Mustard seeds are the oil-endowed sources of various mustard plants. The leaves serve as greens for cooking meals while the seeds produce edible oil. In Rwanda, mustard seed is normally grown in the northern and eastern provinces by a small number of family growers.
Benefits
The mustard plant, in general, has various edible parts, and mustard seeds in particular are a rich source of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium. They are also a good source of dietary folate and vitamin A as well.
Rene Tabaro, a nutritionist at King Faisal Hospital in Kigali, says mustard greens, or leaves of mustard plants, are possibly an excellent source of minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. In addition to a healthy dose of dietary fibre, might also contain vitamins A, K, and C, as well as folate (B9).
He says mustard seeds contain phenolic components and other valuable nutrients, and they offer a magnitude of health benefits with a unique flavour. They are a rich source of antioxidants such as kaempferol, carotenoids, and other essential plant compounds that may help the body fight damage and disease.
These flavonoids, he says, have been proven to also help reduce the risk of coronary heart diseases. In addition to this, Tabaro notes that mustard seeds have always been valued for their therapeutic effects against cold and sinus problems.
"They are also considered a wonderful decongestant and expectorant, which may help in clearing the mucus in the air passage,” he says.
Emmy Ntamanga, a Kigali-based nutrition consultant, says different home remedies have involved the use of mustard seeds or oil for treating a range of sinus-related ailments because of the heat-generating properties.
For instance, Ntamanga points out, studies show that mustard products contain antioxidants that may protect against infections caused by various kinds of bacteria and fungi.
Moreover, he says, mustard seeds serve as a wonderful beauty aid. Seeds, roasted in sesame or coconut oil, enrich the resultant sieved oil and might make it an effective remedy for acne to promote a clearer complexion.
When mixed with Aloe Vera gel, Ntamanga says, it may also act as a great hydrating agent for the skin.
When it comes to ageing, Tabaro says mustard seed is a rich source of antioxidants that slow down the ageing process.
He says that mustard oil is good for the hair as well. The oil that is extracted from the seeds is rich in vitamin A and omega 3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for hair growth, strength, and overall health.
The leaves of the mustard plant, Tabaro says, have tremendous cholesterol-lowering power.
"Mustard greens might have an amazing ability to bind bile acids in the digestive tract which may facilitate easy excretion of these acids from the body,” he says.