Mustard oil is dark reddish yellow and is edible. It has a very strong aroma and a pungent, bitter flavour. The oil is extracted from the seeds of the mustard plant which is scientifically known as Brassica Juncea. This oil has been used across many civilizations for centuries. However, the most widespread usage of mustard oil has always been in the Indian subcontinent. Mustard oil has a high smoke point, meaning that it burns at a higher temperature. This makes it an excellent choice for sautéing and stir-frying.
Mustard oil has also been used for its therapeutic properties for a very long time. Topical applications such as using mustard oil on the skin and hair are very common and extremely beneficial. Mustard oil use for hair is very helpful as it promotes hair growth, reduces hair fall, and nourishes the roots and the scalp. Usage of mustard oil for hair will leave you with stronger, shinier, softer, and manageable hair.
There are many different kinds of mustard oils available in the market. Below are the three types that you can choose from.
- Kachchi Ghani Mustard Oil – This is the most popular cold-pressed variety of mustard oil. Also known as raw grade mustard oil, this variety retains a lot of flavour, aroma, and nutrients of the mustard seed.
- Agmark Mustard Oil – This is the mustard oil that comes with a certification of ‘Agmark’. This certification confirms that the mustard seeds used for oil extraction were all organically grown. Such a product is always of a higher quality.
- Grade 1 Mustard Oil – This variety is made by mixing the two different kinds of mustard oil which are obtained by grinding or cold pressing the brown mustard seeds and yellow mustard seeds separately. This variety has a nutty flavour.
Benefits of Mustard Oil for Hair
Is mustard oil good for hair? If you are facing hair issues, then mustard oil is the best and wholesome solution. Mustard oil has a very unique balance of omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids. It is also rich in antioxidants and vitamin E. These properties of mustard extend its benefits to not just the hair but also the skin and teeth. Mustard oil is also useful in easing cold, relaxing muscle tension, and removing tan or dark spots. Here we look at some of the mustard oil benefits for hair.
Mustard oil is rich in alpha fatty acids. These fatty acids help in keeping the moisture of the hair locked in, thus keeping the hair hydrated. Thus, you can use mustard oil for hair as a natural conditioner, that will make your hair smooth, silky, soft, and volumized. Since hydrated hair grows faster, mustard oil can also boost growth due to its conditioning action.
Hair fall and hair thinning is a common issue with many people nowadays. These problems happen because the hair follicles are not nourished enough. Other reasons for this could be environmental pollution or stress. Massaging your hair and scalp with mustard oil frequently keeps the hair nourished and makes it strong. Using mustard oil for hair fall will also restore the shine of your hair.
Mustard oil is a very rich source of iron, magnesium, zinc, selenium, and calcium. It is rich in vitamins such as vitamin A, D, E, and K. Along with this mustard oil is also rich in antioxidants. These properties encourage hair growth and also help in reducing premature greying. Thus, you can use mustard oil for grey hair prevention.
If the roots of your hair are undernourished, it can lead to hair thinning which may further transform into hair breakage and hair fall. When you massage your hair with mustard oil, the circulatory system is stimulated, which improves the blood circulation to the scalp. This helps in improving the supply of oxygen, nutrients to the scalp and the hair follicle which turns dull and lifeless hair into shiny and voluminous locks. The best way to apply sarso ka tel for hair is to heat the oil a little before using it. If you want you can add a few cloves to the warm oil. Massage your scalp and apply the oil to the hair. For best results, massage your hair and scalp with mustard oil twice a week.
There are many aspects to the nutritional benefits of mustard that make sarso oil for hair one of the best remedies to promote hair growth. Mustard oil is a rich source of omega 3 fatty acids, which boosts hair growth. Also, due to its anti-inflammatory property, it prevents flaking and dandruff on the scalp, promoting a reduction in hair fall. The antioxidants and other nutrients in mustard oil stimulate faster growth of hair. Thus, you can use mustard oil for hair growth faster than other natural alternatives.
There is a high content of erucic acid and Alpha Linolenic acid (ALA) in mustard oil. This helps in cleaning your scalp by naturally acting against the fungus and bacteria that cause flaking and dandruff. These fungi sometimes also block the hair follicles making the hair thinner and ultimately resulting in hair fall. Mustard oil is thus also effective in promoting a reduction in hair fall due to its antifungal nature which also makes it an excellent remedy for getting rid of dandruff.
How to Use Mustard Oil for Hair Growth
You must know the right way to use mustard oil. Here we look at the three main ways to use mustard oil directly. Later we will look at some easy DIY hair packs that use mustard oil.
Take a small amount of mustard oil in your palms and massage the scalp for about five to ten minutes. You can do this before shampooing and keep the oil applied for about ten minutes before going for a hair wash. If you repeat this process before every hair wash, your hair will become longer and you will notice that the amount of time that your daily hair care takes is slowly reducing.
