Benefits of Mustard Oil for Hair and How to Use It

What is Mustard oil?

Pressed mustard oil is used for cooking and a pungent essential form of it, commonly termed as ‘volatile oil of mustard’, is made by grinding the seeds, mixing with water and extraction of the residue using distillation. Pressed mustard oil has a higher level of erucic acid, so it is restricted in a few countries.

Mustard oil is a crucial element of cooking and it is found in almost every kitchen out there. It has a strong flavour which helps enhance the taste of the dish. Additionally, it has a lot of health benefits, too, like it is helpful for people with diabetes, it can be used in salads, for massaging, for the scalp to increase hair growth and reduce hair fall, etc. Mustard oil is very healthy because of its ratio of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, both of which are important for our body. However, if you use too much of pure mustard oil, it can lead to a boost in cholesterol accompanied with a risk of heart issues. So, people tend to stick to olive and sunflower oil for cooking. Additionally, mustard oil may not be the best option for people with skin problems like eczema because it can cause irritation to the scalp. Because it has a lot of naturally occurring, strong chemical components, it can also cause irritation to the eyes.

This article deals with the benefits of mustard oil for hair and how to use it.

Benefits of Mustard oil for hair:

Knowing about the benefits of mustard oil can help understand the appropriate quantity of using it. So, here are a few benefits of mustard oil for hair:-

1) As a natural conditioner – Mustard oil is enriched with alpha fatty acids. This helps maintain hair’s moisture and keep it fresh and bouncy. It is a natural conditioner which helps make your hair smooth, soft, silky and supple.

2) It nourishes your hair – When our hair follicles are not nourished completely or partially damaged, people suffer hair loss. But, massaging your hair regularly with mustard oil helps strengthen your hair and give it a natural shine.

3) Mustard Oil’s Vitamins, Minerals and Antioxidants - Mustard oil has a lot of antioxidants, iron, magnesium, calcium and vitamins A, D, E and K; this pungent, pure mustard oil also has zinc beta-carotene and selenium which boosts hair growth and helps maintain grey hair.

4) Blood circulation is boosted – A common cause for thinning of hair is lack of nourishment of roots. Use mustard oil for hair to regain life because it is a natural stimulant which stimulates the circulatory system which leads to improved blood circulation.

5) Encourages hair growth – Regularly massaging hair using pure mustard oil makes your hair soft and healthy. It stimulates faster growth of hair.

6) Helps in dandruff prevention – Mustard oil has antioxidants which are beneficial for preventing growth of dandruff.

7) Pure Mustard oil’s anti-fungal properties – Mustard oil has a lot of uric acid content and ALA content; this helps cleans your scalp, remove bacteria and fungi and encourage the growth of hair follicles.

Now that we’ve covered a few uses of mustard oil for hair, we will now move to discussing how to use it.

How to use Mustard Oil for hair:

Mustard oil may not be best for all types of skin, but it can surely be used for all hair types. If you want to be sure, conduct a patch test and apply the oil over a patch of skin before you apply it elsewhere. People with sensitive skin or skin issues should be even more cautious with mustard oil. Here are some common ways of using mustard oil for its various benefits –

1) Quick oiling – Take a teaspoon of mustard oil and before you shower using shampoo, let it rest in your scalp for a mere five minutes.

2) A mustard oil and yogurt hair pack/mask – Mix yogurt with mustard oil and apply this to your scalp. Wrap your hair in a hot towel for 30-40 minutes and wash with a mild, soft shampoo. This will help soak the scalp and give you shiny and soft hair.

3) A mustard oil and Aloe Vera pack/mask – Mix mustard oil with aloe vera and apply this to your scalp and hair. Leave it for an hour and wash with shampoo and conditioner; this will help prevent loss of hair.

4) A mustard Oil and banana pack/ mask – Mix pure mustard oil and ripe bananas; add yogurt to dilute the consistency. Apply it on your scalp and leave it for sometime to prevent dry hair.

5) A mustard oil and lemon juice pack/ mask – Mix lemon juice, mustard oil and fenugreek powder and apply it to your hair. Wash after an hour for soft and bouncy hair.

6) Create a tincture with ground mustard seed powder – While we aren’t using pure mustard oil, it is suggested that this method is even better than the oil form. Combine 1/4th teaspoon with two ounces of water, but be cautious because this can cause some irritation.

7) Use a shower cap – To boost the effects of the oil, apply some oil on your scalp and let it sit under a shower cap for about 30 minutes. The shower cap will help trap the heat which will allow the oil to penetrate better. If you vouch for this method, combine mustard oil with another one like coconut oil, especially if you have extremely dry hair. This will minimize irritation and provide you with the additional benefits of the second oil.

Conclusion:

Pure mustard oil is an oil made by pressing the plant’s seeds. It contains higher levels of erucic acid, so it is often used as a flavouring agent. You can use mustard oil for cooking, hair growth control and hair fall reduction, to reduce the growth of cancer cells, to reduce inflammation and pain and to block microbial growth. It can also be applied as a massage oil, face mask and hair serum. It helps improve immunity, gum health and reduce dandruff. It can also be used for treatment of skin problems like eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and folliculitis. But, if you have a hair-thinning issue or a symptom of an underlying health issue, mustard oil may not be the best option. While mustard oil has a lot of benefits, because it has naturally occurring compounds like erucic acid, capsaicin and a sulphur called allyl thiocyanate, it can be mildly irritating for some people and a bit harmful because it may cause lichen planus (a skin rash), skin and eye irritation and clogged pores.