Mustard (Brassica, मोहरी, सरसों)

by Dr. Hema D. Sane

पीली  पीली सरसो फुले !

It is a common picture of North Indian planes, where सरसो  is  a major oil seed crop.

When in full bloom, the fields सरसो are not less the attractive than daffodils of the English poet Wordsworth, To this beauty is added the pungent odour brought by the breezes.

Mustard seeds are one of the ingredients in the list of मसाला items. By the sequence they are the first one to be added to the hot oil while preparing famous तडका i.e. फोडणी. There is a reason, why these seeds should sacrifice themselves. When added to the heating oil the seeds burst and crack when the oil reaches the requisite temperature. Crackling noise is तडतडणे. At this temperature only other ingredients viz. Turmeric powder and asafoetida are to be added, so that their active principles enter the oil.

Mustard oil is the chief edible oil in North Indian states of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. सरसो का साग और मक्के की रोटी are the most esteemed recipes of this region.

Mustard seeds are known from Vaidic period, अर्थवेद mentions mustard by the name सर्षप and पिंग. These seeds were familiar to Roman and Greeks. The holy Bible also refers to mustard seeds अर्थवेद prescribes mustard seeds as the ailment of eye trouble. But is more referred in ‘black magic’ मीठ मोहरीने दृष्ट काढणे is common practice in rural area when salt along with mustard seeds is thrown over the fire, there is fowl smell. But the fact is that is abnoxious odour is because of sulphur present in the mustard seeds. There is nothing such as black magic.

The cauliflower, cabbage and mustard not only belong to same family but also to the same genus. i.e. Brassica. Even raddish is also member of the same family and all of them are rich in sulphur that is why have pungent smell and taste.

Mustard seeds contain a compound called sinigrin. i.e. potassium myranate. Besides there is volatile oil about rich in sulphur 47%. The oil exerts warming effect hence applied to paining joints, also the paste of seeds is applied on the chest in cases of chronic pneumonia. Caution! both these application are to be performed very carefully. The oil may cause blistering of skin!

The seeds are used in powered form in malong pickles. They are the best preservatives and also exert antimicrobial effect.

The seeds all in two groups

Black mustard – Brassica nigra

Red mustard – Brassica juncea