Heat the mustard oil a little and massage the scalp thoroughly with this warm oil. Make sure that the hair is also oiled well along with the scalp. Once done, wrap a towel that is soaked in warm water around your hair. Leave this hot towel on for about half an hour. The warmth will open up the cuticles and let the moisture and nutrients of the mustard oil penetrate the hair. You can repeat moderate oiling three times a week for best results and quicker hair growth.
Warm the mustard oil a little and massage the scalp and hair thoroughly. Cover your head with a shower cap or a towel to prevent the pillow from staining. Keep the oil applied overnight. Shampoo normally the following morning. With repeated practice of overnight oiling, your hair will become strong and you will observe faster hair growth.
Now we look at some easy-to-make hair masks that pack the goodness of mustard oil for hair along with other herbal ingredients that provide wholesome nourishment to your hair. All the ingredients for these packs will be easily available in your kitchen.
Benefits – This pack will give your hair shine and make it soft.
- Mix mustard oil and yogurt in a bowl.
- Apply this mixture to your scalp.
- Soak a towel in hot water. Wring the towel and wrap it around your hair.
- Leave the mixture on for about 30 – 40 minutes along with the hot towel.
- Wash off with a mild shampoo. Follow shampooing with conditioner.
- For best results repeat this at least twice a week for a month.
Benefits – This pack will nourish your hair and prevent damage.
- Mix mustard oil and aloe vera in a bowl.
- Apply this mixture to your hair and scalp.
- Leave the mixture on for about 30 – 40 minutes.
- Wash off with a mild shampoo. Follow shampooing with conditioner.
- Repeat this twice a week for a month.
Benefits – This pack will keep dandruff at bay, moisturize and strengthen the hair. Especially suggested for those with a sensitive scalp. After the mask, your hair will get instant softness and bounce.
- Mix mustard oil, lemon juice, and fenugreek powder in equal quantities in a bowl.
- Apply this mixture to your hair.
- Leave the mixture on for about 30 minutes.
- Wash off with a mild shampoo. Follow shampooing with conditioner.
- For best results repeat this twice a week.
Benefits – This pack will moisturize your hair and give it shine and bounce.
- Mix mustard oil and a ripe banana in a bowl.
- Add some yogurt for consistency.
- Apply this mixture to your hair.
- Leave the mixture on for about 30 minutes along with the hot towel.
- Wash off with a mild shampoo. Follow shampooing with conditioner.
- Do not use a hairdryer after the process. Let your hair dry naturally.
- For best results repeat this twice a week
Tips for Using Mustard Oil for Hair Growth
Till now we have seen the benefits of mustard oil and how you can use it to boost the overall health of your hair. Here we will look at a few important tips that will help you in using mustard oil for hair in the best manner and with caution.
Before using mustard oil, you must always do a patch test. Simply apply a drop on the skin and look carefully for any reactions such as rashes, redness, itching, or swelling for up to the next 24 hours. If you observe any such allergic reactions, do not go for the usage of mustard oil for hair as your skin is sensitive to the oil.
For best results, it is suggested that you warm the mustard oil a little before using it.
After you have applied mustard oil to your hair and scalp, wash the hair thoroughly and completely. Be sure to remove the oil completely as it can clog the pores causing greasiness and infections. A good way to find out if all oil has been removed from the hair is by making sure that the pungent and peculiar smell of the mustard oil is gone.
Do not use mustard oil for hair daily. Using the oil two to three times a week is good enough to provide you the benefits.
Always use pure mustard oil for hair. The best mustard oil for hair is one that is cold-pressed and not adulterated with any other ingredient whether herbal or chemical.
Do not use mustard oil on babies and infants. The compounds present in mustard oil can irritate the sensitive skin of small children.
Side Effects of Mustard Oil
Application of mustard oil rarely leads to any side effects. In some cases, it may cause some side effects such as mild irritation to the skin due to the presence of compounds such as erucic acid. Listed below are some of the side effects of using mustard oil for hair.
For some people, mustard oil can cause mild irritation of the skin and scalp.
For some people, using mustard oil on the skin may cause irritation resulting from purple rashes and, in some cases, white blisters. This kind of rash is known as lichem planus.
Using more mustard oil on your hair and skin, especially near the eye area may cause eye irritation and stinging sensation.
If left on the skin, mustard oil can clog pores just like any other oil. Hence after applying, it must be completely washed off from the scalp.
If you experience any of the side effects, you must discontinue using mustard oil. It is always suggested that you do a patch test to ascertain if your skin has any kind of allergic response to the mustard oil. This will save you from suffering the side effects later. We have also discussed some other tips in the section before which will have you carefully using mustard oil for hair.
Mustard oil for hair can be used standalone by simply massaging, or in the form of hair packs. Mustard oil is packed with wholesome benefits for the hair and the scalp. Benefits of applying mustard oil on hair range from providing nutrition to the hair follicle to cleaning the scalp and promoting hair growth. We suggest that you incorporate mustard oil in your hair care routine. Start massaging with mustard oil and try some of the hair packs discussed above. Your hair will surely get a new life after using mustard oil for hair.