People have been claiming mustard oil health benefits for centuries. It is used for cooking, as a medicine and to massage the body. Extracted from mustard plant seeds, mustard oil is widely used nowadays too. When mustard oil was banned in the US, it sparked a worldwide debate about “whether mustard oil is good for health”. Oh yes! It is.
Let’s see how mustard oil is beneficial for us in many ways.
How Mustard Oil Is Good For Health?
Mustard oil has a pungent flavour and a strong aroma that is distinguishable among all oils. Health benefits of mustard oil include:
- This oil is rich in healthy fats. These healthy monounsaturated fatty acids reduce cholesterol levels and directly impact heart health.
- Mustard oil also has polyunsaturated fats commonly known as omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. These are very essential for heart and brain health.
- Mustard oil contains Vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant. It protects cells from damage.
- It also has anti-inflammatory properties which reduce inflammation in the cardiovascular system.
- Mustard oil is a very good moisturizer for the skin. Though it has a smell that is not liked by most folks, using mustard oil in once a while keeps your skin plump and hydrated. Especially, if you have a dry and flaky in, use mustard oil as a remedy.
- The Vitamin E in mustard oil is very good for skin health too. It reduces fine lines and signs of ageing.
- When applied to hair, mustard oil stimulates hair growth, reduces dandruff, improves scalp condition and makes your hair shiny and healthy.
- You can massage mustard oil on joints to relieve pain and discomfort. It’s also good for people having arthritis.
- When you massage mustard oil to the skin, it improves blood circulation and promotes overall well-being.
- Eating mustard oil is beneficial as it stimulates the digestive system and improves digestion and appetite.
- If you have gas or bloating, use mustard oil in moderation to get rid of symptoms.
Why Was Mustard Oil Banned At First Place?
Mustard oil is very good for health and the benefits are no longer a secret. However, it was banned in the US because
- It contains Erucic acid which causes heart problems in some animals. It was just a research study. Its effect on humans still needs to be researched properly. There is no proper evidence backing the claim that mustard oil must not be consumed by humans. Generally, it is safe to eat mustard oil in moderation. However, in the US it is sold for massage and external use only.
- Some people may be sensitive to it and massaging mustard oil can cause skin irritation. For that, you may do a patch test before applying mustard oil to the skin.
- Overheating of mustard oil may release a toxic compound. When used in cooking, adjust to appropriate temperatures for safe use.
How to Use Mustard Oil Safely?
- No matter how healthy it is, use every oil in moderation. Also, use Mustard oil in limited amounts to avoid any potential side effects.
- Instead of using it for deep frying, use mustard oil for sautéing or add it to the finishing touches.
- You may mix mustard oil with other oils like olive oils to get maximum benefits. This reduces erucic acid content and keeps the original flavour of mustard oil intact.
- Carrier oil dilutes the mustard oil so before applying it to the skin, mix it with some carrier oil. Coconut hair oil is best for it.
- We recommend doing a patch test before applying mustard oil directly on the skin.
Is Mustard Oil Better Than Other Oils?
Mustard oil is very good for health but if it is good then other oils depend on why you are using mustard oil in the first place.
- In comparison with olive oil, olive oil is safer in terms of erucic acid content. Olive oil is also very beneficial for health and has less erucic acid content. However, olive oil has a very mild taste whereas mustard oil has a unique strong aroma and flavour.
- While comparing mustard oil with coconut oil, again they both are very good for skin. Mustard oil has more medicinal benefits as compared to coconut oil. Coconut oil is good for skin moisturizing, whereas mustard oil is good for pain relief massage. In terms of cooking, mustard oil is a more healthy option than coconut oil as it has unsaturated fats. Coconut oil, on the other hand, is high in saturated fats.
- In mustard oil vs sunflower oil, sunflower oil is also rich in vitamin E but it has a very neutral taste. So if you want to give that special taste profile to your dish, you may go for mustard oil. In terms of health benefits, both oils have unsaturated fats and sunflower oil has low erucic acid content.
Use In Medicine
- Mustard oil is very good for health and is favoured in Ayurveda practices. It promotes circulation and relieves pain.
- You can combine it with herbs and essential oils for therapeutic massages.
- When massaged, mustard oil promotes sweating. This helps in “cleansing” the body.
- In Unani medicine practices, mustard oil is used to treat colds, coughs and congestion. Gently massage mustard oil to the chest for relief or add in steam and inhale.
- Mustard oil also improves digestion and bloating symptoms.
In Short,
Yes!
Mustard oil is very good for your internal and external health. However, it must be used in moderation. Although it has a good nutritional profile, you must check it before using it. If you think, your body is responding well to mustard oil, use it in your daily diet in moderation. We recommend, using mustard oil with other oils both in terms of eating and while applying directly to your skin. This way you can ensure maximum benefits with less risk.