There are some ingredients that can never be replaced in the Indian
household. Not only are they essential in creating various regional delicacies,
their uses are manifold and extend beyond the confines of the kitchen. One such
example is mustard oil.
It is hard to imagine life without a bottle of mustard oil at
home. It is believed to have miraculous properties, and therefore is used as a
remedy to treat cold, boost immunity, encourage hair growth, provide
nourishment to skin (especially in case of babies who are massaged with mustard
oil during winters and made to sunbathe for a dose of Vitamin D and also to
strengthen the bones), oral health, so on and so forth.
Mustard oil (rai ka tel) is extracted from mustard seeds
(black, brown and white), and is reddish brown or amber in colour. It has been
commonly used in North and East India since ancient times, and comes with a
bevy of health benefits.
1. Good Source of MUFA
Mustard oil is highly recommended for the reason that it is full
of monounsaturated fatty acids. Our body needs oil in the ratio of 3:1 - three
parts of polyunsaturated fatty acids and one part of saturated fatty acids.
Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) come under polyunsaturated. Mustard oil is
full of MUFA which is very essential for our health. It's good for the heart,
lightens skin, helps in hair growth, prevents premature graying of hair, etc.
2. Promotes Heart Health
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. The results also stated that the use of mustard oil,
which is rich in alpha-linolenic acid, was associated with a lower IHD risk
(Ischemic Heart Disease) than with the use of sunflower oil.
3. Protects Against Infection
Mustard oil has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral
properties. Its external as well as internal usage is said to help in multiple
ways to fight against infections, including digestive tract infections.
4. Helps Blood Circulation
According to Ayurveda, using mustard oil for body massage
improves blood circulation, skin texture and releases muscular tension. It also
activates the sweat glands and hence helps in throwing out toxins from the
body. As such, it acts as a natural cleanser.
5. Good for Skin
Mustard oil is loaded with vitamin E, an essential nutrient for
the skin. Therefore, when applied on the skin, it is said to reduce fine lines
and wrinkles, and acts as a sunscreen. Traditionally, in India, babies are
often massaged with mustard oil. However, recent studies have stated that
mustard oil massage should be done with limited quantities. Too much of it
could prove to be harmful and cause irritation.
6. Relief from Cough and Cold
Mustard oil has been an age-old ingredient for the treatment of
cough and cold. This is because of its heating property that helps in clearing
congestion from the respiratory tract. Mustard oil steam treatment is often
recommended as a home remedy, and you can also rub about a teaspoon of it on
your chest before sleeping to let it work its magic. It is perhaps the very
pungency that helps in clearing sinuses, much like wasabi. Another home remedy
is to make a mixture of about one tablespoon warm mustard oil and two to three
cloves of garlic and rub it on your feet.
Pitambari Raishakti Mustard Oil is extracted with best quality seeds,
espelled by cold process to preserve its natural properties, anti-oxidants
& essential oils, and is highly nutritive, rich in flavor & delicious
in taste. It is available in 200 ml, 500 ml, 1 litre, 5 litre & 15 litre
sizes, and can also be bought online at http://pitambari.com/shop/
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