Mustard Seeds In Ayurveda: Traditional Ways To Use This Pungent Kitchen Staple

Mustard seeds, a common ingredient in Indian cooking, hold significant value in Ayurveda for treating various health issues. Acharya Balkrishnaji, co-founder of Patanjali Ayurved, discusses the importance of mustard seeds and their applications in Ayurvedic home remedies. These seeds come in different varieties, with black, brown, and yellow being the most popular, each with distinct flavors and uses.

Crushed or chewed dry mustard seeds release strong oils, which is why they are valued in Ayurveda for their pungency, hot energy, and ability to balance Vata and Kapha doshas. However, they also increase Pitta dosha.

The seeds are rich in essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus, selenium, magnesium, and vitamin B-3 (niacin). Major producers of mustard seeds include Nepal, Russia, Canada, India, and the USA. Now, let's explore how to incorporate these seeds in home remedies to address specific health concerns and learn about the related Patanjali offerings.

For skin issues such as itching, irritations, dryness, and rashes, create a paste by mixing apple cider or jamun vinegar with ground mustard seeds. Apply this paste to the affected area and let it sit before bathing. This remedy can also help with stretch marks, which may appear after childbirth or due to obesity. Additionally, mustard seeds can alleviate joint pain.

Create a warm oil mixture by adding crushed garlic or mustard seeds to mustard oil. Massage the affected joints with this oil to reduce pain. Adding salt or cloves to the warm mustard oil can further enhance circulation and provide relief to painful joints.

To address congestion, add mustard seed powder to warm water for a foot soak, which provides relief from head heaviness. For chest congestion, make a fine powder of two to three teaspoons of seeds and mix it with wheat flour. Create a thick paste and apply it as a poultice to the chest for 10 to 15 minutes, repeating the process for better results.

Patanjali Khubkala Hedge Mustard Seeds (50 Gms) are high-quality seeds suitable for Ayurvedic home remedies to treat cough, chest congestion, and fever. They are also beneficial for digestion. Patanjali Kolhu Mustard Oil (1 Ltr) is a cold-pressed oil perfect for cooking and personal use. It can be used for massaging the body with the aforementioned home remedies or cooking various Indian dishes and making pickles.

For the first remedy, use Patanjali Apple Vinegar (500 Ml), which is also helpful in dealing with digestive troubles and maintaining liver, brain, and heart health.