Mustard Oil

Mustard oil (Sarshapa Taila) is pungent and bitter in taste, hot in potency, sharp, and penetrating. It is effective against Kapha and Vata disorders, destroys worms (Krimi), is useful in skin diseases (Kushtha), and relieves itching (Kandu). It stimulates the digestive fire. However, it can aggravate Pitta and may cause Raktapitta (bleeding disorders) in susceptible individuals. It is commonly used in cooking in certain regions and externally for massage. It is lighter than sesame oil and more heating. The text notes it is particularly useful in ear diseases and as ear drops. Verses: 13-14.

• Kapha-Vata-shamaka (pacifies Kapha and Vata)
• Krimighna (anthelmintic)
• Kusthahara (anti-dermatosis)
• Kandughna (anti-pruritic)
• Deepana (appetizing)
• Raktapitta-kara (may aggravate bleeding disorders)

Sarshapa Taila – (mustard oil benefits) : कटू णं साषपं ती णं कफशु ा नलापहम ् लघु प ता कृत ् कोठकु ठाश णज तुिजत ् ५९ Sarsapa Taila – (mustard oil) is pungent, hot in potency, penetrating deep, mitigates (reduces) Kapha, semen and Anila (Vata), easy to digest, causes bleeding diseases, rashes on the skin, skin diseases, haemorrhoids, ulcers, and worms (bacteria etc).

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Drava Vigyaniya Drinkables

Honey along with seeds of Pushkara, Honey, along with wine of dates (Maireya) and sugar Milk drinks along with Mantha (solution of corn flour) Turmeric with mustard oil is incompatible.

— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Anna Raksha Vidhi

Lists 32 medicinal ingredients including aragvadha, haridra, nimba mixed with ox-bile and mustard oil for treating difficult skin diseases, leucoderma, alopecia, ringworm, fistula, piles, and papular eruptions.

— Charaka Samhita, Sutra Sthana — Fundamental Principles, Chapter 3: External Applications & Skin Treatments (Aragvadhiya Adhyaya / आरग्वधीय अध्याय)

[152] In case of thick, fat-like mucous discharge which comes out when the rhinitis is ripened (pakva) should be advised snuff with mustard oil, cow’s urine, bharangi, madana, tarkari, drugs of the surasadi group.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)

[221] Hingvadi taila: Mustard oil, hingu, tumburu, sunthi cooked all together is useful for ear ache.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)

[41 ½ - 42] Mustard oil should be cooked by adding kushtha, shreeveshtaka, udichya, sarala, devadaru, kesara, ajagandha and ashwagandha.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 27: Thigh Stiffness Treatment (Urustambha Chikitsa / ऊरुस्तम्भचिकित्सा)

Old ghee, sesame oil and mustard oil are also beneficial.

— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 28: Vata Disorders Treatment (Vatavyadhi Chikitsa / वातव्याधिचिकित्सा)

A paste of Siddharthaka (white mustard), Rajani (turmeric, Curcuma longa), Kushtha (Saussurea lappa), Prapunnata (Cassia tora), and sesame (Tila), mixed with pungent oil (Katu Taila/mustard oil) -- this paste destroys Dadru (ringworm).

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)

Mustard oil's allyl isothiocyanate has proven antifungal properties.

— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)

These combined with mustard oil as anjana — when applied, night-blindness and related conditions are destroyed.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 17: Drishtigata Roga Pratishedha Adhyaya (Chapter on Treatment of Diseases of Vision / Drishti Roga)

Fumigation with brinjal smoke is beneficial, and mustard oil as well.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 21: Chapter 21

For ear dveda, mustard oil is beneficial as ear-filling.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 21: Chapter 21

Then nasya with mustard oil should be administered.

— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Mustard oil is light, pungent in taste, sharp, hot, removes Kapha and fat, and is scraping and digestive-stimulating (verses 115-117).

— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 45: Dravadravya-vidhi Adhyaya - On Liquid Substances