Does Mustard Decrease Inflammation? A Scientific Review

December 21, 2025 •

5 min read

Traditionally used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, mustard contains potent bioactive compounds that have shown promise in lab studies and traditional practice to decrease inflammation. This article reviews the current scientific understanding of mustard’s anti-inflammatory potential and explores its traditional uses.

Quick Summary

Mustard seeds contain bioactive compounds like glucosinolates and omega-3s, which exhibit anti-inflammatory effects in laboratory and animal studies, supporting its traditional use for pain relief.

Key Points

Anti-Inflammatory Compounds: Mustard seeds contain potent bioactive compounds like glucosinolates (converting to AITC) and omega-3 fatty acids, which show anti-inflammatory potential.
Cellular Pathway Inhibition: Research shows sinigrin, a compound in mustard, inhibits inflammatory pathways like NF-κB and MAPK in lab settings, which are central to the inflammatory process.
Traditional and Topical Use: Historically and currently, mustard is used topically via plasters or oil to soothe arthritis and muscle pain by increasing blood flow, a practice rooted in traditional medicine.
Limited Human Evidence: While promising animal and lab studies exist, more clinical research is needed to fully validate mustard's systemic anti-inflammatory effects in humans and determine effective dosages.
Fermentation Enhances Potency: A study on mustard leaf kimchi suggests that fermentation may increase the anti-inflammatory activity of mustard greens by altering their phenolic content.
Dietary Considerations: While a flavorful addition, the anti-inflammatory effects from typical dietary intake of mustard are likely modest compared to therapeutic levels, which may require specific preparations or supplements.
Safety Precautions: Topical mustard can cause skin irritation or burns, and some mustard oils contain high levels of erucic acid, which may be harmful in large quantities, so it's important to be cautious.

The Science Behind Mustard's Anti-Inflammatory Compounds

Mustard, derived from the seeds of the Brassicaceae plant family, contains several key compounds that contribute to its potential anti-inflammatory effects. These include glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, and omega-3 fatty acids. The specific compounds and their concentrations can vary depending on the mustard variety (e.g., yellow, brown, or black) and how it is processed.

Key Bioactive Ingredients

Glucosinolates and Isothiocyanates: When mustard seeds are crushed or chewed, an enzyme called myrosinase is released, which hydrolyzes the glucosinolates into isothiocyanates. The most studied of these isothiocyanates is allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), found abundantly in brown and black mustard seeds. AITC is responsible for mustard's pungent flavor and has shown anti-inflammatory properties in various studies.
Sinigrin: This is a specific glucosinolate particularly abundant in black mustard seeds. When broken down, it forms AITC. Research has shown that sinigrin itself possesses immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing key inflammatory pathways in macrophage cells.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Mustard seed oil is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, specifically alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Omega-3 fatty acids are well-known for their role in regulating the body's inflammatory processes, reducing oxidative stress, and supporting heart health.

How Mustard Works on a Cellular Level

Research on the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of mustard-derived compounds has primarily been conducted in laboratory settings using cell cultures. These studies reveal several key actions:

Inhibition of NF-κB Pathway: The compound sinigrin has been shown to suppress the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. The NF-κB pathway plays a critical role in regulating the immune response and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. By inhibiting this pathway, sinigrin can effectively reduce inflammation.
Suppression of Inflammatory Mediators: Studies have found that mustard compounds can inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Furthermore, some studies show a decrease in the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), enzymes that produce inflammatory compounds.

Scientific Evidence: What the Research Says

In-Vitro and Animal Studies

The majority of scientific evidence supporting mustard's anti-inflammatory properties comes from preclinical studies. For example, research on mice with psoriasis-induced inflammation found that consuming mustard seed decreased several inflammatory markers. Similarly, an in-vitro study on macrophage cells showed that mustard seed extract and fermented mustard leaf kimchi significantly inhibited the production of inflammatory mediators. These studies demonstrate promising anti-inflammatory activity, but clinical trials in humans are limited.

Traditional and Topical Uses

Mustard has a long history of traditional use as a topical remedy for relieving muscle and joint pain. Historically, mustard plasters—poultices made from mustard powder and water—were applied to the skin to create a warming sensation and stimulate circulation. Today, mustard oil is still used topically for massages aimed at alleviating joint pain and stiffness, with some studies confirming its pain-relieving effects when massaged into the skin. However, caution must be exercised with topical application, as pure mustard oil and plasters can cause skin irritation or burns.

Comparison of Anti-Inflammatory Spices

To better understand mustard's place among natural anti-inflammatory agents, it can be compared to turmeric, another well-known anti-inflammatory spice. The key differences lie in their primary bioactive compounds, research depth, and potential applications.


