Sinapis alba

Related Terms

Adenine phosphoribosyltransferase, allyl cyanide, allyl isothiocyanate, allyl thiocyanate, allylamine, alpha-linolenic acid (ALNA), amylase, apigenin, ascorbic acid, behenic acid, beta-amylase, beta-glucuronidase, black mustard, blue-light photoreceptors, brassic acid, Brassica, Brassica alba, Brassica juncea, Brassica nigra, Brassica sinapistrum, Brassica synapoides, Brassicaceae (family), brassicin, brassilexin, brassin, brown mustard, carbohydrates, charlock, Chinese mustard, cis-monounsaturated fatty acids, cruciferin proteins, crystalline antithiamine factor, cysteine, DazitolTM, erucic acid, fatty acids, flavonoid tetraglycosides, flavonoids, fructose, fu-tsai, gallic acid, gamma-thionin proteins (M1, M2A, and M2B), glucoiberin, gluconapin, glucoraphanin, glucosinolates, glutamic acid, glutamine, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, glyoxalase I, hydroxycinnamic acid diglycosides, hydroxycinnamic acid monoglycosides (gentiobioses), Indian mustard, iron, isorhamnetin 7-O-glucoside, isothiocyanates, juncin, kaempferol, glucopyranoside, leaf mustard, lipids, low-mass volatile components, methylselenocysteine, methylselenomethionine, mucilage, mustard greens, mustard oil, mustard trypsin inhibitor 2 (MTI-2), myrosin, myrosinases, napins, nitrogen, oleic acid, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, pentahydroxy chalcones, pentahydroxy flavones, phenolic antioxidants, phenols, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, phospholipase D, phthalic acid esters, p-hydroxybenzoylcholine, p-hydroxybenzyl isothiocyanate (PBH), p-hydroxybenzylamine, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, potassium, proline, protein, rai (Hindi), rhamnogalacturonan, salicylic acid, SAP 104, selenium, selenomethionine, sinalbin (4-hydroxybenzylglucosinolate), sinalbin A, sinalbin B, sinalbin-degrading enzyme, sinapic acid, sinapine, Sinapis alba, Sinapis arvensis, sinigrin, S-nitrosylated proteins, stearic acid, suan-tsai, sulfur, Synapis alba, Synapis negra, takana, tannic acid, thiocyanate, trichomes, tricresyl phosphate, vitamin A, vitamin C, white mustard, yellow mustard.

Background

Mustard plants come from several plant species (genera Brassica and Sinapis). The most common types of mustard are Sinapis alba (also called Brassica alba, yellow mustard, or white mustard) and Brassica juncea (also called brown mustard or Indian mustard). Black mustard (Brassica nigra) fell out of use in commercial mustard products in the 1950s.
Mustard has a long history of use. Traditionally, mustard or mustard oil have been used as a treatment for stomach and intestinal disorders and diabetes, as a natural antibacterial agent, to stimulate vomiting, and as a massage oil to improve blood circulation, muscular development, and skin texture. Mustard plaster (a mixture of flour and mustard powder) has been traditionally applied to the chest and abdomen to promote healing. Today, the primary use of mustard is as a condiment.
The pungency of mustard comes from its isothiocyanate compounds. Mustard oil is a pungent plant extract from mustard seed, horseradish, and wasabi, and its main constituent is allyl isothiocyanate. Although it is used in India and elsewhere as a cooking oil, high doses injected or applied topically can cause irritation and inflammation.
There is limited human evidence in support of the use of mustard plaster for bronchitis or for the use of mustard oil in prevention of heart attack. Evidence is conflicting as to whether mustard oil is effective at lowering cholesterol levels or as to its beneficial effects as a massage agent in infants. At this time, high-quality human trials in support of the use of mustard or mustard oil for any indication are limited. Better-designed clinical trials are needed before recommendations can be made regarding taking mustard for any condition.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


In human study, a plaster containing white mustard seed was as effective as a traditional Chinese bronchitis treatment. Additional study is needed in this area.

 C


In human study, a plaster containing white mustard seed was as effective as a traditional Chinese bronchitis treatment. Additional study is needed in this area.

 C


In human study, mustard oil consumption in the diet of patients with a heart attack resulted in a decrease in further heart problems. In further dietary study, consumption of mustard oil, as well as other foods (vegetables, legumes, walnuts, almonds, whole grains, and soybean oil) resulted in reduced risk of heart attack and deaths due to heart problems. Additional study is needed in this area.

 C


In human study, mustard oil consumption in the diet of patients with a heart attack resulted in a decrease in further heart problems. In further dietary study, consumption of mustard oil, as well as other foods (vegetables, legumes, walnuts, almonds, whole grains, and soybean oil) resulted in reduced risk of heart attack and deaths due to heart problems. Additional study is needed in this area.

 C


In human study, inclusion of mustard oil in the diet resulted in little benefit in terms of cholesterol levels. Additional study is needed in this area.

 C


In human study, inclusion of mustard oil in the diet resulted in little benefit in terms of cholesterol levels. Additional study is needed in this area.

 C


Mustard oil is used topically in newborn care as part of a traditional oil massage for neonates in many developing countries. Reasons include promotion of strength, maintenance of health, and provision of warmth. In human study, daily massage with oils, including mustard oil, improved growth and postmassage sleep in infants. However, in animal study topical mustard oil caused toxic effects on the skin. Additional study is needed in this area.

 C


Mustard oil is used topically in newborn care as part of a traditional oil massage for neonates in many developing countries. Reasons include promotion of strength, maintenance of health, and provision of warmth. In human study, daily massage with oils, including mustard oil, improved growth and postmassage sleep in infants. However, in animal study topical mustard oil caused toxic effects on the skin. Additional study is needed in this area.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
Three tablespoons of powdered mustard has traditionally been used to induce vomiting. 14 grams of dry mustard has been used as a laxative.
For high cholesterol, mustard oil as 25% of total energy intake has been used for eight weeks. For heart benefits, 2.9 grams of mustard oil has been used daily for one year.
For bronchitis, a plaster containing mustard (one teaspoon of flour with ? teaspoon of mustard) has been applied to the chest for eight hours.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Mustard may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or taking insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Mustard may decrease the risk of bleeding. Caution is advised when taking drugs that affect bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin?) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix?), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Motrin?, Advil?) or naproxen (Naprosyn?, Aleve?).
Mustard may also interact with antibiotics, antifungals, anticancer agents, antivirals, agents which affect the immune system, antidepressants (monoamine oxidase inhibitor drugs), anti-inflammatory agents, blood vessel dilating drugs, calcium channel blockers, cardiovascular agents, cholesterol-lowering drugs, gastrointestinal agents, mosquito-repelling agents, laxatives, painkillers, radiation therapy, skin agents, steroids, and tobacco.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Yadav SP, Vats V, Ammini AC, et al. Brassica juncea (Rai) significantly prevented the development of insulin resistance in rats fed fructose-enriched diet. J Ethnopharmacol 2004;93(1):113-116.