Mustard in traditional medicine

Since antiquity, the black mustard and white mustard plants are known as being good especially in the Mediterranean part. At first they were using primarily as a vegetable, replacing successfully the spinach. Black mustard has entered among the herbs only for several centuries. It was recognized as an oil plant, from the plants being extracted an oil which is used in food in the preparation of cakes, of mustard paste, in the production of SOAP or in the pharmaceutical industry. The flowers of mustard have a increased share, being the apiculture “visited” by the bees for pollen and nectar.

White mustard, Sinapis alba-yellow flowers, and seeds are having white-yellowish color, or more rarely, brown Harvesting is done when 70% of the plant has reached maturity. In traditional medicine are used in particular seeds which have the property of being laxatives, stimulates the gastric secretion and normalize the intestinal transit. The seeds contain oils (do not form layers, these being edible oils) in very large quantities, up to 47%, mucilages approximately 20%, 25% protein and glycosides. Due to these substances, the seeds have uses in the treatment of diseases of the digestive system. Dry beans are an intense spicy condiment and hot, being used in the treatment of chronic constipaion and the increase of appetite. It should be borne in mind that doses for the treatment of white mustard seed should be made only under the guidance of a specialist.

Black mustard, Brassica nigra-reddish to black, bitter-tasting at first and then hot-pungent. Seeds, flour boiled with wine must prepare pasta of mustard. The seeds contain oil, protein and mineral salts. In traditional medicine the seeds are used for external use, dry or in the form of flour of the dried beans. Due to the substances that they contain, the seed have revulsion action, exciting, diuretic, carminative. Poultices in flour and warm water, applied on the painful places produce a superficial congestion with an relief effect in depth of the area concerned. They are used in the treatment of acute bronchitis, degenerative rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica inflaming joints.

Baths with mustard seed are placed in a assy or of several tablespoons of flour of mustard which are added in the tub with water, with 5 minutes before placing the body. Baths with mustard are recommended in treatment of traheo-chest, rheumatism, flu, colds and pneumonia.

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