Is table mustard good for health? What are the benefits of mustard for the body, application. Here are the most valuable of them

Sooner or later, every gardener has to face the problem of soil depletion on his site. Until recently, organic and mineral fertilizers were actively used to restore the quality and fertility of tired soils. However, in last years Among farmers, the most popular method is green manure, the essence of which is to grow plants with soil-improving properties in depleted areas.

One of the most affordable and versatile green manures is white mustard (English) - an unpretentious winter-hardy crop that allows you to turn the most modest piece of land into a blooming vegetable garden at minimal cost.

Description and properties of culture

White mustard is a herbaceous insect-pollinated annual 20-100 cm high with a stiff, bare, erect stem branched at the top. The leaves of the plant have a lyre-pinnately cut shape. White or yellow flowers, collected in multi-flowered (from 25 to 100 pcs.) loose clusters, bloom in June-July. In August, fruits ripen in their place - straight or curved tuberculate pods filled with round light yellow seeds.

White mustard rightfully bears the title of one of the most effective soil-improving crops. When sowing for green manure, it performs a number of important functions:

• loosens, drains and structures the soil on the site, lightens heavy loams and binds sandstones;
• enriches the arable and subarable layers with microelements (NPK) and useful organic substances;
• root secretions of green manure disinfect the soil, destroying pathogens of late blight, scab, fusarium, rhizoctonia and other dangerous infections;
• due to the rapid growth of green mass, it suppresses weeds;
• repels such malicious garden pests as wireworms, slugs, and pea codling moth;
• protects the soil from drying out and cracking in hot weather;
• prevents the leaching of nutrients from the soil by melt or rainwater;
• mustard grass left standing protects the soil from freezing and retains snow on the site;
• attracts pollinating insects during flowering;
• promotes the active development of earthworms and effective microorganisms in the soil;
• in joint plantings it stimulates the growth of legumes and grapes.

However, despite such obvious advantages, mustard has a serious drawback - low resistance to fungal diseases and pests of cruciferous crops.

Timing of sowing work

Since white mustard is a cold-resistant plant, they begin to sow it quite early: in the middle zone - in late March-early April, and in the southern regions - in late February - early March. To enrich severely depleted soils, sowing is carried out three times per season: in spring, mid-summer and autumn, immediately after harvesting the main crop. With triple green manure, mustard from spring and summer sowing is removed (mowed or plowed), and autumn grass is left in the winter without mowing as living mulch.

It is worth considering that the later mustard is sowed, the smaller the yield of green mass will be, however, other green manure functions of the plant will be performed in full.

Recipe for the occasion::

Important! Re-sowing mustard in the same place is allowed no earlier than after 3-4 years.

Place in crop rotation

Like most cruciferous crops, white mustard is an ideal predecessor for cucumbers, squash, zucchini, pumpkins, watermelons and other pumpkins. Excellent harvests after it are produced by tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, onions and garlic, peppers, carrots, and herbs.

It is strictly forbidden to grow related crops after cruciferous green manure: cabbage (all types), radishes, rutabaga, radish, turnips, turnips, horseradish. Planting beets is also undesirable, because they and mustard have a common enemy - soil nematode.

The best predecessors for green manure itself are legumes, grains and different kinds perennial herbs. The worst are all cruciferous vegetables and sunflowers. It is recommended to plant the main crop on the site no earlier than 2-3 weeks after harvesting the biomass.

Sowing technology

As a green manure, white mustard works successfully on all types of soil, with the exception of dense loams. The permissible pH value is from 4.5 to 8.2 pH. Before starting the main work, the area is dug up or plowed to a depth of 20-25 cm. Seeds are sown in soil heated to 8-10 °C to a depth of 2-3 cm. The consumption rate of seed material in spring and summer is 2-4 g/m², in autumn - 5-6 g/m². When sowing in early spring, it is recommended to cover the area with film or non-woven material for the first time so that the clearly visible green manure seeds do not become prey for birds.

Partial germination of white mustard seeds is observed already at +2 °C, and at temperatures from +5 °C to +10 °C, friendly shoots appear 3-4 days after sowing. Seedlings easily tolerate cold temperatures down to -5 °C, and adult plants can withstand more severe frosts.

