Hedge Mustard Uses, Dose, Research, Side Effects

Hedge mustard is called Khubkala in Ayurveda. Its seeds balance Vata Dosha and is useful in fever and cough. It is not mentioned in Ayurvedic Samhitas and Nighantus, it is a recent inclusion into Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia.

Botanical name– Sisymbrium irio Linn
The herb is explained in Dravyaguna Vijnana of PV Sharma as Sisymbrium irio. Both he and JLN Shastry have quoted its English name as – Hedge mustard. True botanical name of hedge mustard  is Sysimbrium officinalis.Because it is said that its effects are similar to Mustard, Both Sirio and S. officinalis can be conisdered as Khubkala.
Sisymbrium irio English name is – London rocket or London Hedge Mustard.
Family- Cruciferae (Brassicaceae) (Rajika kula)

Vernacular names

Names in different languages:
Hindi  name- Khubhkala, Khaksi
English name- Hedge mustard
Arabic name – Khubba
Hindi name – Khubkala
Farsi name – Khoobkala, Khakachi
Punjabi name – Maktarusa
Marathi name – Ranatikhi

Major chemical constituents

Seed- isorhamnetin; Aerial parts, Quercertin, isorhamnetin, B- ditosterol etc
jln(Reference: Illustrated Dravyaguna VIjnana, Vol. II, by Dr JLN Shastry)

Sisymbrium irio chemical constituents: khubkalaapigenin, apigenin-7-galactoside, apigenin-7-O-?-d-glucoside, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, apigenin-7-di-glucoside 5, apigenin-7-O-(6?acetyl) glucoside, apigenin-7-O-gluco(6-1) rhamnoside, apigenin-7-O-gluco(6-1)rhamnoside-5-methoxide, kampferol and kampferol-3-xyloside-7-galactoside. – (Reference: Science Direct)

Medicinal properties

Hedge mustard medicinal properties:
Guna (qualities) – Snigdha (oily, unctuous), Picchila (sticky)
Rasa (taste) – Katu (pungent)
Vipaka- Katu – undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion
Veerya – Ushna – Hot potency
Effect on Tridosha – Balances Vata Dosha.
Karma – Balances Vata and Kapha Dosha

Part used, dosage

Part used– Seeds
Dosag– Powder 3-6 g in divided dose per day.

Benefits

Hedge Mustard – Khubkala benefits:
(dra.gu.vi)

Sarshapabhasa – its effects are quite similar to benefits of mustard
Katu – pungent
Ushna – hot
Picchila – sticky
Sara – induces mobility, causes diarrhoea, purgation, relieves constipation
Balya – improves strength and immunity
Svedani – induces sweating

Indications

It is indicated in-
Jwara – fever
Kasa – cough, cold
Vomiting, excessive thirst,
Skin disorders,
Ama – product of indigestion and altered metabolism
It is anti-inflammatory, analgesic.
It is used in treating swelling of gallbladder.

External application

Its paste is applied over the breast to relieve mastitis. It is also useful to improve joint flexibility and to relieve pain in arthritis.

Side effects

It is best to avoid higher doses in Pitta body type persons.
It is best to avoid it during pregnancy. Seek medical advice for its use during lactation.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

Ayurvedic medicines

Ayurvedic medicines with Khubkala as ingredient:
Gojihvadi Kashaya – used in the treatment of fever, cough, bronchitis etc

Seeds, sisymbrium sp. seeds, whole, dried

Rasa – pungent
Guna – unctuous, slimy
Veerya – hot
Vipaka – pungent
Effect on Doshas
Vata balancing
Pitta nourishing
Kapha balancing

Sthanika karma (Systemic Acton)

Externally – Anti inflammatory and Analgesic in nature. Used for inflammatory conditions of Eye. Its paste is applied over the breast to relieve mastitis.

Internally
Digestive system –Facilitate normal movement of vata dosha. It is beneficial in conditions associated with excessive thirst, vomiting, Dysentery, Abdominal distension etc. In dysentery to prevent vomiting it is administered with Arka (Calotropis procera) flower

Respiratory System – Eliminate vitiated kapha dosha. Indicated in chronic kasa (Cough), breathing difficulty, Hoarseness of voice etc.
Skin – Indicated in skin disorders, stimulate sweat production.

Tvak – Indicated in skin disorders. Increases sweat production.

Satmikarana – Promote strength , indicated in general debility

Tapak rama -Indicated in fever with skin eruptions. (Chickenpox etc.)