🌸 Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Nasturtium has traditionally been used as both a culinary herb and a medicinal plant. When its tissues are crushed, compounds called glucosinolates can break down into isothiocyanates, including benzyl isothiocyanate (BITC). These compounds have demonstrated antimicrobial activity in laboratory research.
Some studies have investigated nasturtium preparations in relation to urinary and respiratory infections, as well as oral bacteria. However, evidence from laboratory and small clinical studies is not enough to consider nasturtium a replacement for prescribed antibiotics.
💡 Conventional antibiotics can sometimes affect the diversity of the gut microbiome, but they remain essential and potentially life-saving for many bacterial infections. The goal is not to replace effective treatment with herbs, but to understand which plant compounds may have useful antimicrobial properties.
🌸 How to Make a Nasturtium Glycerite
You’ll need:
🌿 Fresh nasturtium leaves
🥄 Food-grade vegetable glycerin
🫙 A clean glass jar
1️⃣ Harvest fresh, healthy leaves and rinse them thoroughly.
2️⃣ Pack the leaves into a clean jar.
3️⃣ Cover completely with vegetable glycerin.
4️⃣ Gently blend or crush the plant material to help release its compounds.
5️⃣ Close, label, and store in a cool, dark place for approximately 4–6 weeks, shaking regularly.
6️⃣ Strain thoroughly and transfer the glycerite to a clean amber bottle.
🌱 Why a glycerite?
Vegetable glycerin can be used as a non-alcoholic extraction medium and produces a naturally sweet preparation. The resulting extract is different from an alcohol tincture, and its concentration can vary considerably depending on the plant material and extraction method.
⚠️ Important: There is no well-established, evidence-based standard dose for homemade nasturtium glycerites, so a fixed number of drops should not be presented as a universal therapeutic dosage. Do not use a homemade preparation instead of antibiotics for a confirmed or suspected bacterial infection. If you have symptoms of a UTI, significant respiratory symptoms, fever, worsening pain, or other signs of infection, seek appropriate medical care.
