Mustard oil or “sarson ka tel”, has got a spicy aroma that makes it a wonderful cooking agent in an Indian kitchen. This strong-smelling oil is not just beneficial to prepare regional delicacies but is also effective in boosting immunity, nourishing skin, and treating a cold.
Studies have shown that this oil can also be beneficial for your hair, and scalp. It adds moistness to your hair and prevents irritation and inflammation on the scalp. If you are using this oil or wanting to try it, then read this article.
About Mustard Oil
The mustard plant comes in various types such as brown mustard, white mustard, and black mustard plants. This oil is a commonly used edible oil that has a dark reddish-yellow color. It has a sharp and pungent flavor and strong aroma.
This oil is obtained from the tiny mustard seeds by grinding and purifying seeds via distillation. Mustard oil has a high smoke point. It has a strong nutritional profile for which it is extensively used in several nations that includes India, Greece, Nepal, and Rome for therapeutic and culinary purposes (stir-frying, and sauteing). Topical applications of this oil are beneficial to massage the skin or treat the hair and scalp.
Nutritional Profile of Mustard Oil
The beauty and health benefits of Mustard oil are credited to its powerful nutritional profile. Per 100 grams of this oil provides:
- 59 grams of monounsaturated fat, and
- 12 grams of saturated fat, and
- 21 grams of polyunsaturated fats
- a fatty acid named erucic acid (up to 40%)
This oil has an abundance of amounts of health-boosting vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. It has plenty of essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and iron. It is packed with vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, and vitamin K, which promotes hair growth.
The oil also has a high ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids compared to other types of oils. However, it is not possible to get carbs, proteins, fiber, minerals, and vitamins from mustard oil. A tbsp of mustard oil has 124 calories. Mustard oil also contains a certain compound called allyl isothiocyanate. This contributes to its signature sharp and pungent flavor.
Furthermore, mustard oil also has beta-carotene, selenium, and zinc, which gives you healthy growth of hair. It also has high amounts of healthy fatty acids that makes it beneficial for hair and skincare treatments. Daily massage with the oil helps keep the scalp healthy and rejuvenate tresses.
Reasons For Hair Problems
Keeping hair healthy, shiny, and strong is a challenge for many women. Constant exposure to improper diet, dirt, dust, stress life, poor hygiene, and hair care practices leads to major hair woes. These include split ends, hair fall, and rough hair.
All these issues can halt the natural development of hair that ultimately impacts self-confidence. Mustard oil is the easiest and time-tested solution to treat these conditions. Looking at its impressive nutritional compositions and hair benefits, it has been used to promote hair growth.
Benefits of Mustard Oil for Hair Growth
Almost every Indian household incorporate this oil in their hair care routine to get long, silky, and voluminous tresses in no time. Here, are some of the ways in which mustard oil promotes hair growth:
1. Promotes Hair Growth
Using mustard oil for hair care is a wonderful idea. This oil is traditionally being used to treat hair problems. Mustard oil boosts blood circulation on the scalp. As more blood reaches the hair follicles, they get adequately nourished and strengthened. The oil conditions the roots deeply and reduce dandruff.
To enhance the effectiveness of the oil, you can even combine it with yogurt, egg, coconut oil, black tea, olive oil, etc. Regular use of mustard oil keeps scalp infections at bay. For the best results, you should apply the oil and leave it on overnight.
2. Hydrates Your Hair
If you have dull, coarse, and unmanageable hair, then start using mustard oil. It is a natural conditioner. Mustard oil helps infuse life into your hair strands and make them hydrated, lively, and radiant. Such healthy and hydrated hair tends to grow faster. The oil moistens and conditions your hair strands while providing it adequate nutrients. This makes them thick from the roots level.
Mustard oil is composed of high-quality alpha fatty acids that moisten your hair and make them soft and smooth. It locks moisture in your tresses, thereby making your tresses long and beautiful. Thus, its remarkable hair moisturizing properties of the oil keep your locks healthy.
3. Arrests Hair Fall
There could be several reasons that can lead to hair fall such as stress, pollution, deficiency of nutrients, stress, etc. It weakens our hair follicles and makes it prone to get damaged. A massage with mustard oil nourishes your hair follicles and makes them strong. Massaging improves the circulation of blood in the scalp, this further helps reduce hair loss.
