Black mustard
Scientific names: Brassica nigra, Sinapis nigra
Family: Brassicaceae/Cruciferae
Alternate names: Black Moutarde, Black Mustard Greens, Black Mustard Oil, Black Mustard Paste, Black Mustard Plaster, Black Mustard Powder, Black Mustard Seed, Graine de Moutarde Noire, Huile de Moutarde Noire, Mostaza Negra, Moutarde, Moutarde Noire, Moutarde Sauvage, Mustard, Pâte de Moutarde Noire, Plâtre de Moutarde Noire, Sénevé, Sénevé Noir, Sarshap
Actions: Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antifungal, Antineoplastic, Antioxidant, Antiparasitic, Antiviral, Calcium channel (TRPA1 and TRPV1), Cardiovascular, c-fos, Detoxification, DNA protective, Food preservation, Gastric, Hepatic, Immunomodulatory, Insecticidal, Lipid, Mosquito repellant, Renal, Vasodilatory
Background
Black mustard (Brassica nigra) is a plant native to Africa, Asia, and Europe. Its seed is used to flavor condiments for food. Its also used as medicine.
Black mustard contains chemicals that might reduce pain but might also be irritating. Black mustard oil might have effects that help with lung congestion.
People use black mustard for the common cold, osteoarthritis, pain, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse black mustard with clown's mustard plant, hedge mustard, or white mustard. These are not the same.
Black mustard contains chemicals that might reduce pain but might also be irritating. Black mustard oil might have effects that help with lung congestion.
People use black mustard for the common cold, osteoarthritis, pain, and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse black mustard with clown's mustard plant, hedge mustard, or white mustard. These are not the same.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Black mustard is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if black mustard is safe to use as medicine. Large amounts might cause side effects such as throat damage, diarrhea, and breathing difficulties.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if black mustard is safe. It might cause side effects such as skin blisters and skin damage, especially when applied for a long time.
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if black mustard is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.
Surgery: Black mustard might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery if taken in large amounts as medicine. Stop using black mustard at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if black mustard is safe. It might cause side effects such as skin blisters and skin damage, especially when applied for a long time.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Black mustard is likely unsafe when taken by mouth in large amounts as medicine while pregnant. Black mustard contains chemicals that might cause a miscarriage. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if black mustard is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.
Surgery: Black mustard might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery if taken in large amounts as medicine. Stop using black mustard at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using black mustard for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
Black mustard is used to flavor food condiments such as mustard. As medicine, there isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of black mustard might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Black mustard might lower blood sugar levels. Taking black mustard along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Black mustard might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 12/09/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 22/09/2020 00:11:51. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
