Joints15 min
Mustard oil and garlic as a winter joint rub
Mustard oil warmed with garlic is a winter rub for joints that feel cold and stiff. It is external only and can feel hot, so the first use is a small test on the arm.
A hot-feeling winter oil for stiff joints
In cold months, mustard oil is a familiar body oil in many Indian homes. Warmed with a crushed garlic clove, it is used on a knee or ankle that feels chilly and slow to bend.
Mustard oil is sharper than sesame oil. A pleasant warmth is the aim, not a burn. Keep it off the face, off broken skin, and off any joint that is already red and hot.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons mustard oil
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- A small steel katori to hold the warm oil
How to prepare
- Warm the mustard oil on a very low flame with the garlic until the clove smells soft.
- Strain it and cool it until a drop on the inner arm feels warm, not biting.
How to use
- Test one drop on the inner arm. Wait a few minutes before you use it on a joint.
- Rub a thin film on the stiff joint. Stop if the skin feels hotter than you like.
- Wash your hands so the oil does not reach the eyes later.
Helpful habits
- Use this in winter, not on an already sweaty, overheated afternoon.
- A little oil goes further if the skin is patted dry after a warm wash.
Precautions
- This rub is external only and can feel hot. Do not swallow mustard oil from this pan.
- Do not use it on broken skin, the face, or a joint that is red and swollen.
- Wash it off if it stings. Children and anyone with very sensitive skin should skip mustard oil.
Frequently asked questions
Why does mustard oil feel hotter than sesame oil?
- Mustard oil has a sharp warmth of its own. That is why a drop test on the arm comes before a joint rub.
Can I leave mustard oil on overnight?
- A thin evening film is enough. If the skin keeps feeling hot, wipe it off with a damp cloth.
Is this rub for summer stiffness too?
- It is meant as a winter rub. In hot weather a milder sesame oil rub is the gentler choice.
