Oriental mustard seeds
(Brassica juncea)
Characteristics:
Oriental mustard, just like yellow and brown mustard also belongs to the Cruciferae family. It has straight, bush-like branches and can grow from 30 cm to 1,5 m tall. Its bottom leaves are pinnate whereas the top ones are not divided. The flowers form small, 5 cm long stalks that contain rounded light-brown seeds.
Properties:
Oriental mustard seeds can contain up to 50 % of high quality fat that is used for producing cooking oil. They also have therapeutic qualities. When treated with water and heat, a substance called sinigrin extracts essential oil that is used in plasters and poultices. Unfortunately, this treatment has a downside - it causes redness of skin.
Brown mustard seeds are also beneficial for the digestive system and they can be used to treat hypertension or as an antipyretic agent.
![Gorczyca biała Gorczyca Biała](media/grafika/gorczyca/Ikony/gorczyca_biala.png)
Yellow
Mustard Seeds
Yellow mustard is used as a spice. The hot, burning taste of mustard comes from the essential oils inside the seeds.
![Gorczyca czarna Gorczyca Czarna](media/grafika/gorczyca/Ikony/gorczyca_czarna.png)
Brown
Mustard Seeds
Brown mustard seeds are used as condiment, but also in medicine. Their colour ranges from dark brown to black.
![Gorczyca sarepska Gorczyca Sarepska](media/grafika/gorczyca/Ikony/gorczyca_sarepska2.png)
Oriental
Mustard Seeds
Oriental mustard contains tannins that demonstrate activity against microorganisms (bacteriae and viruses).