WARNING
- Seeds contain substances extremely irritant to skin
and mucous membranes.
Culinary (eaten)
- Seeds are sprouted for "mustard & cress"
salads. Dried seeds are used in pickling spice or ground and prepared as
'mustard'. Pungency of mustard developes when cold water is added to the
ground seed; an enzyme (myrosin) acts on a glycoside (sinigrin) to produce
the sulfur compound, allyl isothiocyanate. The reaction takes 10-15 minutes.
Mixing with hot water or vinegar, or adding salt, inhibits the enzyme,
producing a mild bitter mustard.
Infusion (like a tea)
- Pour near-boiling water over the seeds and let steep
5-10 minutes. Standard quantities are 75g fresh or 30g dried herb to 500ml
water. The Infusion must be taken same day. It may be sweetened, but do
not add milk.
Poultice
- A Poultice consists of a pulp or paste made by heating
chopped fresh, dried, or powdered herbs with a lttle water. Spread the
paste between two layers of gauze and apply (as hot as possible) externally
to the affected area. Replace as necessary.
Oil
- Medicated Oils are oils infused with the herb. Used
for healing, oils are also used for skin and hair conditioning. Four methods
are available to make Medicated Oils. 1) heat 250g dried or 750g fresh
herb in 500ml of oil in a bowl over boiling water for 2-3 hours. 2) fill
a jar with fresh herbs, top it up with oil, cover and leave for 2-3 weeks.
Renew the herb for another 2-3 weeks to increase the concentration (best
for flowers). 3) add 25-50 drops of the "essential oils of the herb"
into 100ml of Oil for immediate use. 4) essential oils are obtained by
evaporation of the herb in a stoppered glass container left in the sun
for several days.
Wash
- The herb can be used as a Wash by diluting an unsweetened
Infusion or Decoction, or adding a Tincture to a large quantity of water.
Use Wash by applying externally to the affected area.
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