The mustard is a well - known oil seed. The taste of this seed is bitter and pungent. Black mustard is a native of Eurasia.

The plant is cultivated as a field crop in temperate countries. It is a small annual plant which grows upto a height of one meter with some branches. It has round stem with long internodes, simple, alternate and very soft yellowish green leaves. The fruit is a pod of about 2.5 cms long containing seeds that have no smell, but when pounded and moistened with water, they emit a peculiar pungent flavor.

The mustard seeds are used as condiment throughout India. The seeds yield 28% of a fixed oil which is used in medicine and soap making. The seeds also contain 1% of a volatile oil which is used as a counter irritant when greatly diluted. The oil extracted from the seeds is used in North India as hair oil, as a cooking medium for frying and other cooking purposes. It is also used in pickles and salad dressings. In Punjab, Delhi and Western, UP the leaves of this plant are used as a vegetable.

Natural Benefits and Curative properties -

Mustard seeds as well as their oil is used in many prescriptions for the treatment of various aliments:
1. White mustard seeds can be used beneficially as a beauty aid. A handful of these seeds are roasted in a liter of Coconut oil. The oil is then strained and cooled. This preparation when applied over face at bedtime helps in curing pimples and in lightening the complexion.Ground nuts or groundnut products are useful in the treatment of hemophilia, and inherited blood decease, which causes hemorrhage. It is also useful in nose bleeding and incases of excessive bleeding during menstruation in women.

2. Mustard oil boiled with henna leaves is useful for the healthy growth of hair. Mustard seeds have emetic properties which cause vomiting. A teaspoonful of seeds, mixed in a glassful of water can be taken to induce free vomiting in 5

3. Mustard paste as an external application is highly beneficial in the treatment of ring worm. This paste should be applied after washing the skin with sufficient hot water.

4. Oil of mustered seeds is very valuable in curing the dryness of the skin. It also sooths the burnt skin.

5. A few drops of oil of mustered seeds mixed with salt work as an excellent tooth Powder for removing the dental plaque.

(Compiled by Seema Ghildiyal)