Growing conditions

Caring for white mustard is simple. All that green manure needs for full development is abundant watering in hot, dry weather and preventative spraying against pests. Mustard does not need additional feeding: thanks to its powerful, well-developed roots, the plants are able to absorb nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus from the soil, and therefore do not experience nutritional deficiency even on the heaviest and most infertile soils.

Diseases and pests

Being a typical representative of the Cruciferous (Cabbage) family, white mustard is vulnerable to diseases such as rust, powdery mildew, downy mildew, white and red rot, and cabbage mosaic. Against fungal infections, plantings are treated with copper-containing preparations (copper oxychloride, Bordeaux mixture, copper sulfate). Bushes affected by mosaic are immediately pulled out and burned to avoid the spread of infection, since this viral disease cannot be treated.

Green manure mustard is harvested at the very beginning of flowering. In no case should you delay this matter: during the period of flower stalk formation, the leaf petioles and stems of the plant become coarser, and the concentration of nutrients in the green mass is significantly reduced. There are several ways to deal with crops:

• cut with a flat cutter at a depth of 6-7 cm, chop the greens with a bayonet shovel and sprinkle with a thin layer of earth;
• plow the area with a cultivator and incorporate biomass into the soil;
• mow the grass and send it to the compost heap to rot;
• leave it standing as a living mulch (for autumn sowing).

To speed up humification, green manure mustard after harvesting is watered with solutions of EM fertilizers (Baikal EM-1, Siyanie-1, Zorka, Stimulin, Bizar). Each of these drugs is a complex symbiotic complex of beneficial microorganisms: bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, which take an active part in the decomposition of organic matter. In the absence of ready-made microfertilizer, it is recommended to water the biomass with fermented herbal infusion or ordinary warm water. The main thing is not to let the green fertilizer dry out.

One of the most popular seasonings is mustard. Its benefits and harms have been sufficiently studied. Therefore, it is known that it not only gives dishes a piquant taste, but also has healing properties.

Composition of the product

The benefits of mustard are explained by its composition. It contains a significant percentage of proteins and fats, vitamins and minerals.

• Vitamin A. Can be stored in this product for more than six months. Helps maintain visual acuity and is needed for beautiful hair and skin.
• Vitamin D. The most important element that is needed for the absorption of calcium by the body.
• Vitamin E. A powerful antioxidant that protects cells from the effects of free radicals. It slows down the aging process, improves the condition of the skin and hair. Women should receive it in sufficient quantities, as it has a positive effect on the reproductive system.
• Polyunsaturated acids: peanut, linoleic, linolenic, oleic, erucic. They are needed for a variety of processes in the body and help normalize cholesterol levels in the blood.
• Minerals: calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, iron, sodium. Thanks to them, the product helps strengthen bones and teeth, and has a beneficial effect on the circulatory and nervous systems.
• Sinigrin and sinalbin. It is these elements that give the spice its piquant taste. In addition, they promote the removal of sputum in respiratory diseases.

Mustard is also valued for the dietary fiber it contains, essential oils and special enzymes.

Effect on the body

The benefits and harms to the body of this product are determined by the influence of certain components. Positive qualities prevail. Mustard improves appetite and increases saliva production. It helps to lose weight as it breaks down fats and normalizes metabolism. In addition, the enzymes in its composition promote the digestion of heavy protein foods. The spice is recommended to be consumed together with meat dishes, in order to avoid heaviness in the stomach. It reduces bloating and has a mild laxative effect.

Antibacterial and antifungal qualities are no less important. Mustard seeds, from which the seasoning is obtained, effectively cope with inflammation. It is recommended to use them for problems associated with the cardiovascular system, liver, and gall bladder. Spice has a positive effect on blood circulation in the brain and improves memory.

Mustard has proven itself well in the treatment of colds and respiratory diseases. It promotes the removal of phlegm and the rapid passage of cough.

When buying mustard, you should choose a quality product. The composition should not contain harmful preservatives, alcohol vinegar, or flavorings.

There is also a salad type of this plant. Mustard greens are used as mustard plasters. Fresh leaves can be eaten. They contain many useful substances, including vitamin K, which helps strengthen joints and bones and prevents Alzheimer's disease.

These leaves are best eaten raw; when processed, they lose a significant amount of important components. It's best to add them to salads or use them as a side dish.

