Mustard oil, which is produced from the seeds of the mustard plant, is a common ingredient in Indian cuisine.
Known for its strong flavor, pungent aroma, and high smoke point, it’s often used for sautéing and stir-frying vegetables in many parts of the world, including India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.
Although pure mustard oil is banned for use as a vegetable oil in the United States, Canada, and Europe, it’s often applied topically and used as a massage oil, skin serum, and hair treatment .
Mustard essential oil, a type of essential oil produced from mustard seeds using a steam distillation process, is also available and approved for use as a flavoring agent.
Here are 8 benefits of mustard oil and mustard essential oil, along with some simple ways to use them.
Some studies have found that mustard essential oil possesses powerful antimicrobial properties and may help block the growth of certain types of harmful bacteria.
According to one test-tube study, white mustard essential oil decreased the growth of several strains of bacteria, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus.
Another test-tube study compared the antibacterial effects of essential oils like mustard, thyme, and Mexican oregano with pathogenic bacteria. It found that mustard essential oil was the most effective.
What’s more, several test-tube studies have discovered that mustard essential oil may inhibit the growth of certain types of fungi and mold.
However, because most evidence is limited to test-tube studies, more research is needed to determine how mustard essential oil may affect human health.
Pure mustard oil is often applied topically to help optimize hair and skin health.
As well as adding it to homemade face masks and hair treatments, it’s sometimes mixed with wax and applied to the feet to help heal cracked heels.
In areas like Bangladesh, it’s also commonly used to perform oil massages on newborns, which is thought to enhance the strength of the skin barrier
However, although many report improvements in fine lines, wrinkles, and hair growth, most available evidence on the topical benefits of pure mustard oil is purely anecdotal.
If you decide to use mustard oil on your skin or scalp, be sure to perform a patch test first and use only a small amount to prevent irritation.
Mustard oil contains allyl isothiocyanate, a chemical compound that has been well studied for its effect on pain receptors in the body.
Promising research suggests that mustard oil may help slow the growth and spread of certain types of cancer cells.
In one older study, feeding pure mustard oil to rats blocked the growth of colon cancer cells more effectively than feeding them corn oil .
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