Magic Health Benefits of Mustard
Monday, June 9th, 2008
Do you know mustard is used for more than just hot dogs and sandwiches. There are many health benefits of mustard and mustard seed.
Mustard is among the world’s favorites for flavor and health. Mustard is a member of the brassica clan, which makes it a kissing cousin to the cabbage, broccoli and radishes. Three main species are used for cooking. White or yellow seeded Sinais alba, formerly known as Brassica hirta, is believed to be native to the Mediterranean region. Brown-seeded B. juncea probably originated in the northwest India, and black seeded B. nigra is native to the Middle East and Asia Minor. All three have naturalized throughout most of North America.
The early Romans allegedly were among the first to prepare the spicy paste by mixing crushed seeds with the young, unfermented juice of wine grapes, known as “must” where present day “Mustard” comes from.
As medicine, mustard packs more than 40 restorative properties, from poultices and plasters to infusions, baths, liniments and antiseptic solutions. Ancient medical texts mention using mustard to treat pulmonary disease, congestion, bronchitis, weak appetite, constipation, digestive weakness, sore throats, toothaches, hiccups, snake and scorpion bites, skin rashes, rheumatism, arthritis, and many other aliments within the body.
Before the advent of aspirin, people made mustard plasters, also called poultices, and applied them to the body to relieve aches and pains. They also used mustard in baths, for the feet or the entire body to increase the blood flow to the inflamed tissue areas.
Here is a way to make you own mustard body products.
1. Mustard Plaster: 4 ounces of ground seed with warm water, for arthritis and other joint issue and pain.
2. Mustard Seed Body Scrub:
1/2 cup sweet almond oil
1 cup whole mustard seeds ground in a blender or food processor
5 drops Lemongrass essential oil
Combine the oil and mustard seed in a bowl and mix well. Add essential oil and combine well. To use, apply to dry skin using circular strokes to exfoliate the skin. Shower the scrub off with warm water once you have applied it to your selected areas of the body.
A little Mustard knowledge:
One pounds of mustard contains about 250,000 seeds.
Most of the mustard seeds used in Dijon, France are grown in the United States and Canada. Canada produces aout 90 precent of world’s supply of mustard seeds.