Consuming mustard powder and oil

Mustard can be used not only internally, but also externally. Mustard powder obtained after pressing edible oil is best suited for this. For colds, bronchitis, skin and joint diseases, insect bites, apply compresses in the right places. To do this, the powder is diluted with warm water until a homogeneous mass is obtained. It is important that the water is not too hot: at high temperatures, enzymes that break down glycosides are destroyed, and the product loses medicinal properties. It is not recommended to leave compresses on the skin for longer than 10 minutes.

The benefits of mustard for the body are noticeable even after taking baths with this substance. 0.5 kg of mustard powder should be diluted with water and then poured into the bath. The duration of the procedure is 10 minutes. The body will warm up during this time, and the pain will subside. Next you need to lie down under a warm blanket.

Another way to use it is to pour the powder into socks when you have a cold. And to remove discomfort for rheumatism, mix 100 g of mustard powder and camphor, add 20 g of alcohol and 1 egg. Then apply compresses to the affected areas for 30 minutes.

Helpful too. It contains many vitamins, nicotinic acid, chlorophylls, unsaturated fatty acids and other necessary elements. It has an unusual taste and aroma and affects the body in the following way:

• improves blood composition;
• as a natural antibiotic it has antibacterial, antifungal and anthelmintic properties;
• normalizes digestion, increases appetite;
• improves metabolic processes;
• promotes the dilation of blood vessels, increases their elasticity.

Compared to mustard, there is much more vitamin D in mustard, and vitamins A and E last longer.

Contraindications and possible harm

Although mustard seeds can have a positive effect on the body, there are contraindications. This product should be avoided if you have a peptic ulcer, nephritis, or an allergic reaction.

Mustard is very hot, and if you eat too much of it, you can burn the mucous membranes in your mouth and even in your intestines. It is not recommended to give it to children under 10 years of age, as they have a much more delicate body than an adult.

It is necessary to remember about the burning property of mustard when used externally. If you keep a compress with this substance for too long, there is a risk of getting a burn. This is especially true for the scalp.

Application in cosmetology

Using mustard, you can improve the condition of your skin and hair. This is why masks are made. Most often, this product is used to speed up hair growth. Mustard has the property of warming up the area to which it is applied, thereby improving blood circulation and stimulating the hair follicles. It is enough to apply it to the scalp every other day. If a burning sensation occurs, the substance should be washed off. The duration of the procedure should not exceed half an hour. It is not allowed to do it if there are wounds on the skin.

To make your hair less oily, you can make the following mask. Stir a small spoon of mustard powder in a glass of warm water. Apply the resulting composition to the hair roots for 5 minutes.

For dry hair, the following mixture is suitable: 1 large spoon of sour cream and olive oil and a teaspoon of mustard powder and butter. All components should be thoroughly mixed and lubricated along the entire length of the hair.

You can also make face masks. The following remedy will help maintain skin elasticity and improve complexion. The apple needs to be grated, then its pulp is mixed with a teaspoon of mustard powder and an egg. Distribute the composition on gauze and place it on the face for 15 minutes. And if you prepare a decoction based on white lily flowers, dilute the powder with it and add an equal amount of honey, you will get a product for whitening freckles.

Types of mustard and methods of preparation

Mustard is very popular in cooking. It goes well with many foods: meat and fish, bread, vegetables.

Exist different types product, we list the most common ones.

• Dijon mustard. It has a pronounced taste and smell, and its consistency is uniform. It differs in that it is prepared using wine rather than vinegar. It is traditionally prepared from black grains.
• Russian. To make it, use Sarepta mustard seed. Of all the varieties of table mustard, this type is the hottest.
• English. Made from white mustard seeds. There is practically no smell, so additional spices are usually added to it. Traditional recipe involves the use of flour and.
• Grainy. The same type of herb is used as for Dijon mustard, but the preparation technology is different. The seeds are not crushed to a homogeneous mass; the product has a pronounced granular structure. It has a mild taste and a medium degree of spiciness.

Mustard is easy to purchase at any store. But so as not to have to doubt its quality, you can make it yourself. For example, Russian mustard is prepared like this:

1. 300 g of mustard powder is stirred in 500 ml of warm water, placed in a warm place overnight;
2. in the morning, add 100 g of sugar, 2 large tablespoons of salt, 50 ml olive oil, 3 tablespoons of vinegar to the resulting mass;
3. at your discretion, add nuts crushed to a powder;
4. then stir to achieve a uniform consistency.

