Health benefits of mustard oil

Mustard or Sarson seeds are specially used for the oil purposes all over the India as well as abroad however some other parts of the mustard plant are also used for eating purposes in India. The cooked vegetable of green leafy mustard is very famous dish of the India and known as the “Sarson de Saag”. Mustard seeds are used as spices to cook special vegetables to increase taste and flavor.
Mustard seeds are the small, rounded and yellow colored spice cultivated in many regions of the world. Mustard seeds are found in three varieties such as black, brown and white mustard. Mustard oil is a special part of the mustard which is also known as the Sarson ka tel and used for multiple purposes like body massage, hair growth, cooking and lots of ritual purposes in India. Countries producing high amount of mustard seeds are India, Canada, Great Britain, Hungary, United States, Pakistan and etc.As the name suggests, mustard oil is a fatty vegetable oil extracted from the mustard seeds. It is dark yellow in color and slightly pungent. There are generally three types of mustard oils depending upon the manner of extraction. The first is a fatty vegetable oil obtained by pressing the mustard seeds. The second one is a essential oil that is made by grinding the seeds, mixing them with water and extracting the oil through distillation. The third process involves infusing mustard seed extract with other vegetable oils such as soy bean oil. All three categories of oil have a pungent nutty taste and a strong aroma.
Benefits of Mustard/Sarson Seeds Oil
Mustard seeds are used to produce dark yellowish mustard oil which contains fatty acids and proteins. Mustard oil is produced by three different processes such as grinding, extraction and infusion processes. Mustard is used in many ways in the Indian recipes according to the needs and requirements. It is the rich source of both omegalpha-3 and omegalpha-6 fatty acids including vitamin E, antioxidants, minerals and etc which helps in the properly nourishing the body. All forms of the mustard have lots of nutritional health benefits which are mentioned in this article.
Mustard oil has had contradictory reputations in different parts of the world over the years. It is a very popular oil on the Indian Subcontinent, specifically in the Eastern parts of India and in Bangladesh. There, it is used as an edible oil and is considered very healthy, whereas in the rest of the world, it is often considered toxic, irritable and not suitable for edible purposes. In some parts of Europe, there is even a ban on selling this oil and in some other countries; it is sold as a massage oil reserved for external application only.
Being an edible oil, mustard which is also known as the ‘Sarso Ka Tel’ or ‘Sarson Ka Tel‘ in Hindi, ‘Aava Nune‘ in Telugu, ‘Kadugu Ennai‘ in Tamil, ‘Kedugenna‘ in Malayalam, ‘Rainu Nu Tel‘ in Gujarati, ‘Rai Da Tel‘ in Punjabi, ‘Mohariche Tel‘ in Marathi and ‘Sarsay Tel‘ in Bengali. It is widely used for cooking in northern, central, eastern and north eastern India. Unfortunately, it was considered unfit for consumption by countries like USA, Canada and European Union as it contained erucic acid which had adverse effect on rats. However, later it was proved that vegetable fat was less digested by rats and that consumption of this oil had no adverse effects on humans. Moreover, mustard oil is rich in non-saturated and unsaturated fats, and hence is beneficial for heart.



Cardiac Health
Incorporating mustard oil into your diet may help protect against heart disease, according to a study in the April 2004 issue of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition." The oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, both of which help lower bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol. Improving your cholesterol balance will also help lower triglycerides, or blood fat levels, which can in turn prevent obesity, kidney disease, and hyperthyroidism, in addition to improving heart health.
Anti-Bacterial
Mustard oil is thought to work as an antibacterial agent when taken both internally and externally, and as an antifungal when used externally. Internally, it can fight bacteria infections in the colon, intestines, and other parts of the digestive tract. Externally, it can treat both bacterial and fungal infections when applied directly to the skin. In fact, researchers from the Armed Forces Institute, reporting in the October 2004 issue of the "Journal of the College of Physicians and Surgeons" state that a 1 to 1 mixture of honey and mustard oil is effective at killing deApart from being a favorite in grandma’s kitchen, this oil forms a part and parcel of Indian tradition and culture. It is used for lighting ‘diyas’ in Diwali as well as in rituals performed in North Indian weddings. Being a rich source of omegAlpha3 and omegAlpha6 fatty acids, vitamin E and antioxidants, it is considered as one of the healthiest oils. It has been used in Ayurveda since times immemorial due to its healing and medicinal properties and is considered beneficial for hair, skin and body.
Beneficial During Asthma
Mustard oil is considered a natural remedy for asthma and sinusitis. In case of an asthma attack, massaging the chest with brown mustard oil instead of the usual vapor rubs can give relief as breathing in the vapor improves airflow to the lungs. You can also mix one teaspoon of sugar and one teaspoon of mustard oil and have a spoonful several times a day. Alternatively, swallow a mixture of one teaspoon of honey and mustard oil thrice a day. These remedies are effective in controlling asthma.
Stimulates Digestion: This oil is known as a stimulant and helps the intestine to produce digestive juices, which increase the peristaltic movement of the food, and hence the digestion process. Also the same process helps in increasing appetite by increasing production of gastric juices in our system.
Mustard oil is considered to be an oil that has low saturated fat as compared to other cooking oils. This pungent tasting oil is mostly used for cooking in parts of Gujarat, Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Orissa, Haryana and some other parts ofIndia. It basically consists of fatty acid, oleic acid, erucic acid and linoleic acid. It has antioxidant and cholesterol reducing properties. It is also loaded with essential vitamins. Though this oil is nutty tasting it is good for heart and also has many other benefits.
Boosts Healthy Blood CirculationExternally body massage with the mustard oil boosts up the blood circulation throughout the body and stimulates sweat glands to maintain the body temperature.
Increases Appetite



