations and inflammations.
Used as hair tonic, believed to promote hair growth.
Poultice of leaves used for lymphatic swellings.
Culinary
Edible: leaves, seeds.
Leaves, raw or cooked.
Used as garnish and condiment.
Seeds are powdered and used as mustard. Adding water to the powdered
seed activates the enzyme, myrosin. acting on the glycoside, sinigrin,
to produce a sulphur compound. Mixing hot water, vinegar, or salt inhibits
the enzymatic reaction and produced a milder but bitter mustard. source
In Iran, used as a cardioprotective
agent.
Studies
• Cardioprotective
/ Hypolipidemic: Study of the hydroalcoholic extract
of N officinale on rats lowered total and LDL cholesterol and triglicerides
while raising serum HDL lvels. Results shows a cardioprotective effect
and supports a basis for medical application.
• Antioxidant / Lipid Benefits:
Study showed the extract of NO has notable scavenging activity against
DPPH radicals and potent reducing power. It reduced Total and LDL cholesterol
while increasing HDL levels. Results suggest the lipid effect could
be due to its antioxidative potential.
• Hepatoprotective:
Study of the alcoholic extract of N officinale showed it significantly diminished acetaminophen-induced liver damage in a rat model.
• Platelet Aggregating Effect:
Study of the the plant extracted with 50% ethanol showed a more potent platelet aggregating effect than the aqueous extract suggesting the platelet aggregation activating constituent may be more ethanol soluble than water soluble.
• Anti-Tuberculosis Activity:
In a study evaluating nine plants used in Mexican traditional medicine to treat tuberculosis, Nasturium officinale showed the best activity against sensitive Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Availability
Wild-crafted.
Cultivated.
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