Dijon mustard can also be made at home. They do it like this. Two glasses of white wine are poured into a small saucepan, two cloves of garlic and 85 g of onion, previously chopped, are added to it. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes over low heat. When the mixture has cooled, it must be strained. Place 120 ml of dry mustard in another container, pour wine, add 2 large spoons of honey, a large spoon vegetable oil, a teaspoon of salt, 4 drops of Tabasco sauce. Mix everything thoroughly and then place it on the fire. Remove when the mixture thickens.

Mustard is a wonderful herb whose seeds are used to produce a pungent spice. Its healing properties will have a positive effect on the body.

Mustard is considered the most popular dressing for various dishes. It is consumed in combination with bread, snacks and even soups. Mustard powder is used to treat colds in adults and children. Such widespread demand encourages people to look for information that addresses the beneficial properties of the product and its potential harm. Today we will deal with the important aspects in order.

Composition and properties of mustard

The product is rich in essential oils, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and organic acids. Among the latter there are behenic acid, erucic acid, oleic acid, linolenic acid, linoleic acid, lignoceric acid, and myristic acid.

Mustard is not deprived of protein, ascorbic acid, sinigrin (glycoside), provitamin A, dietary fiber (including plant fiber).

It also makes sense to isolate mucous substances, B vitamins, vitamin K, vitamin P, small amounts of carbohydrates, and mineral compounds. Of the beneficial enzymes, the most valuable are sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, zinc, boron, rubidium and chromium.

Such a high and balanced chemical composition has endowed mustard with a lot of useful properties. It has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and wound-healing effects.

In addition, the composition facilitates the removal of mucus in the respiratory tract, calms and at the same time gives vigor, removes cholesterol from the blood channels (prevention of atherosclerosis).

Mustard solution is often used to disinfect abrasions; the product is used to treat fungus on the legs. Mustard is indicated for use during vitamin deficiency and with naturally low immunity.

The list of properties doesn't end there. The burning dressing gently opens blood channels, tones the body, and reduces the degree of contamination by toxins.

The effect of mustard

• helps accelerate intestinal motility and normalize its microflora;
• enhances all metabolic processes;
• fights bloating and flatulence;
• strengthens the protective shell (immune system);
• opens the vessels and makes their walls dense;
• stimulates hair growth, fights alopecia in women and men;
• increases appetite;
• used in the treatment and prevention of cancer;
• treats stomatitis, increases salivation;
• reduces blood sugar levels;
• fights high blood and intracranial pressure;
• increases blood circulation;
• slows down early aging of tissues of internal organs;
• used to combat excess weight;
• cleanses the skin of acne;
• disinfects wounds and abrasions;
• used in the form of compresses to relieve joint pain;
• treats bruises;
• increases the body's resistance to viruses;
• removes toxic substances and waste;
• eliminates fecal stones, prevents hemorrhoids;
• accelerates the absorption of food, does not allow it to ferment in the esophagus;
• calms the nervous system.

The above actions are not the entire list. Mustard is widely used in the treatment of hypertension, rhinitis, tonsillitis, cough, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Traditional healers use it for rheumatism, neurodermatitis, epilepsy, dermatological diseases, and pleurisy.

