Mustard (Rayi)
Also known as
Latin : Brassica juncea
English : Mustard
Sanskrit : Sharshapa
Hindi : Rayi
Marathi : Mohari
Tamil : Katugu
Telugu : Avalu
Malayalam : Katuku
Kannada : Sasive
How it looks�It is a glabrous annual with a few bristles at the base and leaves which are broad and coarsely dentate at the edges. The flowers are yellow and fruits are pod like
breaking from below upwards with many seeds.
What we use�Seeds, oil
What it does�It is thermogenic, anodyne, anti-inflammatory, carminative, digestive, anthelmintic, sudorific and tonic.
How we use it�
In
asthma�During an attack, massage warm mustard oil to which a little camphor is added over the chest and back. This liquidates phlegm and clear the airways.
You could also roast a lemon packed in mud on fire and squeeze the warm lemon (after breaking the mud pack) in some warm mustard oil. Use this mixture to massage over the chest,
back and neck to loosen and expectorate obstructing phlegm.
In
swollen and painful joints�To reduce stiffness and pain in joints, apply a mixture of mustard oil and camphor and massage lightly It acts as a counter irritant and improves blood
circulation.
In a
stiff neck�It is a common practice to apply mustard oil on a stiff neck and run a rolling pin over on the neck to ease the stiffness and pain.
In
leg cramps�Massage the feet and legs with warm mustard oil prepared by adding a few pieces of ginger, some pepper powder and cumin seeds; this relieves the tired legs and refreshes
the muscles.
In
headache�Applying a paste of mustard over the temples mixed in oil for a heavy head serves as a counter irritant and relieves heaviness and congestion in the head