Feature	Mustard (Seeds, Oil, Paste)	Turmeric (Root, Curcumin)
Key Bioactive Compounds	Glucosinolates (Sinigrin), Allyl Isothiocyanate (AITC), Alpha-Linolenic Acid (ALA)	Curcuminoids (especially Curcumin), Volatile Oils
Mechanism	Inhibits NF-κB and MAPK pathways; downregulates inflammatory cytokines and enzymes	Inhibits inflammatory molecules (NF-κB, COX-2, etc.); potent antioxidant effects
Research Level (Human)	Limited clinical studies, mostly traditional use and preclinical evidence	Extensive clinical research, particularly on concentrated curcumin supplements for joint and chronic pain
Absorption	Variable, some compounds are potent but require specific conditions (e.g., chewing seeds for myrosinase)	Poorly absorbed on its own; absorption is significantly enhanced by black pepper (piperine) and fats
Common Use	Flavoring agent in foods; topical remedy for muscle/joint pain	Dietary spice (curries); concentrated supplements for targeted health concerns
Side Effects (Excess)	Digestive irritation, skin burns (topical), high erucic acid concerns in some oils	Mild digestive issues, contraindications for certain conditions (gallstones, blood thinners)

How to Incorporate Mustard into Your Diet

For those interested in exploring the potential benefits of mustard, there are several ways to add it to your diet and wellness routine:

Culinary Use: Incorporate mustard seeds, mustard oil (use a variety low in erucic acid, or as specified by local regulations), or prepared mustard into your meals. Use seeds in dressings, sauces, or roasted vegetables. Add prepared mustard to sandwiches and marinades.
Fermented Mustard: Research suggests that fermentation, like in mustard leaf kimchi, can enhance the anti-inflammatory properties. Try making your own fermented mustard or exploring probiotic-rich fermented dishes containing mustard greens.
Cooking with Seeds: Crushing or grinding mustard seeds before use can help release the beneficial isothiocyanates.

Potential Risks and Considerations

While mustard has many potential benefits, it is important to be aware of certain risks:

Allergic Reactions: Some individuals may have allergic reactions to mustard, which can range from mild skin rashes to more severe symptoms.
Topical Irritation: As mentioned, topical application of pure mustard oil or plasters can cause serious skin irritation or burns and should be used with caution and tested on a small skin area first.
Erucic Acid: Some types of mustard oil contain high levels of erucic acid, which can be harmful in large amounts. The FDA advises against using certain types of mustard oil as cooking oil. It is crucial to choose varieties specified as safe for dietary consumption.

Conclusion: Does Mustard Decrease Inflammation?

Mustard contains several bioactive compounds, including isothiocyanates, sinigrin, and omega-3 fatty acids, that possess anti-inflammatory properties demonstrated in laboratory and animal studies. These findings support its long-standing use in traditional medicine for treating inflammatory conditions like arthritis and muscle pain. However, robust clinical evidence from human trials is currently limited, and most topical use is based on anecdotal or traditional practice rather than rigorous scientific validation. While including mustard in your diet can contribute to overall health and may offer some anti-inflammatory benefits, it is not a validated treatment for chronic inflammatory diseases. For specific health concerns, it is best to consult a healthcare professional. Exploring mustard as a dietary supplement or through traditional preparations can be a flavorful way to incorporate these beneficial compounds into your wellness routine.

For a deeper dive into the specific anti-inflammatory mechanisms of sinigrin, you can review this study on PubMed: Sinigrin Inhibits Production of Inflammatory Mediators by Suppressing NF-κB/MAPK Pathways or NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation in Macrophages.

Note: The anti-inflammatory effects of dietary mustard, especially as a condiment, are likely modest compared to concentrated supplements like curcumin, which have more extensive clinical research.

Frequently Asked Questions

The anti-inflammatory effects of mustard are primarily linked to bioactive compounds like isothiocyanates (particularly allyl isothiocyanate, or AITC, from sinigrin) and omega-3 fatty acids, which regulate inflammatory processes.

Yes, mustard oil has been traditionally used as a topical massage oil to relieve joint and muscle pain, a practice supported by some studies showing it can reduce discomfort and increase circulation. However, pure mustard oil can cause skin burns, and more clinical research is needed.

No, the amount of anti-inflammatory compounds from typical dietary intake of prepared mustard is relatively low. While beneficial, it is not comparable to the concentrated, targeted doses found in supplements with extensive clinical backing, such as curcumin.

Excessive consumption of raw mustard or large amounts of mustard seed can cause stomach irritation in some individuals. Topically, pure mustard oil can cause skin irritation and burns, and certain dietary mustard oils may contain high levels of erucic acid, which can be harmful.

To get the most benefit, use whole mustard seeds and chew them to activate the beneficial isothiocyanates. Some studies also suggest that fermentation, such as in mustard leaf kimchi, can enhance anti-inflammatory properties.

While supermarket yellow mustard is made from mustard seeds containing anti-inflammatory compounds, processing can affect the concentration and stability of these compounds. It may offer some benefits, but research often focuses on raw seeds or extracts.

Both spices have anti-inflammatory potential, but their primary active compounds differ (isothiocyanates vs. curcuminoids). Turmeric, particularly concentrated curcumin supplements, has more extensive clinical research validating its efficacy for systemic inflammation, whereas mustard's evidence is largely preclinical or based on traditional use.