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HERB ALLEY
Mustard
(Brassica nigra)
COMMON NAMES:
Black mustard.
MEDICINAL PART: Seed.
DESCRIPTION: Black mustard
is an annual plant widely cultivated and also found wild in many parts
of the world, including the fields and waste places of North America, except
the far northern parts. The branching, angular stem grows 2 to 7
feet tall and bears alternate leaves, the lower ones lyrately pinnatifid
and somewhat bristly, the upper glabrous, entire, and lanceolate.
Yellow flowers grow in terminal racemes from June to November. The
black seeds develop in bulgy, cylindrical pods which are closely pressed
to the stem.
PROPERTIES AND USES:
Appetizer, digestive, irritant. Black mustart is generally used wxternally
as an irritant to encourage blood flow toward the surface in cases of rheumatism,
sciatica, peritonitis, neuralgia, and various internal inflammations.
Black mustard can be taken internally in very small amounts to promote
appetite and stimulate the flow of gastric juices. Caution:
Large amounts or prolonged use of black mustard, internally or externally,
can cause serious irritation and inflammation; never let undiluted mustard
oil contact the skin. Mustard oil can be mixed with rectified alcohol
(1 part oil to 40 parts alcohol) and used as a lotion for gouty pains,
lumbago, and rheumatism. A black mustard footbath for clearing blood
congestion from the head, warming up cold feet, and lowering a fever in
the early stages can be made by steeping 3 to 4 ounces mustard powder in
a bag in warm water for 5 minutes. To make a stimulating bath for
the whole body, add to the bath water 2 quarts cold water in which 7 to
9 ounces mustard powder has been steeped.
Mustard is excellent
to put in a foot bath to draw the blood to the lower part of the
body in congestion of lungs, also to draw the blood from the head when
congested. An old fashioned remedy to produce vomiting. Steep
a teaspoonful of mustard in a large cup of boiling water. Stir well.
Let cool to luke warm. Drink all at one time. If this does
not produce vomiting, tickle the back of the throat with the finger.
Mustard oil is; strongly
antibacterial and anti-fungal but it can blister the skin. Mustard
warms and stimulates the digestive system. The seeds make an excellent
stimulating poultice (mixed with a soothing substance such as slippery
elm powder) for stubborn coughs and arthritis joints. Mustard foot
baths are good for poor circulation, chilblains, and upper respiratory
mucous.
PREPERATION AND DOSAGE:
Plaster: Mix mustard
powder with cold water to make a thick paste, then spread the paste on
a linen cloth. Put a layer of gouze over the affected area and then
lay on the mustard cloth. The skin will begin to burn. Leave
the mustard on until the burning becomes too uncomfortable. Thouroughly
clean any remaining mustard paste from the skin. Poeder the skin
with rice flour and wrap the area with dry cotton. The skin should
be back to normal in a few days. Do not use on sensitive areas.
For persons with sensitive skin, mix the mustard powder with rye flour
to reduce its effect.
