Benefits of Mustard Oil

Whatever Indian food you choose, mustard oil is a common ingredient. The oil is produced from mustard plant seeds. Apart from a pungent smell, the flavor of mustard oil is pretty strong. The smoke point is quite high. It is often used for dishes that need stir-frying or sauteing. Besides cooking, mustard oil is also used to nourish the skin and hair. It also serves as a good massage oil.

Given below are the top 10 benefits of using mustard oil:

Restricting Growth of Microbes

Several tests have shown that mustard oil has anti microbial properties. So it can act as a strong agent to limit the growth of harmful bacteria. According to a study, mustard oil can help decrease the growth of many bacterial strains. These include Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus, and Escherichia. Another study compared the antibacterial properties of mustard oil, Mexican Oregano, and thyme. Of these three, mustard oil was the most potent agent. Many other studies have shown that mustard oil can also help limit the growth of several molds and fungi.

Hair and Skin Health

Mustard oil is applied on the surface to improve the health of the skin and hair. It is also added to home-made face masks for treatment. At times it is mixed with wax and applied on the feet to fix a cracked heel. In several Asian countries mustered oil is used to massage newborns. It helps to promote the skin barrier. It has also been reported that mustard oil can help improve wrinkles and fine lines. It is best to do a patch test before you use mustard oil on the skin or scalp. You are good to go if there is no irritation or discomfort.

Pain Alleviation

Mustard oil has a chemical compound – isothiocyanate. Many studies have looked at its effect on the body's pain receptors. According to a study, a mix of mustard oil and plain water can help desensitize pain receptors. This way it can help treat pain that might be spreading fast. Mustard oil is rich in ALA (Alpha Linolenic Acid). It is a type of omega-3 fatty acid. It can help reduce pain and inflammation caused by arthritis. The only thing to watch out for is long exposure, to avoid any kind of skin burn.

Inhibits Growth of Cancer Cells

Many studies have indicated that mustard oil can help slow down the growth of cancer cells. This way it can help restrict their spread. One study found that mustard oil can actually restrict the growth of cancer cells, compared to fish or corn oil. Another study found that mustard oil is rich in allyl isothiocyanate. This compound can restrict the growth of cancer cells in the bladder by almost 35 per cent. Other studies have found that mustard oil can help restrict cancer growth in humans.

Improve Heart Health

Mustard oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids. It is a type of unsaturated fat found in plant oils, seeds, and nuts. These fatty acids offer many benefits to the heart. Several studies have indicated that it can help regulate blood pressure, blood sugar, and triglyceride in the body. All these are key factors for the human heart. Health experts suggest replacing saturated fat with monounsaturated fat. This could go a long way to lower bad cholesterol or LDL in the body. A study that compared the two found that mustard oil is better than sunflower oil for the heart.

Reduce Inflammation

Mustard oil is applied on the skin to relieve arthritis, pain, and discomfort. It can help to lower inflammation due to Bronchitis or pneumonia. Research suggests that mustard seed oil can help relieve inflammation due to psoriasis. Mustard oil also contains Omega 3 fatty acids. That includes alpha lino lenic acid as well. Studies indicate that Omega 3 fatty acids can regulate inflammation in humans. As a result, they can lower inflammation and oxidative stress.

Treatment of Cold and Associated Symptoms

Mustard oil has long been used as a natural remedy for colds and other conditions like congestion and cough. Mustard oil can be mixed with camphor and then applied directly on the chest. You can also try a mustard oil steam treatment. Add drops of mustard oil to boiling water, then inhale the vapor. It has also been proven that mustard oil can be effective in treating several respiratory issues, along with other benefits.

High Smoke Point

High smoke point is the temperature at which fat or oil starts to break down and gives off smoke. When that happens, it can harm the flavor of the food. It can also lead to the oxidization of fat. This releases reactive compounds called radicals that are harmful to the human body. The smoke point of mustard oil is high. Therefore, it is comparable with other fats such as butter. As a result, mustard oil is a common choice for cooking anything that needs high heat, like baking, frying, roasting, and grilling. Also, mustard oil is rich in mono unsaturated fat. And it resists breakdown from heat much better than poly unsaturated fatty acids.

Improves Brain Function

Fatty acids in mustard oil can help improve brain health. They have a positive effect on memory and cognitive function. They also help in the treatment of depression. At exam time, children can be given mustard oil for better memory.

Reduces Dental Problems

Mustard oil can greatly help lower the harmful effects of dental problems such as gingivitis and periodontitis. Mix a teaspoon of turmeric powder with half a teaspoon each of mustard oil and salt. This can help whiten the teeth. This paste can lead to good dental health.

We hope it is now clear that there are many benefits of mustard oil. It can help reduce inflammation and pain, and slow down the growth of cancerous cells. It can also restrict the growth of microbes and keep the skin and hair healthy. It can also be diluted, or used as it is, as a massage oil or as a face mask. Mustard oil also has compounds that can improve memory and prevent dental problems.