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Madurasherbals
Mustard Oil
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Product Description:
Mustard Oil is a cold pressed carrier oil extracted from the seeds of the mustard plant (Brassica juncea), a staple ingredient across Indian households for both culinary and traditional body care use. The oil is deep yellow to amber in colour with a strong, distinctive pungent scent and a characteristic warming sensation when applied to the skin. This warming quality has made it a long standing choice for traditional massage practices, particularly in colder weather. At Maduras Herbals, we supply Mustard Oil as a raw material for cosmetic manufacturers, DIY formulators, and skin and hair care product developers looking for a traditional, traceable carrier oil from India.
Botanical and Local Names
Botanical Name: Brassica juncea
English Name: Mustard Oil
Hindi Name: Sarson Tel
Tamil Name: Kadugu Ennai
Telugu Name: Avalu Nune
Malayalam Name: Kaduku Enna
Kannada Name: Sasive Enne
Key Properties
- Cold pressed from mustard seeds with no heat and no chemical solvents involved
- Strong, pungent scent characteristic of the mustard plant
- Distinctive warming sensation on application, traditionally favoured for massage
- Unrefined and supplied in its natural state without bleaching or deodorisation
- Deep yellow to amber colour, typical of an unrefined cold pressed seed oil
- Long standing traditional use across Indian households for external body care
- Often blended with lighter carrier oils to moderate its intensity
About Mustard Oil
Mustard oil is cold-pressed from the seeds of Brassica juncea or Brassica nigra, plants that are extensively cultivated across the Indian subcontinent, particularly in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana. It has been used in India for centuries in both cooking and traditional body care, most famously in the practice of infant massage in North India where it is applied to newborns to warm and strengthen the body — a tradition that has generated some modern clinical debate but reflects how deeply embedded this oil is in Indian domestic practice.
What makes mustard oil chemically distinctive is its very high erucic acid content, which can range from 20 to 50% of its fatty acid composition depending on the variety. Erucic acid is a very long chain monounsaturated fatty acid that gives mustard oil its characteristic warming sensation on skin and its high viscosity. Alongside erucic acid, mustard oil contains significant amounts of oleic acid and linoleic acid, plus a small but important presence of allyl isothiocyanate, the volatile compound responsible for its intensely pungent aroma. It also carries natural antifungal and antimicrobial activity. In haircare it is one of the most traditional Indian scalp oils, used to stimulate circulation, condition the scalp, and add shine and thickness to hair.
| Property | Detail |
|---|---|
| INCI Name | Brassica Juncea Seed Oil / Brassica Nigra Seed Oil |
| Sourced From | India — widely cultivated across Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana; one of India's most established oilseed crops |
| Processed & Packed | Processed & Packed in India |
| Function | Emollient, hair conditioning, skin conditioning, warming agent |
| Absorption Rate | Typically slow to medium due to high erucic acid content; may feel heavier than lighter carrier oils |
| Recommended Usage Amount | Typically up to 100% for traditional massage and haircare use; often blended with lighter oils for facial and body formulations |
| Heat Stability | Generally good due to high erucic acid content; best kept below 40°C for cosmetic applications |
| Colour | Typically amber to dark golden yellow; colour may vary slightly between batches depending on seed variety and processing |
| Scent | Strong, distinctively pungent aroma characteristic of mustard; intensity may vary between batches and grades |
| Oxidation Stability | Generally good to moderate; cool dark storage recommended |
| Restrictions | High erucic acid content means it is not approved for food use in the EU and some other markets; for cosmetic use it is permitted but patch test recommended for sensitive skin; warming sensation on skin is normal |
| Substitution | No direct substitute for its warming effect; sesame oil or groundnut oil can partially substitute as a base in traditional preparations |
Working with Mustard Oil in Your Formulations
Mustard oil is most at home in traditional Ayurvedic massage oils, hair oils, and scalp treatments where its warming, stimulating, and deeply conditioning properties are valued. It blends well with other traditional oils such as sesame, coconut, and bhringaraj for classic Indian hair and body preparations. Its strong scent and warming sensation are expected and welcomed in these contexts. For lighter or more delicately fragranced formulations, its scent and colour make it less practical at high percentages.
Quality & Formulation Notes
The warming sensation mustard oil produces on skin is normal and expected due to its allyl isothiocyanate content — it should be mentioned on product pages so customers are not alarmed. A patch test recommendation is sensible, particularly for sensitive or reactive skin. Its pungent scent will carry through into any formulation it is used in, so fragrance planning should account for this. Batch variation in colour intensity and scent strength is normal for a cold-pressed oil and does not indicate a quality concern.
Applications
Hair Care Formulations: Hair oils, scalp oil blends, traditional hair care formulations
Skin Care Formulations: Traditional massage oil blends, body oils, balms in combination with lighter carrier oils
Cosmetic and Soap Making: Soap making, carrier base for traditional massage and wellness blends
General Use: Bulk supply for cosmetic manufacturers, traditional and Ayurvedic product formulation
Packing and Storage
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat. Keep the container tightly sealed when not in active use. Recommended storage temperature below 25°C. Best before 12 months from packaging date. Natural variation in colour, pungency, and scent between batches is characteristic of a cold pressed, unrefined oil. For external and cosmetic use only.
Caution
Patch test is recommended before use on skin, as the oil's natural warming sensation may be intense for sensitive skin types. In case of any allergic reaction or irritation, discontinue use and consult a dermatologist or physician.
Disclaimer
All information on this website is for educational and reference purposes only and does not constitute medical, professional, legal, or technical advice.
Intended Use
Our products are raw materials and ingredients supplied for cosmetic formulation, personal care, manufacturing, aromatherapy, candlemaking, soap making, food and beverage, confectionery, research, and related industries. Suitability for any specific application is the buyer's responsibility.
Natural & Batch Variation
Natural variations in colour, aroma, texture, viscosity, and potency may occur between batches, as this is characteristic of natural and plant-derived ingredients and does not indicate a quality defect.
For formulated and processed products, including chemicals, waxes, bases, butters, and extracts, variations in performance or specification may also occur between batches.
For colouring agents and food colours, variations in shade, intensity, particle size, dispersion, and thickness may occur between batches due to sourcing or processing differences. For flavor oils, variations in colour, taste profile, and aromatic strength may occur between batches.
Equipment & Kits
Equipment, accessories, moulds, containers, and kits are utility and starter-level items with no performance warranty. Product images, kit contents, and item brands or models may vary based on stock availability.
Safety & Internal Use
Essential oils, aroma compounds, flavor oils, concentrated extracts, and chemicals must be handled responsibly and diluted appropriately. Products intended for internal use, including herbal powders, Ayurvedic botanicals, and food-grade ingredients, should be used under the guidance of a qualified healthcare, Ayurvedic, or food safety practitioner.
Testing, Samples & Lab Reports
Customers are responsible for testing suitability within their own formulation and intended application before placing bulk orders. Samples are at your own cost, and free samples may be available subject to stock and product type. Sample size and quantity are at our discretion, and shipping charges apply. Laboratory test reports can be arranged on request at an additional cost.
Representative Documents: COA & MSDS
The COA and MSDS linked on product pages are representative documents shared for reference purposes only and may not reflect the exact batch supplied for your order.
Batch-specific documents can be requested before or at the time of purchase. It is the customer's responsibility to verify that specifications meet their intended use before purchasing in bulk.
B2B Terms
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