Mustard
Healing essence of mustard Anti-cancer Mustard is native to the Mediterranean region is derived from several varieties of mustard plant, each of which produces seeds of a different intensity and flavour. It belong to the brassica family that also includes horseradish, wasabi, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, rocket, garden cress and watercress. In addition to being valued internationally as a spice, it has a notable history of use in traditional medicines and has been used to relieve headaches, as an emetic, for colds and flu and to treat arthritis. More recently, interest in the brassicas’ medicinal properties has focused on broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage that have been shown to have tremendous anticancer properties. However, because the members of this plant family contain the same phytonutrients, such protective qualities are likely to be common to all of the brassica species. Medicinal PropertiesCancerBrassicas comprise one of the most important groups of cancer preventing plants, both in terms of their diversity and efficacy.Not only do they help to protect against a variety of malignancies, including cancer of the pancreas, prostate, breast, stomach and colon, but as little as two or three servings per month may be enough for their anticancer properties to take effect. The preventive properties of mustard and other members of this plant family have been attributed principally to several compounds, the most important of which are indole-3-carbinol and the isothiocyanate group of chemicals. Although not all mechanisms through which brassicas exhibit anticancer effects are understood, the indoles, isothiocyanates and other compounds common to this family work in the following ways: 1.Inhibition of cancer-promoting enzymes: Brassica phytonutrients can inhibit both carcinogen-activating enzymes as well as NF-κB, the overproduction of which is associated with many cancers including that of the pancreas. 2.Induction of apoptosis: Isothiocyanates induce apoptosis by stimulating the production of reactive oxygen molecules in cancer cells. 3.Inhibition of inter-cellular communications: By interfering with cytokine communications between cancer cells, brassica phytochemicals can slow the progression and spread of tumours. 4.Detoxification of carcinogens: Indoles and isothiocyanates help protect DNA by increasing the activity of the liver enzymes that are responsible for the detoxification of carcinogens. 5.Excretion of meat toxin: Brassicas can increase the excretion of the powerful heterocyclic amine meat carcinogen, PhIP by as much as 130 percent. This carcinogen is thought to be responsible for the increased risk of colorectal, breast and prostate cancers, all of which have been linked to excessive meat consumption. 6.Protection against hydrogen-peroxide damage: Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful oxidant that is used by some immune cells to kill invading micro-organisms. However, in excess, it can cause damage to DNA, that may lead to accelerated aging, cancer and other diseases. Brassicas have been shown to be very effective at protecting white blood cell DNA against the damaging effects of surplus hydrogen peroxide. 7. Destruction of cancer stem cells:Research in 2010 shows that sulforaphane, common to mustard, broccoli and other brassicas has potent activity against breast cancer stem cells. Most anti-cancer drugs do not work against cancer stem cells - the reason why so many cancers recur in spite of treatment. This research suggests that a regular intake of broccoli and sulforaphane-containing spices such as mustard play an important role in preventing cancer by destroying cancer stem cells before they can develop into full-blown cancer. Click here to read this article on the use of mustard and other brassicas for skin cancer: Spices and skin cancer AntioxidantsMustard exhibits antioxidant effects through both direct and indirect mechanisms. In addition to several antioxidant compounds that mop up free radicals themselves, they contain compounds that enhance the activity of both ingested and internally produced antioxidants.Sulforaphane, for example, although not an antioxidant itself is an effective inducer of internally produced enzymes that, in turn, enhance the activity of the crucial intracellular antioxidant, glutathione. Sulphorofane also catalyzes the production of the powerful antioxidant bilirubin. Antimicrobial propertiesAlthough the primary focus of research into the brassicas such as mustard has been in relation to their anticancer properties, they have also been shown to possess strong antimicrobial properties against a variety of bacteria and fungi.Brassicas cooked or steeped with contaminated meat for only ten minutes significantly reduce the bacterial counts in the meat, and they are likely to exhibit similar valuable effects against other food-borne pathogens. Spice supplementVitaSpice capsules contain mustard and 20 other important medicinal spicesImportant phytonutrientsAntioxidants: Benzoic acid, caffeic acid, kaempferol, quercetin, sinapic acid, vanillic acidOthers: Indole-3-carbinol, isothiocyanates (most importantly the isothiocyanate, sulforaphane)
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