The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies Medicinal Use: White mustard is antibacterial and
White Mustard, Sinapis alba
antifungal, digestive, diuretic, emetic, expectorant, rubefacient, and stimulant. It is used internally and externally.
White mustard belongs to the Brassicaceae (Mustard) family. It is mostly grown for its seeds or as fodder crop and is widespread. White mustard seeds are yellow in color and are also called yellow mustard. Brown and black mustards are different but also have medicinal uses.
Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Respiratory Diseases: The seeds of white mustard, pow-
Identification: White mustard is an annual herb, growing from 1 to 2 feet (0.3m to 0.6m) tall. It flowers from July to September. The white mustard flower has a yellow corolla, just over 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) in diameter with four petals that are 1/4 to 1/2 inch (0.75 cm to 1.25 cm) long. It contains four spreading sepals and six stamens (4 long and two short). The alternate leaves are stalked with a coarsely hairy leaflet. Its stems are branched and also hairy. Each leaf is irregularly pinnately lobed, with irregular sawtooth edges. The terminal leaflets are large and clearly lobed. The fruit of white mustard has many tiny round pale-yellow seeds.
Edible Use: The seeds, flowers, leaves and extracted oil are edible. I like to eat the young leaves in salads, and I sometimes cook the older leaves as a vegetable or potherb. The seeds make a spicy condiment or flavoring when finely ground.
dered and made into a poultice, are good for treating respiratory diseases. They act as an irritant to loosen phlegm and help expel mucus from the body. The poultice is applied to the chest and left in place until the skin reddens, then promptly removed. The mustard is an irritant and can cause blistering if left in place too long.
Poison Ingestion: Ground mustard seed, taken by mouth in quantity, can cause vomiting. You can use it to bring up poisons and other undesirable substances that have been ingested. Preventing Infection: To prevent infection in a wound, or anywhere in the body, white mustard is a good ally. It has abundant sulfur compounds, which help prevent infection and fight any invading infection. Often used in combination with garlic. For best effects, use fresh mustard seeds, ground into a paste. When using dried mustard seeds, soak them in water before grinding them. Prevents Cancer: Mustard seeds contain beneficial substances that reduce the risk and the reoccurrence of cancer. It does not cure cancer, but seems to prevent the spread or the return of it. One tablespoon of crushed or ground white mustard seed daily is enough to provide these powerful benefits.
Arthritis: White mustard applied to the skin is an irritant. The skin irritation brings an increased blood supply to the area. The skin and joints are warmed, and pain is reduced. You must be careful to wash the mustard away once the skin reddens to prevent blisters and other damage to the skin. To treat arthritis and other joint pain, mix ground white mustard seeds with enough vinegar to make a paste. Apply to the skin over the affected area. White
SuperJew, own work, White Mustard near Abu Ghosh.CC 3.0
144
