Mustard Oil Benefits & Side Effects for Health, Skin, and Hair
Introduction | Benefits of Mustard Oil | How Mustard Oil is made | Cooking in Mustard Oil | Side Effects of Mustard Oil | Conflicting Information | Safe Mustard Oil Available | Conclusion
Mustard oil has long been used in many countries for both cooking and externally on the skin and hair. It is still commonly used in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. In Ayurveda, mustard oil benefits are not only restricted to food but also externally to cleanse, stimulate and revitalize the body. Although there are many mustard oil benefits, but it can be dangerous to consume. It does, however, contain healthy fatty acids that make hair and skin thrive when applied.
Mustard Oil Benefits for Health, Skin and Hair
Good Circulation:
When counting the mustard oil benefits, the utmost is grabbed by it being the massage oil. Mustard oil promotes good blood circulation and stress relief. Additionally, there are endless benefits of mustard oil in the navel. It's warming effects relax the muscles and increase circulation which is beneficial for the skin, muscles, and organs.
Healthy Skin:
Is Mustard oil good for skin? Mustard oil is high in vitamin E which keeps your skin healthy. Applying mustard oil benefits skin as it helps moisturizes it, making it smooth and soft. Some more mustard oil benefits for skin is it helps to neutralize free radicals, boost collagen production, keeps connective tissue healthy, and increases new skin growth. This helps to delay wrinkles and keeps the skin's elasticity.
Antibacterial:
What are more mustard oil benefits? Mustard oil has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties and can be used to heal minor cuts and treat insect bites and ringworm. A study showed that mustard oil is powerful enough to kill harmful bacteria such as E.coli, salmonella, staphylococcus, and listeria.
Pain Relief:
It helps ease aching joints due to its anti-inflammatory properties and has a warming effect when you wrap the joint in bandages after applying the mustard oil. Doing this can help relieve pain caused by arthritis, sprains and can help for inflammation by massaging your entire body.
Beautiful Hair:
Is mustard oil good for hair too? Mustard oil is good for your hair. There are also many mustard oil benefits for hair. It can be used to restore shine and health to dull and lifeless hair as well as to prevent premature greying and hair loss. Massaging a mix of mustard oil and coconut oil into your hair and scalp can increase circulation, nourish your hair, and get rid of dandruff.
Get rid of Water Retention:
Mustard oil benefits also include eliminating water retention when you massage it into your skin. This will help to stimulate your lymphatic system which will drain the excess water away.
What is Mustard Oil and how is it made?
There are two different types of mustard oil that can be made. By using either the black, brown or white seeds, vegetable oil is created by pressing the seeds and extracting the oil, and the essential oil which is created by grinding and mixing the seeds with water and then extracting the oil. The essential oil can be diluted in a carrier oil and used externally as a massage oil or in poultices for wounds. The vegetable oil form of mustard oil is often used in traditional cooking. Other than mustard oil benefits for hair, it is also sometimes used in religious and cultural practices and events.
Cooking in Mustard Oil
Not only are mustard oil benefits for skin, but it has also been used for many years in food to promote health. In Northern Indian, Bengali and southern Asian cuisine it's often an important ingredient and it has been said that the dishes can't-do without it which can be considered as topmost mustard oil benefits. As it cooks it develops a sweet flavour and the pungent but delicious flavour is well sought after.
It complements the other ingredients perfectly in dishes like Auriya Kaddu, Kabab-E-Khaas, and Kashmiri Mutton Koftas.
Is mustard oil good for cholesterol? One of the health benefits that is more widely known about is mustard oil's ability to lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels because it contains omega-3 fatty acids. It also helps to remove excess triglycerides (fat found in your blood) and excess body fat which lowers your risk for many diseases including cancer and heart disease and can kill bad bacteria in your digestive tract. Yes, this is how mustard oil is good for cholesterol. But despite these benefits, many studies have found that eating mustard oil and using it in cooking can actually be harmful to your health.
In the countries where the FDA regulates food and medicines, mustard oil is required to indicate on the label that it's for external use only. It has also been banned in several countries including the USA, EU, and Canada. Due to a large occurrence of dropsy, a severe form of oedema resulting in swelling, usually in the lower limbs, it was also banned in Delhi though it has since been lifted again.
The Side effects of Mustard Oil in Food
Mustard oil contains erucic acid which is a form of omega-9. While omega-9 is healthy, there are different types of it. Erucic acid is the monounsaturated form of omega-9 which has toxic effects on the body. Mustard oil contains between 42-47% which is very high. It's for this reason and other mustard oil side effects that it has been banned from being used in food in many countries.
