🌙Unani / Islamic Medicine✨Sufi & Islamic Mystical Medicine

Mustard (Khardal)

Sinapis alba

About Mustard (Khardal)

Mustard (Khardal) (Sinapis alba) is a herb used in the Unani / Islamic Medicine and Sufi & Islamic Mystical Medicine traditions to help with Arthritis, Respiratory Issues, Pain, and Digestive Issues, among 3 other conditions it addresses. The aerial parts and leaves are the parts traditionally used, used both internally and topically.

Botanical background

White mustard (Sinapis alba) is an annual plant of the family Brassicaceae. It is sometimes also referred to as Brassica alba or B. hirta. Grown for its seeds, mustard, as fodder crop or as a green manure, it is now widespread worldwide, although it probably originated in the Mediterranean region.

Source: Wikipedia, via iNaturalist

Parts used

Aerial Parts · bothLeaves · both
🍵

Tea / Infusion

1–3 cups daily
  • Steep 1–2 tsp of dried Mustard (Khardal) in freshly boiled water for 5–10 minutes.
  • Cover while steeping.
  • Strain and drink.
💧

Tincture

20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily
  • Pack dried Mustard (Khardal) into a jar and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
  • Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
  • Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.
💊

Powder / Capsule

500 mg – 1 g, 1–3× daily
  • Grind dried Mustard (Khardal) into a fine powder.
  • Fill size 00 capsules or stir into smoothies or honey.
🖐️

Topical / Poultice

1–2× daily as needed
  • Mash fresh Mustard (Khardal) or mix the powder with a little water to form a paste.
  • Apply to the affected area for 20–30 minutes.
🫙

Infused Oil

Massage into affected area 1–2× daily
  • Fill a jar with dried Mustard (Khardal).
  • Pour over a carrier oil until submerged.
  • Leave for 4–6 weeks, then strain.
  • Use topically or as a salve base.
♨️

Steam Inhalation

1–2× daily during acute symptoms
  • Add 2–3 tbsp of Mustard (Khardal) to a bowl of just-boiled water.
  • Drape a towel over your head and inhale steam for 5–10 minutes.
🛁

Herbal Bath

2–3× per week as needed
  • Brew 4–6 tbsp of Mustard (Khardal) in 1 litre of hot water for 15 minutes, strain, and add to a warm bath.
  • Soak for 20–30 minutes.

Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Children

No herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Mustard (Khardal) in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Mustard (Khardal) itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.

Pregnancy

Use Caution

This herb has blood-thinning (antiplatelet/anticoagulant) activity. These are generally used cautiously in pregnancy and are typically discontinued in the weeks before delivery due to bleeding risk — this is a general, mechanism-based caution, not herb-specific research.

Breastfeeding

Likely Safe

Blood-thinning herbs are generally considered lower-risk during breastfeeding than in late pregnancy, though caution is still reasonable, especially at concentrated doses.

Children

Use Caution

Blood-thinning herbs are generally used cautiously in children, particularly around any planned surgery or dental work.

Contraindications

  • Pre-surgery — discontinue at least 2 weeks prior (potential antiplatelet effect)

Warnings

⛔ Heart & Blood Pressure Medications

May interact with antihypertensive drugs, blood thinners, or cardiac medications. Do not combine without medical guidance.

⚠️ Allergic Reactions

Discontinue immediately if you experience rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

⚠️ Not Medical Advice

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal remedies.

Drug & herb interactions

May thin the blood

Watch for: Anticoagulants (warfarin), antiplatelets (aspirin, clopidogrel), and other blood-thinning herbs or supplements (ginkgo, garlic, fish oil, vitamin E)

Combining blood-thinning substances can increase bleeding risk, including before surgery or dental work.

Where to find in nature

Native region

Middle East, Central Asia, Pakistan, North Africa

Climate

Arid to semi-arid

Habitat

Dry hillsides, river valleys, and cultivated gardens of the Middle East and Central Asia

🌿 To see Mustard (Khardal) growing, visit botanical gardens, university plant collections, or specialist herb nurseries near you. If foraging in the wild, always work with an expert identifier — never consume a plant you are not 100% certain of.

Where to buy

In store

  • Unani medicine practitioners and shops
  • South Asian and Middle Eastern grocery stores
  • Health food stores (Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Holland & Barrett, GNC)
  • Naturopathic clinics and integrative medicine practices
  • Specialist herbal apothecaries and herbalist practices

Online

iHerb

Wide selection of standardised extracts, capsules, and powders with lab testing

Mountain Rose Herbs

Premium bulk dried herbs — certified organic, ethically sourced

Starwest Botanicals

Large selection of certified organic bulk herbs and powders

Herb Pharm

High-quality liquid extracts and tinctures, rigorous quality standards

Amazon

Convenient — verify brand certifications and check third-party testing

Etsy

Small-batch artisan herbalists, hand-harvested and wildcrafted herbs

Quality tips

When buying Mustard (Khardal), look for: certified organic labelling, clearly stated country of origin, third-party lab testing for heavy metals and pesticides, and a batch expiry date. Standardised extracts offer consistent dosing; bulk dried herbs are more economical for regular use. Avoid very cheap, unlabelled products — quality varies enormously.