Good health depends upon a healthy appetite to a great extent. Mustard oil acts as an appetizer by stimulating the gastric juices in the stomach. It increases hunger by irritating the intestinal lining. Thus, those having poor appetite can consider using it as cooking oil.Balances Blood Cholesterol Level
It is rich in the monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which helps in balancing the blood cholesterol level thus reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Prevents from Cancer
It contains a compound called Glucosinolate which has anti-carcinogenic property thus hinders the growth of cancerous cells in the body.
It is phytonutrients rich spice protects from the colorectal, stomach and gastrointestinal cancers.
Stimulates Hair Growth
Massaging your scalp with mustard oil stimulates hair growth by increasing blood circulation in the scalp. It is packed with vitamins and minerals, particularly, a high amount of beta-carotene. This beta-carotene gets converted into vitamin A which is excellent for hair growth. Besides, it contains iron, fatty acids, calcium and magnesium, all of which promote hair growth.
Prevents from Respiratory Disorders
It is a good home remedy to treat the asthma, sinusitis, cold, cough and etc if massaged to the chest very well.
Benefits Of Mustard Oil For Hair

If you wish for long, thick and lustrous hair, then mustard oil is a good solution for a healthy mane. Be it consumption or application, mustard oil provides essential nutrients to the hair follicles for proper growth. Some of the benefits of mustard oil for hair are as follows
Not only for cooking food but also this oil has importance in North-Indiantradition. It is used for lighting 'diyas' during Diwali. It is also used in the ceremony called 'Mayian'. It is performed one day before the wedding at both bride's and bridegroom's place. Read on to know more about how mustard oil can prove beneficial in daily life.
Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: A recent comparative study done on varieties of edible oils revealed that mustard oil reduced the risk of Cardio vascular diseases by 70 percent, so mustard oil cuts down the risk of heart diseases if used in moderation by lowering cholesterol levels within the body.
Benefits of Mustard Oil For Skin
Mustard oil is extremely beneficial for skin and is often used in aroma therapy treatments. However, before applying it topically, it is advisable to do patch a test to ensure that you are not allergic to it. Moreover, cold pressed mustard oil should be considered for topical application. Some of the benefits of this oil for skin are as follows.



Lightens The Skin
In order to make your facial skin smooth, apply a mixture of mustard oil and coconut oil on your face and massage the area in circles for 5-6 minutes. Gently wipe your face with a smooth and wet cotton cloth. This will stimulate blood circulation, thus lightening your skin as well as getting rid of pimples.
Removes Tan And Dark Spots

Mustard oil is effective in removing tan and dark spots to give you a naturally glowing skin. For this purpose, prepare a face mask by mixing mustard oil, besan (Bengal gram flour), curd and a few drops of lemon juice and apply it on your face. Rinse with cold water after 10 to 15 minutes. This should be done thrice a week for best results.
Provides Relief from Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Its anti-inflammatory properties provide relief from the irritable bowel syndrome by 

soothing the stomach wall.
Treats Rashes And Infections
Due to its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, mustard oil is effective in treating rashes and other skin infections, thus preventing your skin from dryness, dullness and itching. A body massage with mustard oil rejuvenates and cleans your skin by increasing blood circulation. Besides, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it is effective in reducing skin inflammation and facilitates quick healing of cuts and wound
Relieves Inflammation
It also provides relief from the pain of rheumatic arthritis, arthritis and osteoporosis by nourishing the joints.
Relieves Joint Pain It has special minerals called selenium and magnesium which relieves the joint pain and skin inflammation.
Inhibits Bacterial, Fungal and Microbial Growth

It is a good anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-microbial agent as it contains glucosinolate and isothiocyanate which inhibits the bacterial, fungal and microbial growth.
Stimulates Sweat Glands
Whether consumed or applied topically, mustard oil stimulates the sweat glands and opens the pores of the skin. Thus, it helps in reducing the body temperature and removes unwanted toxins, water and salts from the body.Prevents from Insect-Borne Diseases
It is a very good mosquito repellent agent due to its sharp aroma nature thus prevents from many insect-borne diseases.
Slows Down Ageing Process

It helps in slows down the ageing process as it contains flavonoids and antioxidants like carotenes, zea-xanthins, lutein and vitamins like A, B, C and K.
Obstructs Cancer Cells Growth
It protects from the gastrointestinal cancer as it is packed with the amazing phytonutrients which obstruct the cancer cells growth.