MUSTARD BOTANICAL NAME: Brassica spp. FAMILY : Brassicaceae The oil obtained from various species of Brassica is known as rape oil or mustard oil. Some important species of Mustard which are extensively grown : 1.Brassica juncea (Indian mustard) 2.B. Compestris var. sarson(yellow mustard) 3.B. Napus (Kali mustard) 4.B. Compestris var. dichotoma (Brown mustard) BOTANICAL NAME: Brassica spp. FAMILY : Brassicaceae The oil obtained from various species of Brassica is known as rape oil or mustard oil. Some important species of Mustard which are extensively grown : 1.Brassica juncea (Indian mustard) 2.B. Compestris var. sarson(yellow mustard) 3.B. Napus (Kali mustard) 4.B. Compestris var. dichotoma (Brown mustard)

Origin and distribution All species of Brassica are the native of temperate part of the world. Europe, central and south Asia, and China are main centers of genetic diversity. Indian mustard was introduced in India from China into the north eastern India. Mustard crop is grown in China, India, Pakistan, Canada, France, Poland and Germany. All species of Brassica are the native of temperate part of the world. Europe, central and south Asia, and China are main centers of genetic diversity. Indian mustard was introduced in India from China into the north eastern India. Mustard crop is grown in China, India, Pakistan, Canada, France, Poland and Germany.

Botanical characteristics Mustard plants are annual herbs attaining the height of 1.5 meter. Leaves are lyrate. Flowers are small, yellow arranged in a corymbs' racemes. The corolla is typically cruciform. Fruit is siliqua with small beak. Seeds are small, spherical, yellow or brown to black with marked reticulation on their surface.

Mustard producing areas in India India is the largest producer of mustard in the world. The chief producers of mustard are UP., Haryana,Punjab,Rajasthan, MP., and Assam. Major production of mustard comes from UP.

Mustard cultivation in India

Mustard cultivation Mustard is grown as rabi crop either as a pure crop or mixed with wheat, legumes, sugarcane etc. Medium or heavy soil is suitable for the crop. Mustard is sown in October and harvested After 160 days when the pods are slightly green in color. The dried crop is shattered to give away the seeds. Extraction of oil is done in Ghani, or expellers. Solvent extraction method is also used. Mustard is grown as rabi crop either as a pure crop or mixed with wheat, legumes, sugarcane etc. Medium or heavy soil is suitable for the crop. Mustard is sown in October and harvested After 160 days when the pods are slightly green in color. The dried crop is shattered to give away the seeds. Extraction of oil is done in Ghani, or expellers. Solvent extraction method is also used.

Properties of mustard oil Mustard oil is a pale yellow semi drying oil which does not form a solid film on exposure to air. The oil contains 7% moisture, 36% fat, and 25% nitrogenous substance. Erucic acid is the characteristic fatty acid of mustard oil. Oleic, linoleic, plamitic,stearic and linoceric acids are other important fatty acids. Pungency of the oil is because of the presence of allyl-iso- thiocyanate formed by the hydrolysis of sinigrin present in the mustard seed.

Health benefits of mustard oil Stimulant: Mustard essential oil is a very strong stimulant, just like mustard oil. It is particularly effective in stimulating circulation, digestion and excretion. This oil, if used externally for the purpose of massage, stimulates circulation very well. The effects are very obvious by the red color of the skin. It also stimulates digestion by stimulating the secretion of gastric juices and bile from the spleen and liver. The excretory system is also stimulated by this oil since the peristaltic motion of the intestines is activated, benefiting digestion.

Irritant: Although being an irritant is not often seen as a good thing, it can be beneficial in some unique cases. Irritation is nothing but a way that an organ reacts to an external agent or stimulus. It also shows that the organ is responding to external stimuli. This is where the potential benefit is. This property can be used to bring sensation back to those organs which are suffering from numbness or lack of sensation. This property is also used to pump up muscles and stimulate muscle growth or excitation.

