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Herbs & Cultures
Image of Brown mustard

Asia · Herb · № 341

Brassica juncea

Region
Asia
Origin
Asia (Central Asia, Himalayas), Europe (south)
Sanskrit
Rajika
Other names
Sareptamosterd
Traditions
Ayurveda, Unani medicine, Western herbal medicine
3 traditionsImage: Dalgial · CC BY-SA 3.0

Herb · Asia

Brown mustard

Brassica juncea

Traditionally attributed effects: plant bitter, mildly laxative, tonic; oil stimulating and skin-irritant, antiseptic; for chest complaints in children, muscular rheumatism, stiff neck, inflammation and nerve pain, abdominal cramps, persistent vomiting.

Safety notes

Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Preparation

Seed powder 1–3 g; oil externally (with camphor as a liniment); mustard plaster with cold water, max. 10 minutes on the skin.

Use in traditions

Described in the Ayurvedic materia medica and Ayurveda in the kitchen and daily care. Sanskrit name: Rajika. Mustard oil is the main cooking oil in northern India and Bengal and is used for baby massage. The seeds are fried in oil until they pop. In Europe mustard plasters (sinapisms) were laid on the chest for colds.

Applications

Use by tradition

How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.

Ayurvedic materia medica

Attributed effects

Plant bitter, mildly laxative, tonic; oil stimulating and skin-irritant, antiseptic; for chest complaints in children, muscular rheumatism, stiff neck, inflammation and nerve pain, abdominal cramps, persistent vomiting.

Preparation and amount

Seed powder 1–3 g; oil externally (with camphor as a liniment); mustard plaster with cold water, max. 10 minutes on the skin.

Ways to prepare herbs
Salve and balmPowder and kitchen
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