M
PH2); Otosis (f; BIB); Pain (f; BIB; PH2); Paralysis (f; PHR [XO]; PH2); Parasite (f; BIB); Pleurisy
(1; JFM; PHR [XO]); Pneumonia (1; BIB; PHR [XO]); Respirosis (1; APA; PH2); Rheumatism
(2; KOM; PHR [XO]); Rhinosis (f; BIB); Sclerosis (f; BIB); Snakebite (f; BIB; SKJ); Sore (f;
PH2; SKJ); Spasm (f; JFM; SKJ); Splenomegaly (f; BIB); Splenosis (f; BIB; JFM; JLH); Stom-
achache (f; BIB); Swelling (f; JFM; PH2); Toothache (f; BIB; DAA); Tumor (1; BIB); Vomiting
(f; PH2); Water Retention (f; PNC); Worm (f; BIB; DAA; WO2).
Dosages (Mustard) — 4 tbsp flour in water for compress or poultice (KOM); 20–30 g powdered
seed (flour)/liter water for foot bath; 150 g flour in a pouch with bath water for mustard bath (PHR).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Mustard) — Class 2d (AHP (XO)). Ingestion
of large quantities can cause irritant poisoning. Commission E reports seed permitted for external
use only. Contraindications: children younger than 6 years, and renal disease (mustard oil is
absorbed through the skin). Even external poultice should be limited to 5–10 minutes pediatrically,
10–15 minutes for adults, less for sensitive patients. (KOM). Plaster for 15–30 minutes can cause
severe burns (AHP). Contraindicated in GI ulcers and nephrosis (PHR). Adverse effects: skin and
nervous damage (prolonged use). Should not be used for more than 2 weeks (AEH). Millspaugh
has said “unground seeds ... proved dangerous, as they are liable to become impacted in the bowel
and set up a fatal inflammation” (CEB). Overdoses internally cause GI distress (PHR). Avoid taking
with ammonia-containing products as ammonia with mustard oil yields inactive thiosinamine (PH2).
Don’t overdo it. In huge quantities, glucosinolate/isothiocyanate-containing crucifers might upset
the thyroid. Hyperthyroidism with goiter traced to the use of the isothiocyanates in mustard (APA).
Delaneyite nitpickologists will doubtless clamber to put the same goitrogenic warning on all
members of the mustard family as well as papaya, caper, and nasturtium (JAD). In large doses,
hard to get dietarily, indole-3-carbinol might stimulate breast cancer rather than prevent it because
it does so at levels reasonably attainable through dietary consumption of crucifers (Brassicaceae).
MYRRH (Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl. and other spp.) ++Synonyms: Balsamodendrum myrrha Nees, Commiphora molmol Engl., C. myrrha var. molmol
Engl.