Black mustard

Black mustard is a plant. The seeds and the oil from the seeds are used to make medicine. Black mustard oil is used to treat colds, rheumatic pain in joints and muscles, and arthritis. The seeds of black mustard are used as an emetic, to reduce water retention or edema by increasing urine production and to increase appetite. Some people make a paste from the ground seeds of black mustard and warm water. This paste is wrapped in a cloth and the cloth is placed directly on the skin as a mustard plaster. This preparation is used to treat pneumonia, pleurisy, arthritis, lower back pain and aching feet. The leaves of black mustard are also used in the preparation of salads and other dishes. The seeds of black mustard are used as a spice in food. There are around 40 different species of the mustard plant. Three different types are generally used as a spice. Black must ard (Brassica nigra) has the strongest flavor. White mustard (Brassica alba) is the mildest variety and is traditionally used to make yellow mustard. Brown mustard (Brassica juncea), which has a dark yellow color and an intense flavor, is used to make Dijon mustard. It is easier to grow brown mustard than black mustard, which is why brown mustard seeds are now used instead of black mustard seeds in many mustard preparations.

How does black mustard work?

There is not enough scientific information available to say how black must ard might work for any disease. Black mustard contains chemicals that may initially reduce pain when applied to the skin. However, prolonged contact with the skin may cause skin irritation and a burning sensation.

How effective is black mustard?

There is insufficient scientific data to assess the effectiveness of black mustard for colds, rheumatic joint and muscle pain, arthritis, water retention and loss of appetite, when used as an emetic and in the form of a mustard plaster for pneumonia, painful lung conditions, aching feet and lower back pain. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of black mustard in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Black mustard is safe and harmless when used as a food such as mustard. However, there is not enough information to say whether black mustard is safe and harmless when taken as a medicine or applied to the skin.

There are some known side effects of black mustard. Ingesting large amounts of black mustard orally can damage the throat and cause other serious side effects including heart failure, diarrhea, drowsiness, difficulty breathing, coma and death. When applied to the skin, black mustard can cause skin blisters and other skin damage, especially if left on the skin for long periods of time.

Safety and side effects

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: The use of black must ard in medicinal quantities is not safe for pregnant women. Black mustard contains chemicals that can trigger menstrual periods and cause miscarriage. It is also best for breastfeeding women not to use black mustard as medicine, as not enough is known about possible effects on mother and breastfed baby.

Interactions

There is currently no information on interactions.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of black mustard depends on various factors such as age, health status and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for black mustard. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.