The mustard plant is related to broccoli, cabbage, and Brussel sprouts. Mustard seeds are a crop that grows in winter. Mustard is tiny round seeds that are taken from a fruit pod they are encased in. They are measured in 1 mm of diameter.
Mustard seeds are available in three forms generally- White, brown, and black seeds.
White mustard belongs to the plant family Brassicaceae. Light in color and bigger in size this seed gives a mildly pungent taste. Black mustard is native of Southeast Asia and is the sharpest and pungent in taste.
Whereas, brown mustard is largely grown in India, Canada, and Ukraine. Black mustard is sharper in taste in comparison to the other two.
Rai is the most common name for mustard seeds in India.
Language | Name | Written as |
---|---|---|
Arabic | khardal | خردل |
Bengali | Sariṣā | সরিষা |
Gujarati | Sarasava. Rai | સરસવ,રાઈ |
Hindi | sarason | सरसों |
Kannada | Sāsive | ಸಾಸಿವೆ |
Malayalam | kaṭuk | കടുക് |
Marathi | Mōharī | मोहरी |
Punjabi | Rā’ī | ਰਾਈ |
Tamil | Kaṭuku | கடுகு |
Telugu | Āvāla | ఆవాల |
Urdu | Sarsav | سرسوں |
Sanskrit | sarSapa | सर्षप |
Nutritional profile per 100 gms
Source: USDA & Google
Mustard does not just have culinary uses, but also medicinal benefits too. And many research has been undertaken in this area to find more about the medical advantages of mustard.
It contains a healthy amount of plant nutrients called glucosinates. These glucosinates break into isothiocyanates that help to produce enzymes in mustard seeds. It helps in preventing various cancer such as bladder and cervical cancer. Besides, according to a journal about Human & Experimental Toxicology, mustard might be possessing the chemopreventive potential and protects from harmful effects of cancer cells.
Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Mustard oil has been proved beneficial in cardiac problems. The use of mustard oil has provided positive results in the reduction of cardiac pattern disorder. There is also a decrease in the chest pains caused due to it.
Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Plaster or poultice made from mustard is very effective for pain relief. So when it is applied as a plaster it helps relieving from muscular pain. However, a linen sheet is advised to use to avoid blistering when applied on the naked skin due to its warmness.
Source: Pubmed Central
They have emetic properties. It means that it can make you vomit. It can help you to repulse the effect of the poison.
Source: Natural Healers
It possesses anti-bacterial properties. These help with curing ringworms on the skin. Applying mustard paste topically on the skin and washing it with warm water will have a valuable effect on ringworms.
Source: Natural Healers
Bile acid is an acid made by the liver to break the fats. Mustard greens consist of binding these acids. This acid is made with cholesterol, so it will help in regulating it.
Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Mustard seeds are safe for consumption yet it may or may not have certain side effects.
They have a heating tendency. So one must be cautious while using it on the skin or let it not have interaction with the eyes.
Mustard seeds and leaves contain Goitrogens. Goitrogens can interrupt the production of thyroid hormones in our body. So it is advisable to cook the seeds before consumption and consult with a medical professional prior if you are suffering from thyroid.
Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Yes, we can eat mustard seeds. It is widely used in culinary dishes and has a bitter and sharp taste.
It is a condiment people use to add flavor. It is made from seeds and plants of mustard.
It contains selenium in them. Selenium is a chemical that is essential for our system. It is an anti-oxidant and helps prevent memory loss diseases like Alzheimer’s and mental decline.
Source: ods.od.nih.gov
These help keep your skin hydrated. They also remove impurities and help to prevent acne. Moreover, it reduces inflammation in the body because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
Source: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
These seeds are usually optimized in cooking. You can use it in the sauce as a condiment with food. Or you can use it while cooking any dish. Besides, you can also use it as a face pack for skin or on muscles to reduce pain.
If you want to eliminate the bitterness from the mustard seeds add salt to it and keep it for a day before using it. The bitterness will fade away from it after a day or two.
The difference lies in the flavor of both the seeds. Black mustard seeds possess a sharp pungent taste. Whereas, yellow mustard seeds come in mild flavor.