Indian Mustard

BotanicalBest with a meal

What is it

Indian mustard (Brassica juncea) is a cruciferous plant whose seed, sprouts, and greens are used in cooking and in supplements as a source of glucosinolates, particularly sinigrin.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Antioxidant and detoxification support

Limited Evidence

Cruciferous glucosinolates have established preclinical activity on phase II enzymes. Human outcome data are limited for B. juncea specifically.

How it works

Sinigrin in Brassica juncea is converted to allyl isothiocyanate by the enzyme myrosinase when the plant tissue is damaged. Allyl isothiocyanate is studied for chemopreventive activity through phase II detoxification enzyme induction and direct antimicrobial effects. Brassica juncea sprouts are particularly studied for their high concentrations of glucosinolates relative to mature plants. As a supplement ingredient, freeze-dried sprout powder is the most common form.

Dosage

There is no established dose. Sprout-based supplements often deliver 100 to 500 mg per capsule. Sulforaphane-type products from broccoli sprouts use 20 to 50 mg sulforaphane glucosinolate as a reference.

When and how to take it

No specific timing required. Take with food for comfort.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Brown mustard sprout powder

Freeze-dried sprout powder preserves more glucosinolates than dried mature plant.

Myrosinase activity affects active compound formation.

Safety

Considered safe at typical food and supplement doses. Very high cruciferous intake can affect thyroid function in iodine-deficient individuals.

Who should be cautious

People on warfarin should keep intake consistent. Pregnancy at food levels is safe; concentrated extract safety data are limited.

Interactions

Vitamin K content affects warfarin if intake changes substantially. Theoretical interactions with CYP-metabolized drugs at high doses.

Food sources

Cooked mustard greens

Amount
100 g
%DV

Frequently asked questions

Is Indian mustard similar to broccoli sprout supplements?

Both deliver isothiocyanates, but the specific compounds differ (allyl isothiocyanate from mustard, sulforaphane from broccoli).

Does mustard help with detoxification?

It contains compounds that induce phase II detoxification enzymes in animal studies. Human outcome evidence is limited.

References

Indian Mustard on WikidataWikidata link

Indian Mustard on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database)NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Indian Mustard (PubMed search)PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.