Mustard Seed Benefits

How Mustard seed benefits were found?

Mustard seeds have different varieties, which belong to same genus Brassica and family Brassicaceae. White (Brassica alba), brown (Brassica juncea) and black (Brassica nigra) are the commonly available Mustard seed varieties. Asia, United States, Canada, many European countries like Greece, Rome, Eastern Meditarrian, Hungary, Britain, and the Middle East extensively use mustard seed for cooking and traditional medicinal practice purposes. Mustard seeds have a unique sharp aroma. [1]

Centuries ago, Mustard seeds have a special place in both Indian and Chinese folk medicinal cultures for treating both internal and external disorders. But this practice gradually spread to North American and European countries.  [2]

What are the phytochemicals present in the Mustard seed?

The phytochemical composition of brown mustard seeds includes glyceride esters, glucosinolates, sterols, and fatty acids. [2]

The detail phytochemical screening of Mustard seeds found that flavonoids, anthraquinones, myrosin,  glycosides, inosite, alkaloids, sinigrin, sinapine, and volatile oils are present in it. Phenolic compounds like gallic acid, quercetin, rutin, caffeic, and ferulic acid are also present in Mustard seeds. Carbohydrate, albumin (protein), gum and coloring matters are other nutritional compositions of Mustard seeds.[3]

What is the mode of action of Mustard seed benefits?

The phytochemicals and phytonutrients present in mustard seeds mainly exert different mechanisms of action to cure and prevent different diseases.

• Phytochemicals like glucosinolates and mirosinase along with selenium present in mustard seeds have potent anti-oxidant property, which restricts cancerous growth.
• Mustard seeds are good mineral sources. Selenium and magnesium content of these seeds help to prevent deficiency disorders occurs due to lack of selenium and magnesium dietary supply.
• Mustard seeds expel out mucus from the respiratory tract to able to ease breathing. This helps to cure bronchitis and exaggeration of asthma.
• Mustard seeds facilitate bowel movements and improve colon health.
• Iron, magnesium, copper, and selenium content of mustard seeds have anti-hypertensive and prevention of osteoporosis in menopausal women.
• Mustard seeds are effective to control skin infection occurs due to fungal attack. Sulfur, carotene, lutein, and vitamins present in mustard seeds have antifungal property. Mustard seeds also used as skin scrubber for improving skin quality due to its antioxidant property. Ringworm is a fungal infection and able to treat this infection and prevent transmission of the infection.
• The oil extracted from Mustard seeds is an effective remedy against hair fall, as the application of this oil gives hair nourishment substances like proteins, vitamins, and fatty acids.
• The analgesic property of Mustard seeds able to provide pain relief from backbone pain, muscular aches, and muscle spasms.
• Mustard seeds act as a detoxifier by relieving the congestion. It cleanses alcohol and narcotics.
• Neuronal damage is reduced by mustard seeds ingestion as it initiates nerve impulse to heal the damage site.
• Mustard seeds reduce nerve damage by stimulating nerve impulses to initiate healing effects.
• Mustard seeds neutralize free radicals, lower lipid peroxidation and prevent oxidative stress.
• Mustard seeds also have a beneficial effect against diabetes by stimulating glucose metabolism and lower blood glucose level.
• Mustard seeds produce isothiocyanate by breaking down glucosinolates and exerts an anti-cancer effect. The anticancer property of Mustard seeds decreases the colorectal and gastrointestinal tract cancer risk. [1]

What are the different forms of Mustard seed?

There are three different forms of Mustard seeds are available:

• Black mustard seeds: highest pungency due to maximum allyl isothiocyanate constituents.
• Brown Indian mustard seeds: Moderate pungency with primary ingredient glucosinolate, sinigrin.

