Post-cheering at a game, your throat feels raw? Fear not, leftover mustard from the tailgate can come to the rescue. Mix mustard with lemon juice, salt, honey, and boiling water. Gargle the concoction to ease the soreness. Brave souls can add a cap of mouthwash for an extra kick.
Mustard Magic: 9 Surprising Uses Beyond the Sandwich
Mustard, oh mustard, you versatile condiment! Let's explore the myriad ways mustard goes beyond just being a sandwich sidekick. From soothing sore throats to surprising uses in beauty regimes, here are nine unexpected applications for mustard that might just change the way you see this humble condiment.
But before diving into these quirky uses, a quick trip down mustard's memory lane: the Romans, inspired by the Egyptians, first encountered mustard seeds. They blended ground mustard with unfermented grape juice, dubbing the mixture “must” — hence the birth of mustard!
Throat Soother
Odor Neutralizer
Ever regretted a product purchase but loved the container? Rinse it out with mustard and hot water. Accidentally met a skunk on the road? Remove the odor by splashing a mustard-water mix on tires and under the car. Your passengers will thank you.
Decongestant
Feeling congested? Skip the decongestant and rub mustard on your chest. Place a hot, damp cloth on top for quick relief that will also awaken your sense of smell, courtesy of the mustard.
Face Mask Magic
Beyond elevating your food's flavor, mustard can enhance your skin. Out of a traditional face mask? Apply a thin layer of mustard for a few minutes, then rinse, for smoother, glowy skin. A word of caution: test on your inner wrist for sensitive-skin reactions before trying a mustard facial.
Muscle Relaxant
Aching muscles after a workout? Take a mustard-infused bath with Epsom salts. For tired feet, opt for a mustard foot bath. For targeted muscle pain, make a mustard paste, apply it to a cloth, and secure it on the sore spot.
Garden Guardian
Protect your veggies from deer by rubbing mustard on tin plates near your garden. White mustard seed can also prevent weed growth — scatter it around your garden, or plant it near prized plants after doing a little research on compatibility.
Hair Elixir
Mustard oil is a salon secret: pour it on your palm, massage it into your hair, leave it for eight hours or overnight under a shower cap, and rinse for softer, bouncier locks.
Burn Relief
Too enthusiastic in the kitchen? Ease burn pain by applying mustard. Cool the burn under running water first, then generously spread mustard over the affected area — the compounds in mustard work wonders on burn discomfort.
Miscellaneous Marvels
Mustard has a few more tricks up its sleeve, too: it can help catch fishing worms and even temporarily fix a car radiator. From culinary companion to health and beauty aid, it's time to see mustard in a whole new light.
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