Acharya Balkrishna shares mustard oil remedy for sprains, draws on centuries-old Ayurvedic practice

Patanjali’s Acharya Balkrishna has shared a home remedy for sprains on Facebook. The post recommends heating mustard oil with salt and applying it to the affected area through massage, followed by a bandage.

The remedy is simple. Mustard oil is heated with a pinch of salt. Once it cools slightly, it is massaged onto the sprained area and then covered with a bandage. Balkrishna states this brings relief, a claim consistent with how mustard oil has been used for generations across Indian households for muscle and joint discomfort.

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Mustard oil’s place In Ayurveda

Mustard oil, known as sarshapa taila in Sanskrit, finds mention in classical Ayurvedic texts including the Charaka Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya. The texts describe mustard oil as having a hot, pungent quality and classify it under the Taila category of substances. Ayurvedic tradition holds that this heating property helps pacify Vata dosha, the bodily energy linked to movement, stiffness and pain.

Mustard oil is widely used for massage in Ayurveda due to its deep skin penetration and warming nature, and it is often diluted with coconut oil for people who find it too strong. It is also recommended for people dealing with cardiac issues, diabetes, skin infections and swelling, which broadens its traditional use beyond just joint and muscle care.

Salt and oil combinations in traditional use

Pairing mustard oil with salt is not unique to sprain remedies. A similar mixture of mustard oil and rock salt is used as a massage for toothache, applied directly on the jaw near the painful tooth. Rock salt combined with warmed mustard oil is also applied over joints in cases of rheumatoid arthritis, with regular use said to ease pain and swelling.

Salt is believed to enhance the warming sensation of the oil when massaged into the skin. This combination has carried forward through generations as a household fix for everyday aches, sprains, and stiffness, particularly in regions where mustard oil is a kitchen staple.

What modern health sources say about mustard oil

Beyond Ayurveda, several wellness sources point to compounds in mustard oil that may explain its popularity for pain relief. Mustard oil contains allyl isothiocyanate and omega-3 fatty acids, compounds associated with anti-inflammatory effects, and it is said to improve blood circulation and provide warmth to aching muscles and joints. Doctors note it may help with conditions like arthritis, sprains and muscle stiffness, and recommend warming the oil slightly before massaging it into the affected area in gentle circular motions.

Safety guidance from Ayurvedic practitioners suggests doing a patch test first since mustard oil can occasionally cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, and combining it with a milder oil like coconut or castor oil can make the application gentler.