BLACK MUSTARD BRASSICA NIGRA

BLACK MUSTARD (Brassica nigra (L.) W. D. J. Koch) ++

Synonym:
- Brassica nigra var. abyssinica A. Braun, Sinapis nigra L.
Many writers do not distinguish between black, brown (Indian), and white mustard (B. nigra, B. juncea, and Sinapis alba, respectively), but the spice and medicine trade seems to favor the white. And the canola and rapeseed varieties have been hopelessly manipulated, even in the GMO field. Few if any taxonomists and agronomists can distinguish all Brassica varieties and species, and probably fewer chemists, herbalists, pharmacists, and physicians can be sure of the variety or species. My entries can be no more reliable than their sources. Seems as though the group might better be treated generically than specifically or varietally.

Activities (Black Mustard):
- Abortifacient (f; CEB; DAW); Analgesic (f; DAW); Antidote, narcotics (f; CEB; FEL); Antifertility (f; WOI); Aperitif (f; DAW); Carminative (f; DAW); Diuretic (f; DAW; FEL; HHB); Emetic (f; DAW); Gastrotonic (f; CEB); Laxative (f; DAW); Pancreatonic (f CEB); Rubefacient (f; DAW); Stimulant (f; DAW; WOI); Stomachic (f; DAW; HHB; WOI); Vesicant (f; DAW).

Indications (Black Mustard):
- Abscess (f; DAW); Adenopathy (f; JLH); Ague (f; DEM); Alopecia (f; DAW); Ameba (f; DAW); Amenorrhea (f; FEL); Angina (f; FEL; HHB); Anorexia (f; DAW; DEM); Apoplexy (f; FEL); Asthma (f; DEM); Bite (f; CEB); Bloat (f; DAW); Boil (f; DAW); Bronchosis (f; HHB; PH2); Cancer (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, colon (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, liver (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, neck (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, sinew (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, skin (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, spleen (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, throat (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, uterus (1; FNF; JLH); Cancer, wrist (1; FNF; JLH); Cardiopathy (f; HHB; PH2); Cholera (f; FEL);
Circulosis (f; PH2); Cold (f; DAW; DEM); Congestion (f; DAW; FEL); Constipation (f; DAW; FEL); Cough (f; DAW); Cramp (f; DAW); CVI (f; PH2); Dermatosis (f; DAW); Dysentery (f; DAW); Dysmenorrhea (f; FEL); Dyspepsia (f; CEB; FEL); Ectoparasite (f; DAW); Edema (f; DAW); Enterosis (f; FEL; PH2); Epilepsy (f; DAW); Fever (f; DAW; DEM; FEL; HHB); Fibroid (f; JLH); Fibroma (f; JLH); Gas (f; DAW); Gastrosis (f; FEL; PH2); Glaucoma (f; PH2); Headache (f; DAW; FEL; PH2); Head Cold (f; DEM); Heartburn (f; HHB); Hepatosis (f; JLH); Hiccup (f; DAW); Induration (f; JLH); Inflammation (f; DAW; FEL); Itch (f; DAW); Lumbago (f; PH2); Lymphoma (f; JLH); Meningosis (f; FEL); Nervousness (f; DEM); Neuralgia (f; DAW; WOI); Ophthalmia (f; DAW); Otosis (f; DAW); Pain (f; DAW; DEM; FEL; HHB); Pharyngosis (f; DAW); Phthisis (f; DEM); Pleurisy (f; DAW; FEL; PH2; WOI); Polyp (f; JLH); Pneumonia (f; DAW; PH2; WOI); Pulmonosis (f; FEL); Respirosis (f; PH2); Rheumatism (f; DAW; PH2; WOI); Rhinosis (f; DAW); Sciatica (f; PH2); Sclerosis (f; JLH); Sinusosis (f; PH2); Snakebite (f; DAW); Splenosis (f; DAW); Spine (f; FEL); Stomachache (f; DAW); Sore Throat (f; DAW); Toothache (f; CEB; DAW; DEM); Tuberculosis (f; DEM); Typhus (f; FEL); Uterosis (f; JLH); Water Retention (f; DAW; FEL; HHB); Worm (f; DAW).

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Black Mustard):
- Class 1 (internal; ingestion of too much can be irritating); Class 2b (external; duration not to exceed 2 weeks; not for children under 6 years. Severe burns may occur with long-term topical use) (AHP). Contraindications: children younger than 6 years; renal disease (mustard oil is absorbed through the
skin). Even external poultice should be limited to 5 - 10 minutes pediatrically, 10 - 15 minutes for adults, less for sensitive patients (KOM). 15 - 30 minutes plaster can cause severe burns (AHP). Millspaugh has said, unground seeds ... proved dangerous, as they are liable to become impacted in the bowel and set up a fatal inflammation (CEB). Adverse effects: skin and nervous damage (prolonged use). Should not be used for more than 2 weeks (AEH). Avoid taking with ammonia-containing products because ammonia with mustard oil yields inactive thiosinamine (PH2). Contraindicated in GI ulcers and nephrosis (PHR). Overdoses internally cause GI distress (PHR). Hyperthyroidism with goiter traced to the use of the isothiocyanates in mustard (APA). Delaneyite nitpickologists will doubtless clamber to put the same goitrogenic warning on all members of the mustard family as well as papaya, caper, and nasturtium.