Related Terms

• Adenine phosphoribosyltransferase, allyl cyanide, allyl isothiocyanate, allyl thiocyanate, allylamine, alpha-linolenic acid (ALNA), amylase, apigenin, ascorbic acid, behenic acid, beta-amylase, beta-glucuronidase, black mustard, blue-light photoreceptors, brassic acid, Brassica, Brassica alba, Brassica juncea, Brassica nigra, Brassica sinapistrum, Brassica synapoides, Brassicaceae (family), brassicin, brassilexin, brassin, brown mustard, carbohydrates, charlock, Chinese mustard, cis-monounsaturated fatty acids, cruciferin proteins, crystalline antithiamine factor, cysteine, DazitolTM, erucic acid, fatty acids, flavonoid tetraglycosides, flavonoids, fructose, fu-tsai, gallic acid, gamma-thionin proteins (M1, M2A, and M2B), glucoiberin, gluconapin, glucoraphanin, glucosinolates, glutamic acid, glutamine, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, glyoxalase I, hydroxycinnamic acid diglycosides, hydroxycinnamic acid monoglycosides (gentiobioses), Indian mustard, iron, isorhamnetin 7-O-glucoside, isothiocyanates, juncin, kaempferol, glucopyranoside, leaf mustard, lipids, low-mass volatile components, methylselenocysteine, methylselenomethionine, mucilage, mustard greens, mustard oil, mustard trypsin inhibitor 2 (MTI-2), myrosin, myrosinases, napins, nitrogen, oleic acid, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, pentahydroxy chalcones, pentahydroxy flavones, phenolic antioxidants, phenols, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, phospholipase D, phthalic acid esters, p-hydroxybenzoylcholine, p-hydroxybenzyl isothiocyanate (PBH), p-hydroxybenzylamine, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, potassium, proline, protein, rai (Hindi), rhamnogalacturonan, salicylic acid, SAP 104, selenium, selenomethionine, sinalbin (4-hydroxybenzylglucosinolate), sinalbin A, sinalbin B, sinalbin-degrading enzyme, sinapic acid, sinapine, Sinapis alba, Sinapis arvensis, sinigrin, S-nitrosylated proteins, stearic acid, suan-tsai, sulfur, Synapis alba, Synapis negra, takana, tannic acid, thiocyanate, trichomes, tricresyl phosphate, vitamin A, vitamin C, white mustard, yellow mustard.

Background

• Mustard plants come from several plant species (genera Brassica and Sinapis). The most common types of mustard are Sinapis alba (also called Brassica alba, yellow mustard, or white mustard) and Brassica juncea (also called brown mustard or Indian mustard). Black mustard (Brassica nigra) fell out of use in commercial mustard products in the 1950s.

• Mustard has a long history of use. Traditionally, mustard or mustard oil have been used as a treatment for stomach and intestinal disorders and diabetes, as a natural antibacterial agent, to stimulate vomiting, and as a massage oil to improve blood circulation, muscular development, and skin texture. Mustard plaster (a mixture of flour and mustard powder) has been traditionally applied to the chest and abdomen to promote healing. Today, the primary use of mustard is as a condiment.

• The pungency of mustard comes from its isothiocyanate compounds. Mustard oil is a pungent plant extract from mustard seed, horseradish, and wasabi, and its main constituent is allyl isothiocyanate. Although it is used in India and elsewhere as a cooking oil, high doses injected or applied topically can cause irritation and inflammation.

• There is limited human evidence in support of the use of mustard plaster for bronchitis or for the use of mustard oil in prevention of heart attack. Evidence is conflicting as to whether mustard oil is effective at lowering cholesterol levels or as to its beneficial effects as a massage agent in infants. At this time, high-quality human trials in support of the use of mustard or mustard oil for any indication are limited. Better-designed clinical trials are needed before recommendations can be made regarding taking mustard for any condition.

Scientific Evidence

Tradition/Theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious and should be evaluated by a qualified health care professional.

