Mustard wrap

Although mustard seed powder (plant Sinapis alba of the cruciferous family) has long been used for medicinal purposes - to reduce joint or muscle pain, there are no official indications for such a procedure as a mustard wrap. [1]

But it is the various wraps that continue to be considered one of the most effective methods when it comes to trying to lose weight or improve skin tone.

Mustard wrap for weight loss

It should be known that mustard is an irritant - a local irritant. Mustard seeds (and mustard powder obtained by crushing them) contain aminoglycoside sinigrin, which, when mixed with warm water, breaks down to form allylisothiocyanate - allyl mustard oil, the burning effect of which is caused by the release of volatile caustic sulfur compounds.

Thus, allylisothiocyanate irritates nerve receptors of the skin and endings of sensitive and vasomotor (vasomotor) nerve fibers of the sympathetic nervous system located in the skin. The irritation leads to a reflex response in the form of local hyperemia (redness) and increased skin temperature, which occurs due to vasodilation (vasodilation) and blood flow into skin capillaries, venules and arteriolo-venular anastomoses.

The main question is: does this make the excess fat deposits on the waist or thighs disappear? Alas, they do not disappear! Because metabolism does not change, and subcutaneous adipose tissue does not react to a local increase in temperature. Simply at rapid heating increases the frequency of impulses of thermal thermoreceptors of the skin, and regulation of its temperature provides evaporation of sweat.

Sure, losing fluid with sweat may give the appearance of losing weight, but it's not the same as losing fat.

So mustard wrapping of the abdomen, thighs, buttocks and other "problem" parts of the body will not help sustainable weight loss: grams and centimeters gone with sweat will quickly return - after the use of water and food.

Mustard wrap for cellulite

If the wrap with mustard powder does not lead to real weight loss, the mustard wrap from cellulite does work! Blood flow improves intracellular metabolism and dermal tissue trophism.

And the combination of such procedures with the use of anti-cellulite products and massage will give even more tangible results.

Also read:

• Cellulite and how to fight it
• Cosmetic methods to fight cellulite

Preparation

Since in most cases conduct mustard wrapping at home, the preparation for the procedure is to prepare the mixture.

Basic recipe: two tablespoons of mustard powder is mixed with one or two tablespoons of flour, water (warm) is added and everything is stirred until homogeneous (consistency of thick sour cream).

Honey-mustard wrap involves adding a tablespoon of liquid honey to the mixture.

In case of cellulite, in addition to honey, you can add cosmetic clay, cocoa powder, sea salt, vegetable (preferably olive) oil, aloe juice to the mixture. Part of warm water can be replaced with apple cider vinegar or grapefruit juice, milk whey, decoction of rose hips, horsetail or chamomile from pharmacy

Technique of the mustard wrap

The resulting mixture is evenly applied to the skin of the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, on top - by wrapping - closed with several layers of food PVC film, and then insulated with clothing.

The maximum duration of the procedure is 20-25 minutes. It is recommended to perform no more than two treatments per week.

Contraindications to the procedure

Contraindications for mustard wraps include: high body temperature, bleeding (including menstrual bleeding), pregnancy and lactation, dermatological diseases, hypertension, varicose veins, inflammatory diseases of the reproductive organs, tuberculosis, malignant neoplasms of any localization.

Contraindicated mustard wrap for children.

Consequences after the procedure

Among the most common consequences and complications of this procedure are the appearance of persistent itching (with possible rashes), which indicates excessive irritation of the skin.

There may be persistent reddening of the skin with the formation of painful blisters - a sign of a chemical burn.

It is also noted the possibility of formation of hyperpigmentation zones on the skin (in the places of wrapping).

Care after the procedure

After the procedure is complete:

• the mixture is removed from the skin (with moistened napkins);
• take a shower (moderately warm);
• the skin is dried with a towel (blotting movements);
• moisturizer is applied to the skin.

Testimonials

Most of the reviews regarding the effectiveness of mustard wraps for weight loss, which the Internet is full of, do not inspire confidence, because it is not known what other methods of weight loss (diets, exercises) are used by their "authors". And claims that mustard smeared on the body "burns fat" are simply anecdotal.

Any read recipes and methods that do not come from medical professionals should be taken critically, and a share of healthy skepticism will help to avoid possible negative consequences.

For example, in 2017, a group of German dermatologists from Mannheim published a report on the treatment of grade II burns in a young woman who did a mustard and honey wrap (based on a description from the internet) and then had to seek medical attention.

Books on Mustard Wraps

• "The Oxford Handbook of Complementary Medicine" - Edited by Jeremy S. A. Edwards, Kate Thomas, and Trevor A. Sheldon (2008).
• "Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach" - Edited by John W. Spencer and Joseph J. Jacobs (2002).
• "The Scientific Basis of Integrative Medicine" - Edited by Leonard A. Wisneski and Lucy Anderson (2009).
• "Textbook of Natural Medicine" - Joseph E. Pizzorno Jr. And Michael T. Murray (2012).
• "Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide" - John W. Anderson (2002).
• "Complementary Therapies in Medicine: From Bench to Bedside" - Edited by Marcello A. Nicoletti and Giuseppe N. Giuseppe (2012).
• "Integrative Medicine: Principles for Practice" - Edited by Benjamin Kligler and Roberta Lee (2004).
• "The New Healing Herbs: The Essential Guide to More Than 125 of Nature's Most Potent Herbal Remedies" - Michael Castleman (2009).
• "Healing with Whole Foods: Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition" - Paul Pitchford (2002).
• "Energy Medicine: The Scientific Basis" - James L. Oschman (2000).
• "The Healing Power of Mind: Simple Meditation Exercises for Health, Well-Being, and Enlightenment" - Tulku Thondup (1996).
• "The HeartMath Solution: The Institute of HeartMath's Revolutionary Program for Engaging the Power of the Heart's Intelligence" - Doc Childre and Howard Martin (2000).

Literature used

• Genrikh Zeligov: Folk Medicine. 10000 recipes for 500 diseases. 2015.
• Irina Savelyeva: Mustard is a cure for a hundred ailments. 2006 г