Use of mustard oil, made from mustard seeds, is widespread in Indian cooking. It is commonly used for sautéing and stir-frying vegetables in various regions of the globe, such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India, due to its powerful aroma, high smoke point, and robust flavour. Pure mustard oil is not allowed for use as a vegetable oil in the US, Canada, or Europe; nonetheless, it is popularly used topically as a serum for the skin, hair, and massage. You can also find and use mustard essential oil, which is a flavouring agent made from mustard seeds by steam distillation, if you so desire.
Mustard oil benefits for skin and health
Say goodbye to heart disease
Mustard oil is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids as well as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Incorporating moderate consumption of these healthy fats into an active lifestyle can reduce your risk of ischemic heart disease. Additionally, research on rats has demonstrated that mustard can lower cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. Oil consumption may be associated with an increase in HDL cholesterol and a decrease in LDL cholesterol. This leads to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
Has anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties
A microemulsion made of mustard oil has been shown to be an efficient antibacterial agent against E. coli in recent studies. The antimicrobial and germ-fighting properties of mustard oil are due to its glucosinolate content. Strong antifungal properties are exhibited by mustard oil. Skin rashes and fungal infections are both treated by it. Mustard oil was determined to be the most efficient of the oils tested in a study that aimed to prevent rye bread rotting caused by fungi. This is likely caused by the fact that mustard oil contains allyl isothiocyanate.
Effective against coughs and cold
The best approach to utilise mustard oil to relieve a cold or cough, according to anecdotal evidence, is to steam it. Breathe in the steam rising from a pot of boiling water that has been seasoned with a pinch of mustard oil and caraway seeds. If there is phlegm in the respiratory tract, this can clear it out.
Facilitates the reduction of excess body fat
Mustard oil is a good source of several B-complex vitamins, including niacin and riboflavin. Possible weight loss benefits include a sped-up metabolism. The oil also contains diacylglycerol, which has the potential to promote weight loss.
Benefits of mustard oil for hair and skin
Many people find that applying pure mustard oil topically improves the health of their hair and skin. In addition to being used in DIY hair treatments and facial masks, mustard oil is sometimes mixed with wax and applied to the feet to alleviate cracked heels. It is also popular practice to massage oil into the skin of a baby in places like Bangladesh, on the belief that it will strengthen the skin barrier. Before applying mustard oil to your hair or skin, do a tiny patch test to see whether it irritates your skin.
Great for alleviating pain
A chemical molecule with a well-studied effect on pain receptors in the body is present in mustard oil; this compound is allyl isothiocyanate. Despite a dearth of human studies, one in which mustard oil was added to mice's water supply helped alleviate systemic pain by blocking specific pain receptors. Omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is abundant in mustard oil and may help reduce inflammation and pain associated with autoimmune diseases.
Reduces the rate of cancer cell proliferation
Mustard oil has promise in preventing the metastasis of several cancers, according to preliminary studies. Pure mustard oil, as opposed to corn oil or fish oil, was found to be more effective in inhibiting the growth of colon cancer cells in rats in an older study. In another animal study, mustard seed powder, which contains allyl isothiocyanate, was shown to help stop bladder cancer from spreading into the muscle wall and to slow its growth by about 35%.
How to correctly use mustard oil for hair
As we mentioned earlier, the usage of pure mustard oil as a vegetable oil is illegal in some countries due to the presence of erucic acid, a fatty acid that poses a significant threat to cardiovascular health in these regions: the US, Canada, and Europe. In contrast, steam distillation is used to extract essential oils from mustard seeds, which are often considered safe for food.
Need more options for hair oil? Try these oil blends perfect for dry and damaged hair.
The two oils are distinct in nature, yet they contain many of the same therapeutic components and are both derived from mustard seeds. Additionally, you can combine them with a carrier oil for topical application, massage, or to make your own skin serums and scalp treatments. Always do a 24-hour wait after applying a tiny amount to your skin as a patch test to see if it causes any redness or irritation.