Hedge Mustard is an overwintering weed, biennial, erect, branched plant. The plant is covered with thick hair and grows to a height of 30-60 cm. The lower and middle leaves of the stem are on petioles, cochleate, unevenly toothed, with a pronounced triangular tip. Upper leaves sessile, small, lanceolate or lanceolate. The flowers are yellow, small, arranged in a liquid spike-like, elongated inflorescence.

The above-ground part of the plant is used for medicinal purposes, and although the plant blooms from May to November, it is harvested only in the summer months. The plant is cut with a knife or sickle. They are dried by spreading them in a thin layer in a shady place, stored in the dark away from sunlight. The fresh plant has the strongest effect, the dried plant retains its properties for no longer than a year and is significantly weaker in effect.

The chemical composition of the medicinal plant is considered researched. The surface part of the plant contains tannins, thioglycosides, flavonoids, cardenolides (corchoroside A, helveticoside), carotene, ascorbic acid, oleic acid and sulfur. Myrosin, an enzyme present in the medicinal herb, interacts with the glycoside sinigrin to form mustard essential oil. Hedge Mustard seeds are rich in vegetable fats (<30%) and acids, including arachinic, linoleic, linolenic, palmitic, oleic, eicosadienoic, erucic, zicosenoic, and stearic acids.

Medicinal significance

The medicinal properties are based on its chemical composition. The tannins provide the plant's astringent properties, the heart muscle stimulating properties are provided by the glycoside sinigrin, and thanks to its high vitamin C content, the plant is an excellent remedy for scurvy.

When studying the plant at the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology of the University of Rome, it was determined that the plant does not have antibacterial properties, but at the same time it was determined that the plant has anti-mutagenic properties, in relation to Escherichia coli. Next, it was already planned to study the plant in more depth.

Hedge Mustard is widely used for the needs of folk medicine. It is recommended to be used for the treatment of diarrhea, various liver diseases, diabetes and gastritis. Scientists believe that this plant helps with pancreatitis and scurvy. Tonsillitis, angina, pharyngitis, bronchitis, laryngitis and other diseases of the upper respiratory tract, as well as asthma, are treated with the infusion of the plant.

Hedge Mustard is used as a diuretic - it is drunk for the treatment of inflammation of the urinary system. Plant juice and extracts are applied externally to treat stomatitis, scabies, various wounds and ulcers. The seeds of the plant can also be used as an anthelmintic, they also have a stimulating effect on the heart muscle.

Not recommended for use

Hedge Mustard also has its side effects. It should not be used by pregnant and nursing mothers, people who suffer from gall bladder diseases, and this baby should not be given to small children.

People who suffer from hypertension, pyelonephritis and arrhythmia should consult their doctor or herbalist before using this herb.

It should be taken into account that regular and long-term use of juices, decoctions and preparations can have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system, reduce the rhythm of the heart muscle.