My mother never kept mayonnaise in the house growing up; we were without a doubt a mustard family. Food that had zero nutrients — unless you count sugary snacks my dad craved — were never even mentioned to us. Dijon mustard, black mustard, honey mustard, yellow mustard and various mustard based salad dressings lined neatly in the door of our refrigerator. Eventually, I would go off to college on my own and try cigarettes, alcohol and mayonnaise. My mother was the most horrified about the mayo. The lack of nutritional value was, in her eyes, too big a risk to make the small little pleasure I got from spreading it on my sandwiches worth it. She demanded to know what sort of hooligans I was hanging out with.
My mayo phase lasted only a few months because I discovered Vegannaise, and I still remain a mustard girl at heart. After trying an incredible detox foot bath with mustard seed and fresh ginger, I discovered mustard seed took healing very seriously in other ways as well. Both the vegetable and essential oil are healthier alternatives for cooking, and of course, beauty maintenance. Because of its nutty flavor, it's a great substitute for my nut-allergy pals out there, should a recipe call for almond or peanut oil.
Packed with omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, mustard seed has anti-fungal, antioxidant, and antibacterial properties — which is just what our bodies crave all year round. It's known to stimulate blood circulation and sweat glands, and whose not tryin' to sweat less in this summer heat? Mustard seed is a powerful stimulant, which means it's basically going to wake up dull skin and promote healthy hair growth.
Here are just a few ways you can live the mustard life:
Mustard Seed Deodorant
Whenever I visit my parents, I make sure to forget at least one crucial item. Deodorant is my favorite item to leave behind, because it's one of the grosser cosmetic products to share and I simply cannot go without it. Odor isn't my problem, it's more the sweat life that's got me cursing my own name when I get to the bottom of my toiletries and realize I've forgot a basic item that I use daily. Fortunately, I found a great natural deodorant recipe — it's great for anyone concerned about the antiperspirants in deodorant, with research supporting links to breast cancer. This is also my new go-to for when I remember all of my fave oils and butters, yet forgot my deodorant.
- 6 tablespoons of coconut oil
- 1/4 cup of baking soda
- 1/4 cup of raw shea butter
- 1 tablespoon of mustard seed essential oil
Cook your raw shea butter down over medium heat, never reaching a boil. Once the shea butter is liquefied, add your baking soda, stir, and add in coconut and mustard seed oil. Store in the fridge or in a cool place so your new concoction to harden. This recipe is awesome, and I found it way more effective then the rubbing alcohol trick.
Premature Graying
To stop those pesky gray hairs that sporadically show up in the mirror, rub mustard seed essential oil into your scalp daily. This will help reverse the gray hair effect that has you questioning your pending mortality.
Tighten Skin
Mustard seed oil can restore elasticity and reduce signs of aging when applied topically. My favorite way to introduce mustard seed in my beauty regimen is to use it in an oil mask. Take equal parts mustard seed oil, grape seed oil, and tea tree oil and massage into the face and neck. Leave on for a few minutes before rinsing off with warm water. You're skin will feel super smooth, not greasy, because grape seed oil is similar to the oil our skin naturally produces and has some great anti-aging properties. The tea tree oil is a natural anti-inflammatory and cleanses like a boss.
On the real, mustard seed oil can do a lot of great stuff when applied topically. Just like any new product you are introducing to your beauty routine, be sure to do a patch test on the inside of your arm to avoid a nasty reaction on your face.
