The efficacy and function of white mustard

White mustard seed is a kind of traditional Chinese medicine and is very helpful for many diseases. Below we will briefly introduce white mustard seeds.

[Other name] Spicy cabbage seeds (Chinese Materia Medica)

[Source] It is the seeds of the cruciferous plant white mustard . When the fruits are ripe in late summer or early autumn, cut the whole plant, dry it in the sun, remove the seeds and remove impurities.

【Original morphology】 The plant morphology is detailed in the "white mustard" article.

[Habitat distribution] Mainly produced in Anhui, Henan, Shandong, Sichuan, Hebei, Shaanxi, Shanxi and other places. The largest production comes from Anhui and Henan.

[Properties] The seeds are spherical, with a diameter of 1.1 to 2.5 mm, larger than yellow mustard seeds. The surface is off-white to light yellow and smooth. When observed under a magnifying glass, fine reticular patterns and a dark dot-like hilum can be seen. The seed coat is thin and brittle and easily crushed. After peeling it off, there is a thin film of endosperm adhered to the inner surface of the seed coat. The embryo is yellowish white and sleeve-like. The two cotyledons overlap and are folded at the midrib to form a saddle shape. The radicle is also folded and hidden in between. There is no smell, the taste is oily at first, then slightly sour, and then spicy. The best ones are large, full, white and pure.

【Chemical composition】 White mustard contains sinapinic acid, mustard alkaloids, myrosinase, fat, protein and mucus. Sinapin is hydrolyzed by mustardase to produce p-hydroxybenzyl isothiocyanate (white mustard oil), acidic mustard sulfate and glucose. Sinapine sulfate can generate sinapic acid and choline by alkaline hydrolysis.

[Preparation] Stir-fried white mustard seeds: sift out all impurities from the original medicine, and fry until it turns dark yellow and has a slight aroma.

【Nature and flavor】 Spicy, warm.

[entry into meridians] Enters the lung and stomach meridians.

【Functions and indications】It can promote qi and resolve phlegm, warm the middle and dispel cold, dredge meridians and relieve pain. It is used to treat cough and asthma due to phlegm and fluid, fullness and pain in the chest and flanks, nausea and vomiting, aphasia caused by stroke, pain and numbness of limbs, athlete's foot, genital ulcer, swelling and pain, and swelling and pain caused by falls.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decocted in water, 1 to 3 qian; or made into pills or powder. For external use: grind into powder and apply on skin.

[Note] People with lung deficiency, cough, yin deficiency and hyperactivity of fire should not take this medicine.

[Additional prescription] ① Treating cough in the elderly, qi stagnation and phlegm: Perilla seed, white mustard seed, and radish seed. Wash the above three ingredients, stir-fry slightly, and crush them. Depending on which symptom is more common, the one that is responsible for that symptom should be the main ingredient, and the others should be secondary. Each dose should be no more than three grams, put it in a small raw silk bag, and boil it into soup to drink. (Sanzi Yangqin Decoction from Han's Medical Encyclopedia)

【Clinical application】 ①Treatment of chronic tracheitis

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From "Tang Materia Medica".

Through the introduction of this article, we can learn some relevant knowledge about white mustard seeds. Whether from the perspective of food health or traditional Chinese medicine, the role of white mustard cannot be underestimated.