Brassica nigra Black mustard (Cruciferae)

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Brassica nigra
Black mustard
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The Brassica nigra plant species is found in C. Europe. Occasionally naturalized in S.W. Britain[17]. It is a member of the Cruciferae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Black mustard. Some home gardeners know the variety as Sinapis nigra.

Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

Latin Name:  Brassica nigra
Common Name:  Black mustard
Family:  Cruciferae
Author:  (L.)Koch.

Known Hazards:  When eaten in large quantities, the seed and pods have sometimes proved toxic to grazing animals[85].

Mature Height:  1.2   Mature Width:  0.6

Habitat:  Cliffs near the sea in S. W. England[17].

Medicinal Information: Mustard seed is often used in herbal medicine, especialy as a rubefacient poultice[4]. The seed is ground and made into a paste then applied to the skin[4, 21, 46, 213] in the treatment of rheumatism, as a means of reducing congestion in internal organs[4, 222]. Care must be taken not to overdo it, since poultices can sometimes cause quite severe itrritation to the skin[K]. The seed is also used internally, when it is appetizer, digestive, diuretic, emetic and tonic[4, 21, 46]. Swallowed whole when mixed with molasses, it acts as a laxative[213]. The seed is eaten as a tonic and appetite stimulant[4, 21, 46, 222]. Hot water poured onto bruised mustard seeds makes a stimulating footbath and can also be used as an inhaler where it acts to throw off a cold or dispel a headache[4].

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Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses
Medicinal | Edible Uses

The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'.
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