The right way to apply mustard oil is to make it luke-warm and massage it all over your hair and scalp for ten minutes. Leave it in fifteen minutes. Due to the exemplary hair strengthening property of mustard oil, you will notice a gradual reduction in hair fall.
4. Exhibits Anti-Fungal Properties
Hair fungus is a common hair issue that gradually develops and blocks hair follicles. It leads to thinning of hair. Mustard oil is a rich source of ALA content and erucic acid that is powerful in eliminating fungus, molds, and harmful microbes. It is the natural treatment to eliminate the fundamental cause of dry and itchy dandruff flakes. Hence many hair care experts advice using mustard oil for hair problems.
5. Reduces Inflammation
Inflammation is one of the major causes of hair issues. It gives rise to various types of hair and scalp issues, such as dermatitis, psoriasis, folliculitis, and eczema. Mustard oil has plenty of omega 3 fatty acids that help reduce scalp and skin inflammation. On rubbing it on the skin, it can lead to a warming effect and give relief from the pain associated with it.
6. Helps Manage Dandruff
A majority of the attributes of the mustard oil that makes it helpful for body health, makes them beneficial for hair and scalp. Mustard oil has got amazing antifungal and antibacterial properties. It prevents the growth of germs and lowers or prevent scalp infections and conditions that include acne, pimples, dandruff that has resulted due to yeast.
To use mustard oil as an anti-dandruff treatment, use the oil as a fast pre-shampoo treatment. All you need is to take a little amount of oil into the palm. Now apply it over the affected region. Keep it on for about ten minutes. Shampoo your hair and apply conditioner to your hair.
Mustard Oil Hair Packs
It is important to properly nourish the scalp for developing and maintaining good hair density. Mustard oil provides all the necessary nutrients to your scalp that includes omega-3 fatty acids, and protein.
Mustard oil is loaded in natural fats that make it a potent conditioner for your hair. The natural fats form a coating on each hair strand and make hair smoother, and shinier. It promotes uniform distribution of nutrients throughout the scalp, produces more hair follicles, and leads to the healthy growth of hair.
Here are some easy and effective homemade mustard packs that stimulate hair growth and help prevent the following:
- dry hair,
- dry, and flaky scalp,
- frizz,
- hair breakage,
- water damage,
- split ends, and
- heat damage
1. Yogurt and Mustard Oil Pack
Take a bowl. Add yogurt and mustard oil to it. Mix it well. Apply this mixture evenly on your scalp. Now soak a clean towel in hot water. Wring it and wrap it on the scalp. Leave it on for around thirty minutes before you rinse it off using a mild shampoo. Apply this pack two times a week for one month. In a few applications, you will notice radiant and soft hair.
2. Aloe Vera and Mustard Oil Pack
Take a bowl. Add Aloe vera and mustard oil to it. Apply this mixture all over the scalp. Let it stay for half an hour. Rinse your hair using a mild shampoo. Repeat the remedy two times a week for an effective outcome. This mix nourishes the hair and prevents any damage.
3. Lemon Juice and Mustard Oil Pack
Fenugreek nourishes as well as strengthens your hair. It is also effective in treating sensitive scalp conditions. On the other hand, mustard oil and lemon juice eliminates dandruff, and leave them moisturized.
Take a bowl and add mustard oil, fenugreek powder, and lemon juice in it. Mix everything properly to get a thick consistency. Apply this hair mask on the scalp. Let it stay for thirty minutes. Finally, wash them with a mild shampoo.
4. Banana and Mustard Oil Pack
Banana pulp moisturizes the hair and scalp. It is a good pack to treat dull hair. It makes hair bouncy and soft. All you need is to take a bowl and add mashed banana and mustard oil to it. Now add yogurt into it. Mix everything well. Apply the paste on the hair and scalp. Let it stay for thirty minutes. Wash your hair with shampoo and condition your hair.
5. Mustard Oil Hair Mask
Mustard oil is a beneficial scalp treatment that helps improve and safeguard hair root health and promote thicker and stronger hair. The efficacy of the oil enhances manifolds when it is used with other hair growth-promoting oils. This hair-boosting hair mask is a mixture of three masks. Jojoba oil and sweet almond oil are popularly used moisturizing and massage body oils.
