WILD MUSTARD

A guide in the age of wild fires

WHY MUSTARD?

Brassica nigra, or black mustard, is a widely spread invasive plant species that is outcompeting California native plants and threatening biodiversity. Mustard produces chemicals that inhibit seed germination of other plants that are trying to come back in the wake of fire damage. And once dry, the mustard becomes tinder for wildfires. For the sake of our ecosystem, including California native plants and wildflowers such as poppy, lupine and yarrow, as well as our communities in an increasingly warm world, let’s put this plant to good use!

IDENTIFYING MUSTARD

There are 3,200 different species in the Brassicacea family, with B. nigra being just one of them. You’ll find the invasive plant, which can grow up to six feet tall, blanketing roadsides, hiking trails, farms, local parks, and really anywhere. Mustards grow quickly, setting seed early in the season before moisture is lost from the ground.

While the shape and size of each mustard plant varies, there are distinct characteristics that will help you identify it.

The Leaves

The leaves are irregularly shaped, toothed, and somewhat lobed. 

The Flowers

The small yellow mustard flowers occur in clusters at the top of the stalk. The flowers have four petals and four sepals. In the center of these petals are four tall stamens, two short stamens, and one pistil. 

The Mustard Seed Pods

Mustard seed pods come in various shapes and sizes, but always appear on the plant in the same radial pattern around the stalk like a spiral staircase. The seed pods split open from the center to expose the row of seeds in the middle.

 

HOW TO HARVEST

Every part of the plant has a use!

Mustard can be harvested by using hand shears to cut stalks at the base. The roots of the plant can be left in the soil because they help maintain soil structure and contribute nutrients to the soil biology.

HERE’S HOW TO SAVE MUSTARD SEED

Small harvests can be threshed by rubbing the pods between your hands or against a hard surface that will cause the shells to break open. For sizable harvests, place whole plants in large tubs or on tarps and step on them. After seeds have been dislodged, screen and winnow (blow chaff from grain) the remaining material. Ideally, the discarded stalks can be dried out and chipped into mulch, or added to compost

FOOD

Every part of the mustard plant is edible!

Nutritionally packed leaves can be eaten raw or cooked, and are similar to spinach in flavor. The peppery flowers are tasty in a salad, or eaten straight from the plant on a hike. 

The dried seeds, ground or whole, are used in many dishes such as curry or in brine for pickling vegetables. They can also be made into the condiment mustard with the use of vinegar.

HERE’S HOW TO MAKE THE CONDIMENT:

Combine in a bowl:

  • 1/2 cup mustard seeds
  • 1/2 cup beer
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup

Cover and let stand for 2-3 days.

 

After 2-3 days:

Pour the mixture in a blender and blend until smooth and a little grainy. Add 1 tablespoon of water if the mustard is too thick.

 

Lasts up to 6 months in the refrigerator.

NATURAL REMEDY

MUSTARD OIL

You can make mustard oil, which is particularly soothing and warming to the body, especially in winter.

Ingredients needed:

  • 1 cup of ground mustard seeds
  • 1 cup of a carrier oil such as sweet almond, coconut oil or olive oil. 
  • Optional: 5–10 drops of essential oils like ylang-ylang or lavender oil.

 

Steps:

  1. Grind the mustard seeds in a mortar and pestle or in a coffee grinder, then set aside.
  2. Create a water bath by filling a saucepan halfway with water. Place on the stove and turn heat on low.
  3. Place a glass container into the water bath. It is very important to not allow any water to get in the oil, so be sure that water doesn’t spill over into the container.
  4. Pour the cup of carrier oil into the glass container.
  5. Add the mustard seeds to the oil.
  6. Heat the oil for two to six hours, making sure the oil stays between 100 – 140 F.
  7. Remove from heat and allow to cool down. 
  8. Once it’s cool, strain through a cheesecloth.
  9. Store in an airtight container such as a mason jar.

 

Keep it in the refrigerator between uses.

 

You can apply mustard in different forms to achieve different results. Here are some ideas of how to use wild mustard for impromptu remedies.

