Mustard is an annual aromatic plant. In height, it can reach 40-50 cm. The most famous types are white, brown and black mustard. The grains of the plant are used to make condiments. Mustard powder is also used in traditional medicine.
Mustard seeds contain: vegetable proteins, fats (up to 35%), essential oil, enzymes, glycosides, mucus, dietary fiber. They also contain vitamins A, E, D, group B, potassium, magnesium, zinc, calcium, iron, sodium. Mustard is made from powder, which is obtained by processing oil cake. The cake remains after pressing the oil from the mustard seeds. Ready-made mustard is widely used as a condiment. It improves appetite, stimulates the production of gastric juice, helping to digest heavy foods. In case of an upset stomach, it is helpful to include a small amount of seasoning in the diet, as it neutralizes toxins. In this case, it is important not to get carried away - the seasoning can irritate the mucous membrane.
The consumption of mustard allows you to speed up your metabolism, get rid of increased gas production.
Mustard has an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antifungal, antioxidant effect on the body, stimulates cerebral circulation, improves memory and attention functions. It is recommended to include it in the diet in small quantities for diseases of the gallbladder, diseases of the cardiovascular system. It is good to use it for weight loss, as it has the ability to break down fats. It is useful to use mustard for colds. In folk and official medicine for colds, bronchitis, pleurisy, mustard plasters are used, which have a warming, analgesic, local irritating effect.
Other indications for the use of the drug are: osteochondrosis, myalgia, neuralgia, soft tissue bruises; arthralgia, sprain. Before use, mustard plasters are dipped in warm water for half a minute. Then they are applied to the skin: for bronchitis, pneumonia, colds - on the back (avoiding the heart area), for migraines - on the back of the head, with neuralgia, sprains - on painful places. The mustard plasters are kept for 5-10 minutes, and then the skin is washed with water. For severe and lingering rhinitis, you can use mustard powder for foot baths. The tool is used to treat psoriasis, neurodermatitis. On the basis of mustard, plasters are made, which are used in the treatment of rheumatism, neuralgia, sciatica, gout, neuritis.
Mustard is an aphrodisiac and can be consumed by both men and women.
For migraines, you can hold your hands in a mustard solution. To prepare it, add a handful of powder to hot water, stir, cool until warm and hold the hands for 8-10 minutes. For the treatment of arthritis, a mixture of mustard and vodka is prepared. You will need: 0.5 liters of vodka, 100 g of mustard powder, 200 g of salt. Everything is stirred and left for 2 days. Then compresses are made on sore spots (lasting 2-3 hours a day). The course of treatment is 2 months.
Mustard is contraindicated for allergies, pulmonary tuberculosis. Excessive consumption of the product can provoke the development of shortness of breath, decreased heart rate, fainting. External use of the product can cause skin burns. Pregnancy is not a contraindication for the consumption of mustard, provided that the woman is not allergic to the product.