• Antiaging, antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, arthritis, asthma, blood circulation stimulant, blood vessel dilation, burns, cancer, detoxification, diabetes, digestion, diuretic, duodenal ulcer, ear infection, emetic, food preservation, gastric acid reduction, gastric ulcer, high blood pressure, high blood sugar/glucose intolerance, laxative, lupus, mosquito repellent, pain relief, parasites, respiratory problems, ringworm (tinea capitis), skin conditions, stomach problems.

Dosing

The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.

Adults (18 years and older)

• Three tablespoons of powdered mustard has traditionally been used to induce vomiting. 14 grams of dry mustard has been used as a laxative.

• For high cholesterol, mustard oil as 25% of total energy intake has been used for eight weeks. For heart benefits, 2.9 grams of mustard oil has been used daily for one year.

• For bronchitis, a plaster containing mustard (one teaspoon of flour with ½ teaspoon of mustard) has been applied to the chest for eight hours.

Children (younger than 18 years)

• In infants, 20 milliliters of mustard oil has been massaged onto the skin daily for four weeks. Caution is advised, as some reports have warned that application of mustard oil to the skin of infants is potentially toxic.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Allergies

• People with a known allergy or hypersensitivity to mustard and other members of the Brassicaceae family (e.g., cabbage, cauliflower, turnip, Chinese cabbage, rapeseed, radish, or horseradish), nuts, legumes, corn, Rosaceae fruit, mugwort pollen, turnip rape, Brazil nut, peach, melon, or cashews should avoid mustard and mustard oil. Also, children with sensitivities to cow's milk, egg, wheat, and pollens (birch, timothy, or mugwort), should avoid mustard, as they are more likely to react to mustard and rapeseed. Both local (e.g., skin) and whole body reactions, such as anaphylaxis, are possible. Respiratory (e.g., nose, sinus, and lung) reactions are also possible.

Side Effects and Warnings

• Mustard oil applied to the skin may increase pain sensitivity, burns, inflammation, itching, rash, and coloring changes (pigmentation). Breathing in ground mustard seeds may cause airway irritation and inflammation.

• Mustard may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised in patients with diabetes or hypoglycemia and in those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that affect blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may need to be monitored by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.

• Mustard may decrease the risk of bleeding. Caution is advised in patients with bleeding disorders or those taking drugs that affect bleeding. Dosing adjustments may be necessary.

• Use cautiously in patients with cardiovascular conditions, cancer, gastrointestinal conditions, and iodine deficiency.

• Avoid the use of mustard oil in high doses.

• Mustard should be purchased from trusted sources to avoid consumption of mustard plants grown in soils contaminated with heavy metal or other toxins. Wash mustard leaves carefully before use.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• Large amounts of mustard or mustard oil should be used cautiously in pregnant women, due to lack of safety information. Use of mustard in food preparation is likely safe.

Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

Interactions with Drugs

• Mustard may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or taking insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.

• Mustard may decrease the risk of bleeding. Caution is advised when taking drugs that affect bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix®), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®).

• Mustard may also interact with antibiotics, antifungals, anticancer agents, antivirals, agents which affect the immune system, antidepressants (monoamine oxidase inhibitor drugs), anti-inflammatory agents, blood vessel dilating drugs, calcium channel blockers, cardiovascular agents, cholesterol-lowering drugs, gastrointestinal agents, mosquito-repelling agents, laxatives, painkillers, radiation therapy, skin agents, steroids, and tobacco.

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

• Mustard may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using herbs or supplements that may also lower blood sugar. Blood glucose levels may require monitoring, and doses may need adjustment.

• Mustard may decrease the risk of bleeding. Caution is advised when taking herbs and supplements that are believed to affect bleeding, such as Ginkgo biloba, garlic, and saw palmetto. Numerous other agents may theoretically affect bleeding, although this has not been proven in most cases.

• Mustard may also interact with antibacterials, antifungals, anticancer herbs and supplements, antivirals, herbs and supplements that affect the immune system, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory herbs and supplements, antioxidants, blood vessel dilating herbs and supplements, calcium channel blockers, cardiovascular herbs and supplements, cholesterol-lowering herbs and supplements, gastrointestinal herbs and supplements, iron, mosquito-repelling herbs and supplements, laxatives, painkillers, herbs and supplements used for the skin, steroidal herbs and supplements, and tobacco.

Author Information

• This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

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