Mustard

• Rubbing out back and joint pain Herbalists call mustard a rubefacient, which means that it stimulates soothing warmth when applied to the skin. Like cayenne pepper, it also appears to deplete nerve cells of substance P. a chemical that transmits pain signals from the back to the brain. In fact, mustard oil is the main ingredient in at least one proprietary arthritis liniment. To you mustard for pain, either mix up a mustard plaster or soak a cloth in a strong mustard infusion made by pouring a cup of boiling water onto 1 teaspoon of ground mustard seed and infusing for 5 minutes. Apply this compress to the sore area. One arthritis sufferer suggested massaging a mixture of warm mustard oil and camphor into aching joints – but mustard oil is simply too strong to use on the skin, so we don’t recommended this approach.
• Easing headache, fever and congestion Soaking your feet in hot water with a little mustard powder added can accomplish a number of goals. It can unblock a head cold, help to reduce a fever and soothe a headache. Drawing blood to the feet helps to disperse congestion, increases circulation and eases pressure on the blood vessels in your head.

There are several varieties of mustard including black, brown and white (also called yellow). White mustard seeds aren’t quite as hot as other varieties. If you take mustard seeds by mouth, beware: they have a laxative effect if you eat enough of them. Mustard powder is also used to induce vomiting, eating more than a teaspoon is likely to have this effect.