Appetizer: This essential oil acts as an appetizer and boosts huger. This can also be a side effect of the irritant and stimulant qualities of mustard essential oil. It irritates the inner lining of the stomach and intestines, stimulates digestive juices, and creates a feeling of hunger. Antibacterial: This essential oil has bactericidal or antibacterial properties. Internally, it fights bacterial infections in the colon, digestive system, excretory system, and urinary tract. When applied externally, it can treat bacterial infections on the skin.

Antifungal: This oil serves as an antifungal agent, due to the presence of Allyl Isothiocyanate. It does not allow fungal growth and also inhibits the spread of infection if it has already formed. Insect Repellant: Insects and even some smaller animals avoid this oil and keep away from it. That is why mustard essential oil acts as such a useful insect repellant as well. It can be used in fumigants and vaporizers to drive away insects. Hair Revitalizer: The stimulating effect and the presence of certain fatty acids such as oleic acid and linoleic acid, when combined together, make mustard essential oil an efficient hair revitalizer. Its stimulating effects increase blood circulation in the scalp while the fatty acids nourish the hair roots. It has been repeatedly shown that prolonged use of this oil on the hair may give it a brown tint, but it strengthens it and effectively prevents hair loss. Antifungal: This oil serves as an antifungal agent, due to the presence of Allyl Isothiocyanate. It does not allow fungal growth and also inhibits the spread of infection if it has already formed. Insect Repellant: Insects and even some smaller animals avoid this oil and keep away from it. That is why mustard essential oil acts as such a useful insect repellant as well. It can be used in fumigants and vaporizers to drive away insects. Hair Revitalizer: The stimulating effect and the presence of certain fatty acids such as oleic acid and linoleic acid, when combined together, make mustard essential oil an efficient hair revitalizer. Its stimulating effects increase blood circulation in the scalp while the fatty acids nourish the hair roots. It has been repeatedly shown that prolonged use of this oil on the hair may give it a brown tint, but it strengthens it and effectively prevents hair loss.

Cordial: The feeling of warmth that this oil provides makes it a cordial. It warms up the internal system like the respiratory system and protects it from the formation and accumulation of phlegm. It also warms up the body in winter to some extent. This also may be partially due to its stimulating and mildly irritating effects. Diaphoretic: It promotes sweating both when consumed and when applied externally. It stimulates sweat glands to produce more sweat as well as enlarges the openings of the pores on skin. This property is helpful in lowering body temperature as well as for removing toxins, excess salts, and water from the body. Tonic: This oil serves as an all around tonic for your body’s health. It tones up all the systems operating in the body, gives strength and boosts immune function. Cordial: The feeling of warmth that this oil provides makes it a cordial. It warms up the internal system like the respiratory system and protects it from the formation and accumulation of phlegm. It also warms up the body in winter to some extent. This also may be partially due to its stimulating and mildly irritating effects. Diaphoretic: It promotes sweating both when consumed and when applied externally. It stimulates sweat glands to produce more sweat as well as enlarges the openings of the pores on skin. This property is helpful in lowering body temperature as well as for removing toxins, excess salts, and water from the body. Tonic: This oil serves as an all around tonic for your body’s health. It tones up all the systems operating in the body, gives strength and boosts immune function.

Anti-Rheumatic & Anti-Arthritic: Mustard essential oil provides relief for symptoms of rheumatism and arthritis and has been used for this purpose since ancient times. Other Benefits: It is beneficial in treating cold & cough, headache, congestion resulting from colds, aches, body pain and is helpful for muscle growth. It can also be rubbed on gums to strengthen them. It also protects teeth from germs. This oil contains a good percentage of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamin-E, which all have their own extensive health benefits. Anti-Rheumatic & Anti-Arthritic: Mustard essential oil provides relief for symptoms of rheumatism and arthritis and has been used for this purpose since ancient times. Other Benefits: It is beneficial in treating cold & cough, headache, congestion resulting from colds, aches, body pain and is helpful for muscle growth. It can also be rubbed on gums to strengthen them. It also protects teeth from germs. This oil contains a good percentage of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamin-E, which all have their own extensive health benefits.

The oil cake The oil cake is an excellent fertilizer and cattle feed

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