Prepared from the mustard seed, mustard oil is versatile oil that can be used for both therapeutic uses and culinary applications. As one of the more common types of seed found in the Mediterranean, mustard seeds produce an oil that is both aromatic and soothing to the skin. Mustard oil also lends itself well to infusion with other herbs and spices, making it possible to produce a number of oils that are ideal for cold dressings as well as cooking.

        Mustard oil is considered to be an oil that has low saturated fat as compared to other cooking oils. This pungent tasting oil is mostly used for cooking in parts of Gujarat, Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Orissa, Haryana and some other parts of India. It basically consists of fatty acid, oleic acid, erucic acid and linoleic acid. It has antioxidant and cholesterol reducing properties. It is also loaded with essential vitamins. Though this oil is nutty tasting it is good for heart and also has many other benefits.

        Not only for cooking food but also this oil has importance in North-Indian tradition. It is used for lighting 'diyas' during Diwali. It is also used in the ceremony called 'Mayian'. It is performed one day before the wedding at both bride's and bridegroom's place. Read on to know more about how mustard oil can prove beneficial in daily life.

        Storage of containers of mustard oil is not difficult. As long as the container remains unopened, the mustard oil can be stored in a cabinet at room temperature. Once opened, the container should be kept in the refrigerator. Using this method, it is possible to keep mustard oil fresh and usable for several months.

How Mustard Oil is Healthy
        Mustard oil contains 70% mono unsaturated fatty acids, apart from that it contains a very useful fat called omega 3 fatty acid in abundance which confirms that mustard oil prevents heart disease by decreasing dangerous lipids like LDL and increases level of useful lipid HDL. It contains very less amount of saturated fatty acid which is a responsible factor fo causing hypertension.

Benefits of mustard oil
Here is a list of the benefits which mustard oil offers. Go through and find out how it can benefit you.

• Helps to stay away form coronary heart diseases.
• It can be used as an antibacterial oil.
• Helps to detoxify human body.
• Helps to reduce hair fall through improved blood circulation if it is massaged on scalp.
• Stimulates digestion, circulation and excretory system.
• It can be used as an irritant for stimulating sensation in senseless organs and muscles. Irritants are also useful for driving up muscles.
• Helps preventing fungal growth, thus it can be used as anti-fungal.
• Helps in winter for making body warm and generating mild irritating effect through massage on body.
• Helps making immune system strong.
• Useful for treating cough and cold.
• Protects teeth from germs if rubbed on gums and make gums strong.
• Organic mustard oil helps preventing cancer and is also helpful for slowing down the ageing process.
• Helps stimulating sweat glands and helps lowering body temperature.
• It consist of fatty acids like omega alpha 3 and omega alpha 6 which have beneficial properties (what beneficial properties).

Though mustard oil provides many benefits it is banned in some countries. It is only sold for external use in the countries like United States, Canada and European Union as it is considered to be harmful for consumption in these countries. It is being used in India past so many years and also has a niche in rich Indian culture. But its side effects have not been observed yet in India. It still has and will have a special place in future for cooking purpose in kitchens of North India.