5 Amazing Benefits Of Mustard Oil For Your Health

“It’s just an oil,” you would think. What’s so special about an oil made from seeds?
Well, mustard oil is not just like any other oil you use in your cooking. It is a true superhero.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Mustard Oil?

The health benefits of mustard oil are multiple. It is known to cure diseases and problems related to the heart, skin, joints, muscles, and so much more. Following are some of the well-known benefits of this wonder oil.

 

1. Helps fight bacteria and fungus

Mustard oil is known to contain antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Its anti-inflammatory properties are attributed to the presence of selenium, which reduces pain and swelling, thus easing joint pain. This anti-inflammatory property of mustard oil also finds its use in the formulation of diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory medication

 

2. Good for heart health

Mustard oil contains rich amounts of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (MUFA and PUFA) as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These good fats lower your risk of developing ischemic heart disease by 50% .

According to a study done by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, including mustard oil in your regular diet could prove to be beneficial to your heart health. Being a rich source of MUFA, it lowers bad cholesterol in the body, thus keeping a check on blood fat levels and helping in circulation.

 

3. Improves the skin and hair

Mustard oil is often applied externally, especially during massages. The oil has high levels of vitamin E, which helps improve skin health. It can help protect the skin against free radicals from ultraviolet light and pollution, and can even help reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Additionally, when rubbed into the skin, the vitamin E in the oil can help promote circulation and immunity.

Mustard oil contains beta-carotene which is excellent for hair growth when massaged into the scalp. It activates blood circulation, and its anti-bacterial properties prevent scalp infections

 

4. Increases body metabolism

Instead of making digestion more difficult, food cooked in mustard oil helps improve digestion. Mustard oil is a very potent stimulant, and can help the liver and spleen produce increased levels of digestive enzymes, which can increase the speed of digestion and body’s metabolic capacity. The diaphoretic ability of mustard oil can also help in flushing out toxins from the body.

 

5. Cough and cold relief

Owing to its pungent nature, mustard oil has been used to cure cold and cough since decades.

It contains a heating property that clears up the congestion in the respiratory tract. It works best when combined with garlic and massaged on the chest and back.

Another method of using mustard oil for clearing cold and cough is using steam treatment. Add caraway seeds and a few spoonfuls of mustard oil to a pot of boiling water and inhale the steam. This clears the phlegm build-up in the respiratory tract.