Nasturtium seeds $3.50

Eco seeds are Open Pollinate or Non Read More

Eco seeds are Open Pollinate or Non Hybrid seed with no chemical coatings and GE 

Open pollinated means you can save seed from your own plants and expect it to
grow “true to type” - provided it hasn’t cross-pollinated.  Unlike the hybrid varieties popular today- seed from hybrids will not grow true to type - you have to buy new seed each year.

The nasturtium is a cheerful flower that does it all! This annual adds a pop of color to the garden, fights insect pests, and is even edible. It is also medicinal being antioxidant rich and has a flavorful kick! 

Nasturtium can be grown in pots, ground cover or in/around veg gardens to help fight garden pests- whilst attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies.  Nasturtium is a friend of beans, broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, kale, melon, pumpkin, and radish.

An important feature of all nasturtiums is their edibility! Nasturtiums’ leaves, flowers, and seedpods have a peppery, almost mustard-like taste, which makes them lovely as a salad garnish. The seedpods may also be pickled and used like capers.

Traditional uses of Nasturtium are in making teas and tonics to soothe sore throats and colds, and even using the flowers, seeds and leaves as natural antibiotics to help heal internal infections.

We know from recent research that nasturtium plants have numerous healing properties due to containing antioxidants, vitamins, trace elements and bioactive compounds that can help support the immune, respiratory and digestive systems.  Such as:

*Good Source of  Vitamin C

The green leaves and flowers of nasturtiums are rich in antioxidants and other nutrients, including vitamin C. According to some studies, the flowers contain about 130 milligrams of vitamin C per 3.5-ounce serving, which is a similar amount to nutrient-dense parsley.

Additionally, Tropaeolaceae plants are a good source of essential nutrients, including potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, manganese, copper, zinc and iron.

*High in Antioxidants, Including Lutein

Where these plants really shine is their impressively high supply of the antioxidant called lutein, which is associated with protection against free radical damage and support for eye and skin health. Nasturtium can contain up to 45 milligrams of lutein per 100-gram serving, which is considered to be among the highest amount found in any edible plant/herb.

There’s evidence indicating that plants belonging to the family Tropaeolaceae also have high ORAC scores and contain trace elements and bioactive compounds, “which can be easily absorbed by the human body.” The flowers and other parts of the plants not only contain essential vitamins and minerals, but also bioflavonoids (such as myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol derivatives) and beta-carotene (a form of vitamin A).

Antioxidant activity of these plants seems to be due to high contents of compounds such as anthocyanins, polyphenols and vitamin C. These make them beneficial for the treatment of conditions affecting the respiratory and digestive systems, as well as the skin when applied topically.

Erucic acid, a type of omega-9 fatty acid, is another beneficial compound found in nasturtium seeds. It acts as a natural lubricant and can be used in dermatology treatments to help treat symptoms affecting skin and hair, since it has hydrating and emollient effects.

*May Have Natural Antibacterial and Anti-Inflammatory Effects

According to a number of studies, the essential oil (the extract from the flowers and leaves) and the compounds isolated from various parts of these plants have natural antimicrobial, antifungal, hypotensive, expectorant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects.

Studies have shown that the leaves specifically possess natural antibiotic properties that may be able to help people coping with illnesses and infections, such as respiratory infections, congestion, coughs, bronchitis and colds. In traditional herbal medicine, certain species are also used to treat urinary tract infections.

In Germany, physicians are even allowed to prescribe an herbal antibiotic made with nasturtium and horseradish root to treat acute sinusitis, acute bronchitis und acute urinary tract infections.

Part of the antibacterial effects of these plants is due to the presence of volatile oils, such as myristicin, α-terpinolene and limonene, the main components found in the stems, seeds and leaves. Studies have found that these compounds demonstrate natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and seem capable of helping fight off a variety of illnesses.

Seed packets contain sowing and growing information & indicates companion plants and crop rotation guidelines.

Supplied by an Organic Farm NZ Certified. We source and support NZ & Certified Organic seed growers.