1. Most often, mustard is used for cosmetic purposes for weight loss. We are not talking about excessive consumption of snacks. Girls prefer to do wraps and masks, which have a burning effect, penetrate the skin and accelerate the breakdown of cellulite.
2. Bactericidal and anti-inflammatory properties encourage people to use mustard to treat colds, fungal infections, and other ailments associated with damage by pathogenic microorganisms. Mustard kills microbes and removes them from the cavity of internal organs.
3. For vitamin deficiency, seasonal infections, and colds, mustard is indispensable. It is used to soar your feet, and the powder is poured into socks to reduce body temperature and fight a runny nose. The product increases blood circulation and promotes a speedy recovery. Often this effect is indispensable in winter.
4. Leading drug manufacturers produce mustard patches on pharmacy shelves. Using them, you can easily cure a prolonged cough, bronchitis, pneumonia, neuralgic diseases and rheumatism.
5. Due to its warming effect, mustard is indispensable for neuritis, gout, radiculitis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system. To reduce the oiliness of your hair and scalp, as well as eliminate hair loss, prepare masks with mustard.
6. The product is widely used to treat dermatological problems. Thus, mustard helps to cope with psoriasis, neurodermatitis, and purulent rashes. The product also has a beneficial effect on the skin of the face, as it eliminates blackheads and acne.
7. Interestingly, mustard is an aphrodisiac. It stimulates blood flow to the groin area, thereby improving potency in men. As for women, the composition is used for problems with conception and even infertility.
8. Due to the effective stimulation of brain neurons, visual perception, memory, and concentration improve. Mustard also had an effect on the nervous system. The product eliminates chronic fatigue, fights the effects of stress and depressive disorders.
9. Meat, fish, and mushroom dishes are often seasoned with mustard seeds. This is necessary to improve the digestibility of food and eliminate its fermentation. Mustard normalizes intestinal motility, cleanses the body of severe congestion and toxins.
10. Mustard is used to prepare oil, which is much more nutritious and healthier. When frying, it does not release carcinogens, which accumulate in the form of toxic compounds. The oil is used mainly for cosmetic purposes to treat skin and hair related problems.

Treatment of colds with mustard

1. To overcome seasonal illnesses, an adult, like a child, can put mustard powder in his socks. To avoid getting burns, wash your feet thoroughly and dry them before the procedure.
2. You need to pour 50 grams into each thick sock. powder. As a rule, 2-4 procedures are enough for complete recovery. The composition cures ARVI and common colds.

Treatment of cough with mustard

Compress

1. If you have a severe cough, a compress with mustard and honey will help relieve the problem. Before doing this, you need to stretch the skin of your back and chest.
2. Next, combine 50 grams in a total container. honey and powder. Add 30 g to the ingredients. lard or premium olive oil.
3. After preparing the composition, fold the gauze cloth several times. Spread the gauze with the prepared mixture. Apply the mixture to the skin of your chest and back.
4. The procedure time is half an hour, no more. To improve the effect, it is recommended to wrap the body with a warm cloth. After the procedure, go to bed under a thick blanket.

Cake

1. The nutritional components of mustard and honey easily penetrate the layers of the skin and relieve a person from illness. The products increase blood circulation, which has a positive effect on the bronchi. The sputum becomes liquefied and comes out easily.
2. To prepare the product, mix 12 grams in a cup. wheat flour, 15 gr. honey, 10 ml. vegetable oil and 30 gr. mustard powder. Get the ingredients into a homogeneous mass, then bake in the oven.
3. Remove the product as soon as a brownish tint appears. The resulting mass must be wrapped in gauze. Place the product on your chest or back. Wrap your body in a warm cloth. The manipulation time is about half an hour. Carry out the procedure 2 times a day until complete recovery.

1. The product cures colds no worse than classic mustard plasters. The principle of the procedure is exactly the same as for adults. The spice perfectly warms the body and improves blood circulation. As a result, sore throat and runny nose disappear.
2. Treatment is prohibited if the child is less than 1 year old. Also, the procedure is contraindicated at high body temperature in the acute form of the disease. Pour 20 grams into cotton socks. mustard powder.
3. It is recommended to wear others over one pair of socks. The procedure will take 6-8 hours. It's better to do this before bed. Continue the course of treatment until complete recovery. Make sure that your socks do not get wet, otherwise burns cannot be avoided.

The harm of mustard

1. Mustard may not have the best effect on human health. This may result in unstable heartbeat, shortness of breath, inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract, loss of consciousness and burns of the oral cavity.
2. It is forbidden to consume mustard before bedtime. Otherwise, problems are guaranteed for you. It is also possible that your health may deteriorate. Essential oils in the product provoke itching, irritation and redness of the skin, burns.
3. It is forbidden to eat mustard if you have enterocolitis, gastritis, colitis and tuberculosis. The spice provokes the release of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. In addition, mustard increases appetite, so the component is not recommended if you are prone to obesity.

The beneficial properties of mustard cannot but rejoice. The product has a wide range of essential properties and is fully balanced chemical composition. In addition to treating colds, mustard copes with other more complex ailments. But in order to experience all the benefits, it is necessary to exclude existing contraindications.

Video: benefits of mustard for the body