• White/yellow mustard seeds: Lower pungency than other two forms with primary ingredient glucosinolate, sinalbin.  [4, 5]

MUSTARD SEED USES

In traditional and folk medicine practice, Mustard seeds have been used as a diuretic, stimulant, and purgative to treat a variety of diseases like peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum) and neuralgia (neuronal pain). Mustard seeds  also used to treat chest congestion, muscular ache, rheumatism, back pain, arthritis, etc. [2]

Different scientific research studies had shown that Mustard seeds have multiple medicinal properties, such as antihyperlipidemic, antihyperglycemic, and antihypercholesterolemic activities, which is effective against diabetes, cardiac disorder, and other chronic health issues.

INFECTION CONTROL

Both animal and human trial reports reported that Glucosinolates, the bioactive phytochemicals present in mustard seeds have antibacterial, antifungal and insecticidal, effects. [2] The potent antioxidant and antibacterial activity effective against four pathogenic bacteria, including K. pneumonia, E. coli, Ps. Aureogenosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. [3]

ANTIEPILEPTIC EFFECT

Mustard seeds significantly reduce seizure attack for patients having Tonic and Clonic epilepsy.  Animal study researchers reported that Mustard seeds could provide anti-epileptic effect probably by restrains voltage dependant sodium ion channels or by blocking glutaminergic excitation.

ANTIDIABETIC EFFECT

Mustard seeds can correct the carbohydrate metabolism by restoring key regulatory enzyme, which helps to maintain a balance between glucose and glycogen. The therapeutic benefit of Mustard seeds against diabetes could be occurred due to insulin release from the pancreas and alter the glucose metabolism enzyme activities to normal levels. Thus, this herbal ingredient can help to create a homeostasis in the liver and kidney. [2]

GASTRIC HEALTH IMPROVEMENT

In oral consumption, mustard seeds have a stimulating property that acts as an appetizer. It increases gastric activity and promotes digestion. But a large amount of Mustard seeds consumption can cause extreme gastric irritation and may induce vomiting. [3]

Anticancer activity

This phytochemical of mustard seeds also exerted chemoprotective capacities in many cancers. [2]

ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY

Mustard seeds have anthelmintic property against Pheretima Posthuma and Ascardia Galli. This herbal ingredient causes paralysis and death of intestinal worms. [3]

CARDIAC AND RESPIRATORY ACTIVITY

Mustard seeds have also cardiac and respiratory stimulant activity by improving reflex action. This herbal remedy usually recommended for individuals face sudden faint. This herb provides force to activate these organs. [3]

MUSTARD SEEDS SIDE EFFECTS

Overconsumption of Mustard seeds may provide the following side effects:

Hypersensitive patients may experience an allergic reaction and skin irritation.

Overdose of Mustard seeds interferes with thyroid gland functioning due to the present of goitrogen compounds.

Individuals who have frequent kidney stones formation probability should avoid excessive mustard seeds consumption, as it can obstruct the calcium absorption due to the presence of oxalates in the seeds.

People should cautiously apply mustard seed paste plaster to cure chronic pain relief. Prolong application of mustard seed paste plaster can cause skin burning sensation and damage nerve tissue. A case study reported that an older aged female patient (71 years age) had experienced skin burning and rashes on her knee joint after applied scattered pulverized mustard seeds with petroleum jelly combination. She felt skin erosion after 24 hours and clinician observed second degree burn on the site of application. The clinician recommended silver sulfadiazine cream to treat the burn area. Therefore, individuals need to take precaution when they applied Mustard seeds directly to the skin tissue. [2]

References

1.  Mustard Seeds in Ayurvedic Medicine Interventions Obes Diabetes. 2(4)
2. Brassica Nigra. ScienceDirect
3. Ali Esmail Al-Snafi. THE PHARMACOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF BRASSICA NIGRA  AND BRASSICA RAPA  GROWN IN IRAQ. Journal of Pharmaceutical Biology, 5(4), 2015, 240-253. 
4. Hrideek T K. Mustard. Herbs and Spices, Edition: first, Chapter: 12.
5. Mustard Seed