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MUSTARD


WHAT IS MUSTARD

It is an important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments. The botanical name for White and yellow mustard is Sinapis alba, Black mustard is Brassica nigra, and Indian mustard is Brassica juicea is which belongs to the Cruciferae (Brassicaceae) family. It is a culinary substance that is famous for its odor and carminative effect. 


What are the other names of MUSTARD in various languages

Hindi – Rai

Gujarati – Rai

Kannada – Sasave

Kashmir – Aasur

Malayalam – Kaduku

Punjabi – Rai

Banarasi – Keela sarson

Sanskrit – Asuri

Tamil – Kadugu

Telugu – Avalu

Urdu – Banarasi rai

Spanish – Mostaza

French – Moutarde

German – Senfsaat

Swedish – Senap Arabic

Chinese – Chieh

Japanese – Shiro Karashi


ORIGIN AND SOURCE OF MUSTARD

The white and yellow mustard is mostly found in Southern Europe, brown mustard from china and black mustards are found widely in the Southern Mediterranean region. The white mustard is cultivated in Australia, China, Chile, Denmark, Italy, Japan, United Kingdom, Netherlands, North Africa, Canada, and the USA.  It usually grows in clay loam soil and is cultivated during the rainy season from July to November in South India

It is an annual plant that grows at a height of 16cm and the yellow flowers grow like clusters of 2-12 flowers and the seeds are red to brown.

Part used: Seed, seed oil

Taste: Pungent and Bitter

Potency: Hot


CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN MUSTARD

On chemical compound analysis of the mustard, it includes

Mustard oil: glycerides of arachidic (0.5%), behenic (2-3%), eicosenoic (7-8%), erusic (40-60%), lignoceric (1-2%), linoleic (14-28%), oleic acid (20-22%), and myristic (0.5-10%)

Black mustard seed: (35-40%)  fixed oil and a glycoside known as sinigrin with an enzyme myrosin, Allyl isothiocyanate.

ACTIONS:

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Skin disease
  • Anti-oxidant
  • Digestive
  • Anti-pruritic
  • Fimugant
  • Diaphoretic
  • Anti-fungal
  • Anti-bacterial
  • Cardioprotective
  • Neuroprotective
  • Anti-arthritis
  • Anti-convulsants
  • Anti-pyretic 
  • Anthelmintic


TRADITIONAL AND MODERN VIEW OF MUSTARD

  • Mustard oil can reduce the risk of developing the cancer
  • In India, oil produced from mustard is applied to the scalp which is believed it helps to improve the growth of hair
  • Traditionally mustard oil and seeds are used to relieve muscle pain, rheumatism, and arthritic pain
  • The ground seeds of mustard act as a laxative improves the gastric mucosa and it also increases the secretion of the intestine


DOSAGE OF MUSTARD

The dose of the drug used according to physicians

Seed powder: 2-4g


PRECAUTIONS WHILE USING MUSTARD

  • The use of mustard oil in a patient with heart diseases should be avoided because mustard contains erucic acid which produces a harmful effect at high doses
  • Long-term use of mustard oil can affect your skin and cause blisters
  • Kindly avoid using this herb in patients during pregnancy because it contains chemical compounds which affect fetal growth.
  • Taking more amount of mustard may cause stomach and gastrointestinal irritation and it also causes thyroid problems which result in hyperthyroidism
  • Munnaka helps to reduce the blood sugar level, monitor the blood glucose level if you are taking any other anti-diabetic drug along with Munnaka

  • Munnaka helps to reduce the blood pressure, monitor the blood pressure if you are taking any other antihypertensive drug along with Munnaka


CONTRAINDICATIONS WHEN USING MUSTARD

Do not use this herb if you are allergic to the constituents of the Munnaka


BENEFITS OF MUSTARD

Polycystic ovary syndrome:

Mustard oil contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids which show a positive effect in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome and it also shows development in the tissues of the ovary

Weight loss:

Mustard oil contains mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids which help to reduce the triglycerides level in your body and also reduce the risk for developing obesity by reducing the metabolism of your body

Diabetes:

The use of mustard oil reduces the blood sugar level and prevent pancreatic cell damage and increases the secretion of insulin because mustard is rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acid and also it contains an antioxidant effect

Hair growth:

Applying the mustard oil to your scalp is the effective way to control hair fall and stimulate the growth of hair by opening the pores in the scalp and nourishes your hair

Grey hair:

Mustard contains monosaturated fat and Omega fatty acids which contain antifungal and antibacterial effects which result in increased melanin production and leads to concealing the grey color of hair

Arthritis:

The mustard oil gets absorbed into the skin and helps to get relief from stiff muscles, nerves, and ligaments and it also helps to decrease the pain and inflammation which is associated with arthritis

Cardioprotective effects:

Mustard contains certain chemical compounds which are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which are present along with Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. The presence of these acids helps to increase the HDL (good) cholesterol and decrease the LDL (bad) cholesterol which minimizes the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases

Cancer:

Mustard contains Glucosinolate which has an anti-carcinogenic activity that produces its action by suppressing the genes which help in the cancerous tumor formation. This phytonutrient gives protection against the gastrointestinal and colorectal cancers

Asthma:

According to Ayurveda, it is considered a natural therapy to treat asthma. Apply the mustard oil on your chest if you experience an attack of asthma this oil helps to improve the airflow to the respiratory tract and helps to breathe easily.

Decongestant:

As we discussed earlier, mustard oil contains certain chemical compounds which help to treat respiratory tract infections. The use of mustard oil helps to control cough and cold by applying the oil along with camphor on the chest which helps to breathe easily

Appetite:

The use of mustard oil helps to increase the appetite by stimulating the gastric juices in the stomach by producing its effect on the intestinal lining.


HOW CAN YOU ADD MUSTARD IN YOUR DAILY LIFE?

The Mustard comes in various formulations includes

Mustard oil for face:

Apply the mustard oil on the regular basis and you can also mix it with your face pack which makes your skin glow and reduce dullness

Mustard oil for acne:

Take the required amount of mustard oil and add a pinch of turmeric powder into it and 2 teaspoons of yogurt and mix it and apply this paste in the affected area to treat acne regularly 


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON MUSTARD

Is Mustard oil available in the market?

Yes, it is available in the market and it can be brought from online websites or ayurvedic medical stores.

How to store Mustard oil?

It should be stored in an airtight container and keep the medicines away from the heat and light and Do not keep the medicines reaching out to children

Is mustard oil good for massage?

Yes, massaging the mustard oil on the stomach area helps to treat enlargement of the spleen and it also prevents infection, cirrhosis.