 

Hair conditioner

Mustard oil is touted as an excellent conditioner as well. It is recommended to apply a generous amount of mustard oil on the scalp and leave it for eight hours or overnight.

  • The ground seeds can be added to a bath or made into a paste that is laid upon aching muscles or joints to reduce inflammation.
  • Mustard is also taken as a tea to reduce headaches and steamed to clear sinus congestion.
  • Mustard is known to soothe the skin and can be made into a healing face mask.
  • Foot scrub – Mustard helps relax the feet after a long day’s work. It is advisable to add mustard to a basin of warm water for best results.

IN THE HOME

  • Emergency dishwasher – Mustard powder is an excellent dishwasher as it effectively absorbs grease. Adding two parts mustard powder to one part baking soda makes for a powerful dishwashing solution.
  • Deodorizer – Mustard powder is known to rid bottles and dishes of foul odor from food residues.

    MAKE PAPER

    Paper can be made from mustard’s strong cellulose fiber.

    To make paper you will need a mold and deckle. You can make a mold by stapling a fine mesh screen (such as the material from an old screen door) to a flat frame. For the deckle, find a frame about the same size as the mold. The deckle will be stacked on top of the mould’s frame.

    MATERIALS NEEDED:

    • Mold and Deckle
    • Wild Mustard Stems (About 4 Cups Worth)
    • Soda Ash or Washing Soda
    • Mallet
    • Blender
    • Water Basin

     

    Steps:

    1. Gather plant parts, cut into small pieces, and soak them overnight in water.
    2. Fill a stainless-steel cooking pot with water and boil plants with soda ash, washing soda for about two to three hours. You’ll need about one half cup of soda ash for every four cups of plant material.
    3. Once fibers easily separate against the grain, strain and beat the pulp with a mallet on a sturdy surface. You may also do this outdoors by stomping on it instead of using a mallet.
    4. After beating the pulp, make sure the fibers are broken up even more by placing it into a blender with water and blending it on high.
    5. Once fibers are thoroughly broken up, put the pulp in a basin of water. Use your hands to agitate the water, stack the mold and deckle on top of each other and dunk into the basin, lifting up to reveal a thin layer of pulp on the screen.
    6. Transfer the wet sheet from the screen by lifting away the deckle and gently pressing the mold upside down onto an absorbent surface.
    7. Press with a sponge to remove water. Let dry on flat surface.

    Optional:

    This is a good chance to recycle old papers. You can include plain papers that don’t have any sort of lamination or coating. Tear the papers into small pieces and add them to the plant mixture at step 4 onwards.

    NATURAL INK

    Ink making is a fun way to experiment with natural colors. There are no strict rules in making ink, so have fun with this one and don’t be afraid to get creative with the recipe. Once you havec reated the ink, dip a brush into it and paint onto the paper you made!

    MATERIALS NEEDED:

    • 1 cup of mustard flowers and ground seeds
    • 2 cups water
    • 2 tablespoons vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon salt
    • Liquid gum arabic

     

    Steps:

    1. Put mustard flowers, seeds, water, vinegar and salt into a pot and
      heat to just below boiling. Cook for at least two hours.

    2. Pour the liquid mixture into a bowl, straining out all the plant
      matter through a cheesecloth.

    3. Add about ten drops of gum Arabic to the liquid mixture.

    4. You can adjust the ink toyour desired consistency by adding water
      to thin it or more gum arabic to thicken it.

    FERTILIZER

    Mustard can be tilled directly back into one’s soil, its nutritionally dense composition makes for a great plant fertilizer. It can also be used as green matter in one’s compost.

      BIO-FUMIGANT

      Use it in your garden to ward off pests and weeds and increase soil health. Mustard green manures or seed meal is high in glucosinolates, upon incorporation into the soil, form an alternative to synthetic fumigants which denude the soil of beneficial microbes and insects.

        BIO-FUEL

        Lastly, mustard can be used as biofuel for cars and planes. We don’t expect you to make this one yourself, but perhaps you can support the companies who do! 

        This is the digital version of our physical Zine created in 2019.

        Our zine has been featured in:

        AP Press news article

        KCRW Good food podcast