Botanical Overview
Latin Name: Brassica nigra (semen)
Family: Brassicaceae
Parts Used: Seed
Common Names: Black mustard seed, Black mustard
Energetics
The seed is warming and drying in nature with a pungent and bitter taste profile. It is considered tonifying with an upward and outward directionality affecting qi and blood.
Primary Actions
- Carminative
- Expectorant
- Rubefacient
- Stimulant
Indications
Western
- Muscle pain
- Rheumatic pain
- Bronchitis
- Cough
- Indigestion
- Flatulence
Syndromes
- Musculoskeletal pain
- Respiratory congestion
- Digestive sluggishness
TCM
No well-documented traditional use in TCM.
Ayurveda
- Congestion
- Joint stiffness
- Poor digestion
Syndromes
- Vata disorders
- Kapha congestion
Unani
- Muscle aches
- Coldness in limbs
Syndromes
- Musculoskeletal cold conditions
Constituents & Mechanisms
Seeds contain glucosinolates such as sinigrin, which upon enzymatic hydrolysis release allyl isothiocyanate, responsible for pungency and rubefacient effects. Essential oils contribute to carminative and expectorant properties.
Dosage & Preparations
- Powder for poultice
- Mustard plasters for external use
- Infusion 1-2 g taken 1-3 times daily
- Oil extracts used topically for muscle pain
Safety & Contraindications
Use with caution due to potential skin and mucous membrane irritation. Not recommended during pregnancy, gastric ulcers, or gastritis. External use should be carefully monitored to avoid burns or allergic reactions.
Astrological Correspondences
No credible or well-supported planetary or elemental rulership found in authoritative sources.
Selected References
- Brassica nigra – Black Mustard, Plants For A Future
- Assessment report on Black mustard seed, European Medicines Agency (2014)
- Mustard Seeds and Mustard Oil, National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (2020)