Sinapis alba L.
Syn.:Brassica hirta Moench
Brassica alba (L.) Rabenh

The seed or its oil is taken both internally or externally, for cancers, growths of the abdomen, spleen, stomach, throat, uterus or wrist indurations.

Medicinally, seeds are considered diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant, irritant, and stimulant, and are used in poultices for acute local pain, pneumonia, bronchitis, and other diseases of the resiratory organs.

The volatile oil is a powerful irritant, rubefacient, and vesicant, used for rheumatic pains and colic. In 1699 John Evelyn's Acetaria says of the seedlings "of incomparable effect to quicken and revive the spirits, strengthening the memory expelling heaviness...besides being an approved antiscorbutic.

As a counterirritant, the seeds ground and mixed with vinegar are recommended for rheumatism, yet used internally for digestive disorders. Mustard seed tea has been prescribed as a gargle for sore throat, and it is said to relieve bronchitis and rheumatism (Grieve, 1931). The plant is thought to have emollient and sedative, even narcotic properties (Watt and Breyer-Brandwijk, 1962).