- 1 tablespoon mustard oil
- 1 tablespoon jojoba oil
- 1 tablespoon almond oil
All you need is to mix all oils and heat it a little. Dip your fingertips in a small amount of mustard oil. Now gently massage the oil into the scalp. Apply luke-warm oil covering your scalp and hair uniformly. Start from the root level and work up to the ends. Let it stay for thirty minutes on the scalp before you wash it. Rinse off with warm water. Repeat the method once a month.
Side Effects Of Mustard Oil
Mustard oil has got naturally occurring elements such as erucic acid, allyl thiocyanate, and capsaicin, which can cause mild irritation on the skin. It is advised to always perform a patch test before you apply this oil.
It will help prevent any adverse effects. Apply a small drop of this oil under your forearm. Rub it and wait for twenty-four. Watch out for symptoms of an allergic reaction that includes redness, itching, skin rash, and swelling.
Here is a list of problems that a person could experience when applying mustard oil on the skin:
1. Irritation in eyes and skin
Do not apply more than needed amounts of mustard oil on the scalp or hair. There can be chances that natural chemicals present in it can cause stinging feeling in your eyes and ears.
2. Skin Rashes or ‘Lichen planus’
Whether you apply mustard oil on the skin or consume it, there are chances that it can lead to a skin rash i.e., lichen planus. This type of rash leads to white blisters and purple lesions.
3. Blocked pores
Mustard oil is quite dense. It can block pores when applied to the skin. Do not keep it for a lot of time. Wash hair immediately after you apply the oil. Remove the excess oil to avoid greasiness of hair, congestion in scalp pores, and the sharp smell of mustard oil.
4.Not Advised For Children
Mustard oil is strong in smell and taste. This is because of the chemicals present in the oil. Due to this reason, it is not advised for use in small children and infants as they have sensitive skin.
How To Choose Mustard Oil?
There are several varieties of mustard oil available in the market. It can be difficult to choose the best mustard oil out of them. Knowledge of its different types makes the selection easier.
1. Kachhi Ghani
This is the very popular cold-pressed mustard oil. It tastes pure and retains the maximum level of nutrients, and antioxidants in it.
1. Agmark
This oil comes with the Agmark certification that implies that the cultivation of mustard seeds and the preparation of mustard oil is done using organic means. This assures users of the integrity and quality of the product.
3. Grade 1
This type of mustard oil is obtained by grinding yellow and brown mustard seeds respectively. Grade 1 mustard oil has got a pleasant nutty flavor that is a sign of its quality.
4. Mustard essential oil
This type of mustard essential oil is obtained from mustard seeds via the steam distillation procedure. FDA (the Food and Drug Administration) regards it safer than pure mustard oil.
Methods To Use Mustard Oil for Hair Growth
To get the best benefits from mustard oil, you need to learn the right ways to apply mustard oil. Here, are the three most impactful method to use mustard oil for hair growth:
1. Quick Oiling
Take a tsp of mustard oil. Massage it on your scalp and hair for five minutes. Apply shampoo and rinse your hair with water. Do it daily. This remedy will give you long hair and prevents dryness and brittleness of hair.
2. Moderate Oiling
Take a tsp of lukewarm mustard oil. Massage it thoroughly on the scalp. Now take a clean towel and soak it in hot water. Wrap the luke-warm towel around your hair. Let it stay for 20 min. This process will unclog your cuticles so that the oil reaches deep inside the hair roots. Now repeat the procedure three to four days a week to ensure rapid hair growth.
3. Overnight Oiling
Massage luke-warm mustard oil into the hair before you sleep. Now, wear a shower cap to cover the head. It will prevent stains on the pillow. Leave it overnight. Wash your hair the next morning. With regular use, your hair grows quickly, and become naturally thick and strong. As mustard oil is dense, it is better to apply it overnight than keeping it during the day.
Conclusion
There are several factors that cause our scalp to lose nutrition and prevent it from growing in a healthy manner. Mustard oil is a proven and safe treatment for scalp and health. It is an effortless and cost-effective treatment than salon treatments. Regular massage with mustard oil restores your scalp health and revitalize the tresses easily. Use these healthy mustard oil hair packs to regain the lost shine and bid farewell to bad hair days.
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