The body requires numerous minerals, oils, and nutrients to function properly. Oils are used to provide energy to the body and come with more benefits to your health. Mustard oil is a common natural body oil that enhances your health and digestion.
Mustard oil comes from the mustard seeds of the mustard plant. Mustard oil is a popular ingredient in Indian Cuisine. The oil has several health benefits. It’s a natural source of nutrients hence has no side effects on the body. The mustard plant has a strong flavor, pleasing aroma, and high smoke point. This makes it ideal for stir-frying vegetables and sautéing.
Some countries like the USA, Canada, and other European nations have banned pure mustard oil. It’s attributed to some health problems; hence its uses are limited. Mustard oil can be applied topically and is used as a massage oil for hair treatment and skin serum. It can be used as a flavoring agent.
Mustard oil is produced from the steam distillation of mustard seeds. This essential oil has several benefits to the body. They include;
Enhances Skin and Hair Care
Pure mustard oil is mostly applied topically on the skin and hair to promote its health. It added to homemade facemasks and hair treatments to optimize skin and hair health. It can be mixed with wax to help in treating cracked heels when applied to the feet. The oil was used traditionally to perform oil massages on newborn babies. This strengthens the baby’s skin and hair. Mustard oil can also be used to improve fine body lines as it reduces wrinkles. It enhances hair growth hence ideal for those with bald conditions. Before applying the oil on your skin, test it on your scalp to avoid irritation.
Helps Reduce Pain
Mustard oil is used to help alleviate pain in the body. It reduces pain by desensitizing pain receptors in the body. Mustard oil contains allyl isothiocyanate compounds. This compound helps reduce pain in the body as it reduces the pain sensation in the body. This essential oil is rich in ALA, a type of omega-3 fatty acid that reduces inflammation and helps relieve pain. It lowers pain caused by conditions such as arthritis. Regular intake of mustard oils increases the body’s effectiveness in relieving pain. Mixing mustard oil with water desensitizes certain pain receptors and reduces the distribution of pain in the body.
Lowers Body Inflammation
Natively, mustard oils were applied topically to reduce and relieve pain and discomfort symptoms of arthritis. It also reduces inflammation caused by health conditions such as pneumonia and bronchitis. Regular consumption of mustard oil increases the body’s chances of fighting inflammation. Mustard oils have omega-3 fatty acids that reduce oxidative levels and cell inflammations.
Mustard oil research has led to the discovery of mustard oil benefits of inflammation. Consuming mustard oils decreases the causes of psoriasis-induced inflammation. The omega-3 acids help in the regulation of the inflammatory process and reduce oxidative stress.
Used in Treatment of Cold Symptoms
Mustard oil has several benefits to the body, either nutritious or external body benefits. It can be used as a natural remedy to cure cold symptoms by those who love natural drugs. It’s used to treat common cold symptoms such as coughing and congestion. Mustard oil can be consumed in the diet or applied to the body. When suffering from cold symptoms, mix mustard oil with camphor, a compound found mostly in creams and oil ointments, then apply the mixture directly to your chest. This lowers the body’s pain from coughing and helps treat your condition.
Alternatively, the mustard oil can be added to boiling water to create a mustard stream. Inhale the steam and enjoy the treating benefits from this simple concoction.
High Smoke Point
A smoke point is a state at which an oil or fat starts to break down to produce smoke. This is determined by the temperatures applied to the oil. Pure mustard oil contains a high smoke point as it has monounsaturated fats. These fats are more heat resistant to induced degradation than other fats. Smoke points affect the flavor of your final product. Fats with low smoke points cause fats to oxidize, leading to harmful and very reactive free radicals. Mustard oil has a high smoke point than other polyunsaturated fats. This makes it ideal for high heat cooking methods like roasting, baking, grilling, and frying.
Blocks Microbial Growth
Studies show that regular use of mustard oil helps reduce the growth of various types of fungi and bacteria in the body. Pure mustard oil contains powerful antimicrobial properties that block the growth of harmful bacteria. The white mustard essential oil has several components that decrease the growth of certain bacteria strains like Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus.
Mustard oil is known to be the most effective oil that can aid in treating antibacterial effects. Mustard essential oil inhibits the growth of various types of fungi and bacteria. This helps keep the body healthy and prevents harmful bacteria that can cause fatal diseases.
Slows Down Cancer Cell Growth
Mustard oils have both treating and prevention benefits. Mustard oils have components that help reduce the growth and spread of various cancer cells types for those with cancer-related conditions. According to research, pure mustard oil slows down the growth and spread of certain types of cancer cells all over the body. It aids in slowing down the spread of colon cancer. The oil blocks the cells from multiplying in the colon hence reducing its spread. Mustard seed oil rich in allyl isothiocyanate slows down cancer cells growth by up to 35%. The oils inhibit the spread of the cancer cells into the muscle wall of the bladder.
The bottom line
Mustard oils have many benefits to the body. It can be applied topically to the skin and to improve its quality. Mustard oil can also be consumed as vegetable oil and has numerous health benefits to the body. Its uses are limited in some countries but are still among the best natural oil products to include in your body for better health.
I believe that nutrition science is a wonderful helper both for the preventive improvement of health and adjunctive therapy in treatment. My goal is to help people improve their health and well-being without torturing themselves with unnecessary dietary restrictions. I am a supporter of a healthy lifestyle – I play sports, cycle, and swim in the lake all year round. With my work, I have been featured in Vice, Country Living, Harrods magazine, Daily Telegraph, Grazia, Women's Health, and other media outlets.
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