Hedge Mustard (Khaksi)

Hedge mustard/Khaksi (خاکسی) is found growing wild in most of the European countries, Southwest Asia and North Africa, and it has been introduced to both North and South America, South Africa and Australia. It is also known as London Rocket, Desert Mustard and Sisymbrium Officinale.

Today the plant is widely cultivated for its edible leaves and seeds.

Hedge mustard is an annual plant belonging to the cabbage family (Brassicaceae). The plant can grow up to 30-60 cm in height and has widespread stalks and deep-green hairy leaves.

The whole plant or just the flowering tops are used as herbal medicine. The plant is collected in the summer and may be used in liquid extracts.

Uses and benefits:

1. One of the better known traditional use of the herb was to treat hoarseness or a complete loss of voice, and for this reason the plant was sometimes called the singer’s plant.
2. The herb was extremely good against cough and as an excellent remedy for throat inflammation.
3. Hedge mustard was also used as folk medicine for ailments such as the common cold, gall bladder ailments, jaundice, pleurisy, sciatica and ulcers.
4. The fresh mashed herb was used externally as a remedy for gout and rheumatic ailments.
5. The herb is rich in vitamin C it was used to keep scurvy at bay, and also as a diuretic agent.
6. The fresh leaves can be eaten raw or cooked and used in salads, soups, sauces and omelettes.

Precautions:

Hedge mustard should not be used by children or the elderly, especially those with heart problems.