• Mustard was first grown in India around 3000 BC and later taken to Britain by the Romans who used it as a condiment and pickling spice.
• Mustard oil has been popularly used in countries like India, Rome, and Greece for thousands of years.
• Its first known uses were medicinal – Hippocrates used mustard seeds to prepare certain medicines.
• The Romans added mustard seeds to their wine and Pythagoras, the Greek scientist, used it as a natural treatment for scorpion stings.
• Apart from its medicinal uses, mustard oil has been used by North Indian women for cooking for decades.

• Medicine
• Cosmetic
• Culinary/flavouring

• Reduces the risk of cancer
• Has cardiovascular benefits
• Is a natural stimulant
• Stimulates sensation in the muscles
• Relieves cold and cough
• Eases joint pain and arthritis
• Helps heal chapped lips
• Improves functioning of the organs
• Has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties
• Beneficial for asthma
• Whitens teeth and treats dental problems
• Removes tan and dark spots
• Natural sunscreen
• Treats rashes and infections
• Has anti-aging effects
• Stimulates hair growth
• Prevents premature greying
• Gets rid of dandruff and itchy scalp

• Mustard is grown as an oilseed crop in Pakistan. After cotton, mustard is the second most important source of oil and contributes on an average, about 21% in the edible oil production. Mustard seed is a rich source of oil and protein. The seed has oil as high as 46-48 percent; Whole seed meal has 43.6 percent protein.
• Mustard flour can even be sprinkled in your socks to help prevent frostbite.
• Pope John Paul XXII loved mustard so much that in the early 1300’s he created a new Vatican position of mustard-maker to the pope – grand moutardier du pape.
• The saying, “Can’t cut the mustard,” means that one can’t live up to a challenge.
• In Denmark and India it is thought that one can ward off evil spirits by spreading mustard seed around the exterior of the home.
• Mustard oil has a pungent odour and perhaps this is the reason why insects avoid it. Hence it is used as an insect repellent in sprays and also keeps away ants and mosquitoes.

• Steaming Relief: A useful method of using mustard oil for clearing cold and cough is using steam treatment. Add caraway seeds and a few spoonful of mustard oil to a pot of boiling water and inhale the steam. This clears the phlegm build-up in the respiratory tract.
• Drop Miracle: Pour two or three drops of mustard oil in your belly button. As long as you do this every night, you should never have to worry about having chapped lips ever again.

• It can cause anaemia due to the presence of large amounts of erucic acid in the oil.
• Consuming mustard oil in large quantities can increase your risk of lung cancer.
• Consuming large quantities of this oil can be harmful for the heart

Note: Mustard oil should only be bought in a quantity that will be used for up to 6 months after opening its seal. Store the oil in an airtight bottle, preferably in a refrigerator. This will prevent your mustard oil from turning rancid.