The Effects of Erucic Acid
1. One of the major mustard oil side effects is that it damages the heart, it damages the heart muscles and causes myocardial lipidosis (also known as fatty degeneration of the heart). This can occur when large amounts of erucic acid are consumed.
2. Another mustard oil side effect is that it causes dropsy (oedema). Dropsy is severe water retention that causes swelling usually in the legs but can occur in the arms too. Other symptoms that might be present along with the swelling is abdominal pain, nausea, shortness of breath and glaucoma (which is unhealthy pressure in the eyes).
3. It increases the risk of lung cancer. Erucic acid irritates the lungs and slowly starts degrading the tissue. The risk of lung cancer rises with long-term consumption. Lung cancer is, unfortunately, fatal.
4. It can cause miscarriages. Erucic acids can negatively affect the mother and her unborn child and in addition to this, it can cause spontaneous abortion which is when the body expels the fetus.
5. Allergic reactions. Some people may react badly to mustard oil by getting rashes, hay fever, and even stomach pain.
6. Undoubtedly, mustard oil benefits for skin does exist. But really is mustard oil good for skin? Over time usage of mustard oil can form blisters and rashes which can damage the skin. This is why it's not recommended to use mustard oil as a massage oil for small children and babies. Don't use it on your skin if it causes any burning, stinging or tingling.
7. Mustard oil side effects also include stomach irritation, inflammation of the intestines, and gastrointestinal tract issues, which can lead to diarrhea and significant discomfort.
8. Mustard oil side effects can cause anemia too, as demonstrated by a study conducted by the Food Toxicology Laboratory at the Industrial Toxicology Research Centre in Lucknow, India. The research found that the adulteration of mustard oil with argemone oil, a combination often used in Indian cooking, kills off red blood cells, leading to anemia. Red blood cells are crucial for carrying oxygen to the body's cells and transporting carbon dioxide to the lungs for removal from the body.
Conflicting Information
The side effects of mustard oil are well-documented in multiple studies, yet many reputable doctors advocate for its benefits and claim that it is safe to eat. So, what is mustard oil truly capable of? It's important to note that many studies have been conducted on rats, and some published results stem from these animal studies.
However, ignoring the negative effects experienced by people who have used mustard oil for years and in large quantities is unwise. The effects of erucic acid are well-proven, especially in cases of dropsy and myocardial lipidosis. While it may be safe to consume in small quantities, research indicates that the long-term consumption of mustard oil high in erucic acid can be harmful.
Despite this, mustard oil benefits for hair and mustard oil benefits for skin are well-recognized, and many wonder, is mustard oil good for hair and is mustard oil good for skin? It's essential to balance the mustard oil benefits with the potential risks, including mustard oil side effects. Additionally, people often ask, is mustard oil good for health and is mustard oil good for cholesterol? The answer lies in moderation and awareness of the associated risks.
Safe Mustard Oils have Become Available
Erucic acid, also found in oils like canola oil, has prompted farmers to grow different strains of the seeds used to make these oils, reducing the erucic acid content to as little as 1% in a bottle of oil. Studies are underway to achieve the same results with mustard oil, and there has been some success. Now, there is mustard oil available that is low in erucic acid but still maintains all the mustard oil benefits, including the delicious pungent flavor.
These healthier versions of mustard oil are being produced and tested in India and Australia. However, many mustard oils on the market still contain toxic amounts of erucic acid and are easily found in stores. To fully enjoy the mustard oil benefits for hair and mustard oil benefits for skin without worrying about the mustard oil side effects, it is best to look for these improved versions.
Studies continue, and more of these healthier mustard oils should become available in the future. This ensures you can still ask, is mustard oil good for health, without concerns about long-term harm.
Conclusion
1. Mustard oil can be used externally to promote healthy skin and hair.
2. It can be used as a massage oil to relieve stress, relax the muscles as well as to reduce pain and inflammation.
3. It can cause skin irritation and shouldn't be used on babies and small children.
4. To maximize mustard oil benefits for hair and mustard oil benefits for skin, use low erucic acid mustard oils that are FDA approved.
5. Mustard oil high in erucic acid causes damage to the heart, increases the risk for lung cancer and anaemia and causes dropsy when eaten in large quantities over time. It can also cause miscarriages if eaten by pregnant women.
While there are many healthy oils available, I personally avoid the risk of eating mustard oil altogether. However, there are some Indian vegetables that taste great cooked in mustard oil. For those occasions, I use a high-quality mustard oil bottle that is low in erucic acid. This way, I can still enjoy the unique flavor while minimizing the mustard oil side effects.
