1. Names:

Sanskrit:	Raji, Sarshapa, Kshutabhijanaka		Enlarge photo
English:	Mustard
Botanical:	Brassica alba, B. juncea, B. nigra, Sinapsis alba
Hindi:	Lahi, Taramira
Telugu:	Avalu
Common names:	Raisarisha, Kalirai, Bilesasuve, Ravenele, Sinapa, Asuri
Family name:	Cruciferae

2. Parts used:

• Seeds.

3. Properties and Action According to Indigenous Medical Systems:

• Physical properties: An erect herbaceous annual.
• The white variety (B. alba) is hardy, growing to 80 cm (30 in), with hairy stems and lobed leaves.
• The bright yellow flowers yield hairy fruit pods, 2.5 - 5 cm (1-2 in) long, each containing about six seeds.

4. Uses:

(Medicinal)

• This seeds are used as medicine for scurvy and dropsy.
• The combination of mustard and black pepper used as medicine for paralysis.
• The mustard oil, when applied on body, reduces fat.
• It kills the germs.
• The mixture of mustard seeds and salt,when applied on teeth, cures the dental problems.
• It is rubefacient, irritant, stimulant, diuretic, emetic, pungent, laxative, digestive.

5. Names due to Physical properties:

• Teekshna Gandha:The plant with pungent smell.

6. Names due to Medical properties:

• Krimimardha:This plant kills germs.

7. Reference:

Vasthu guna deepika, Vasthu guna prakashika, Chakradatta, Susrutam, Basabarajeezam, Bhavaprakashika, Vangacena, Charakasamhita, Vagvatamu, Hareetasamhita, Srijanakalpavalli.

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