Have you heard your granny or mother using the word ‘Kachi Ghani Sarson Tel’ day in and day out, or ever wondered why those fervent television commercials reiterate the same word many times? Intense as it may sound, 'Kachi Ghani' is nothing, but the form of cold-pressed mustard oil also called raw-grade mustard oil. Known for its culinary as well as therapeutic uses, mustard oil is not new to Indian culture. It has been in our kitchens for more than three thousand years. Derived from mustard seeds, the oil goes by the scientific name, Brassica Juncea and is an herbaceous plant of the family Brassicaceae. Hippocrates the Greek physician used mustard seeds for preparing essential medicines to cure chronic diseases. During those days, it was also used as a remedy for scorpion stings. With time, the oil started gaining popularity in other parts of the world besides Rome, Greece, and India for its culinary uses as well. Today, mustard oil is considered one of the healthiest oils on earth.

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Mustard oil has many common names. Besides Sarson Tel in Hindi, it is called Saray Tel in Bengali, Kadugu Ennai in Tamil, Avanune in Telugu, Mohariche Tel in Marathi, Kadugenna in Malayalam, Sorisha Tela in Odia, and Rainu Tel in Gujarati. The oil is derived in two ways, one is by pressing and getting the oil and the second method is by grinding the seeds, mixing them, and then extracting it through the distillation process.

What Makes Mustard Oil Super Special?

The nutritional profile of mustard oil is fabulous. Mustard oil is rich in vitamins A, B, Vitamin E, calcium, and protein. It also has significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, besides monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. These are considered good fats as they do not get accumulated on the arterial walls of the heart. The active compound that makes this oil extremely pungent is isothiocyanate. It also contains glucosinolate and alpha-linolenic acid which benefits the body in many ways. Among all the variants of mustard oil, Kachi Ghani is the most popular form. This oil type is derived through the cold-pressed method; therefore, it retains a lot of antioxidants and nutrients during its extraction process.

Health Benefits Of Mustard Oil

Mustard oil specifically the cold pressed one is cardio-protective due to the presence of monounsaturated fatty acids. It is a healthy option for people with heart-related anomalies because it contains zero trans-fat, does not turn rancid, balances cholesterol levels, and reduces triglycerides. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory property of mustard oil helps to treat joint-related pain. Mustard oil stimulates the digestive tract and helps to produce more digestive juices, blocks microbial growth, stimulates the release of bile, and aids food movement through the digestive system. This helps in keeping the digestive system in good health. Due to strong anti-microbial properties, it can fight against harmful microorganisms including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus. Last but not the least, this oil has many beauty incentives too. Laden with powerful anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal qualities, this powerful oil helps to keep skin infections at bay and augment hair health as well.

Skin Benefits Of Mustard Oil

 Combats Fine Lines And Wrinkles

Mustard oil has several beneficial Vitamins such as A, and E along with alpha-linolenic acid and Omega-3 fatty acids. These components help to prevent the damage caused by free radicals that are a prime culprit for premature ageing. Mustard oil also encourages collagen production which is needed to keep your skin elastic and youthful.

 Exfoliates Dead Skin

Mustard oil is a proven cleanser for grime-ridden skin. As a natural cleanser, it can brighten the skin tone of your face by unclogging closed pores. This helps in deep exfoliation and nourishment of the skin.

 Treats Skin Rashes

Imbued with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, mustard oil has been an age-old remedy for curing skin infections as well as skin rashes and treating conditions like pimples and itching. The oil has also been a remedial solution to cure hives caused by mild to chronic skin allergies.

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Mustard Oil Easy Home Remedies

• Omega-3 fatty acids present in this oil help to ease stiffness and pain in the joints. People with arthritis-related pains experience relief after mustard oil massage. A full body massage with lukewarm mustard oil also helps to nourish the skin from within
• Mustard oil boiled with henna and curry leaves is a very popular remedy to increase hair growth, reduce hair fall and strengthen the hair follicles. When it is mixed with coconut oil and a few drops of castor oil, it penetrates the roots, helps to reduce the dryness, gives extra softness to the manes, and retains their moisture
• Mustard oil is known to regulate respiration and breathing process. A good quality cold-pressed mustard oil can be applied on the tip of nostrils and inhaled every night before going to bed. This will help in keeping the nasal passages moistened and reduce sneezing, cold and clear chest congestion. Alternatively, rubbing lukewarm oil on the chest also alleviates acute congestion
• Mustard oil is high in vitamin E and alpha-linolenic acid. It is known for hydrating parched skin and keeping nails strong. Mustard oil can be topically applied on nails and massaged to reduce brittleness
• The oil is extensively used to cure cracked heels. A paste using equal parts of mustard oil and paraffin wax can be made and stored. Application of this paste on the cracks of heels every night will help to soften the heels

Side Effects

Just like any other oil, excessive use of mustard oil can be detrimental to health. Some variants of mustard oil contain high amounts of erucic acid which can be harmful if used in high dosages. Excessive application on the skin may cause minor to significant skin irritation. A harmful chemical called allyl isothiocyanate is present in mustard oil which may cause inflammation of the lungs and severe gastrointestinal diseases. The idea is to use it in limited amounts both for consumption as well as for the application.