The Powwow Guy

Take a look along the road near your house, or maybe in your own weed-infested garden.. See some bright yellow flowers growing on a weedy stem? You might have mustard seed!

Mustard seed is used to make, you guessed it, Mustard. Typically, the seeds are soaked in water overnight, pulverized into a paste, then added to some powdered turmeric and white vinegar and you have America's second favorite condiment!

But mustard seed has some folklore and faith healing properties as well.

For example, in the 500's, mustard seed was believed to cure the bite and poison of a Scorpion! The seeds were also chewed on to releive toothaches. A plaster made of pulverized mustard seeds could aid with congestion by smearing on the bare chest. Even Saint Matthew knew the inherent powers of mustard seeds when he compared faith in Heaven to that of the mustard seed.

In Powwowing, a plaster of mustard seeds and horseradish is a VERY effective remedy to releive chest congestion and coughs. To make your own mustard, simply soak the seeds overnight, pulverize and blend with a dash of salt, a teaspoon of turmeric powder (for color) and white vinegar. Then strain it through a metal sieve and you have homemade mustard! It might be a little spicey the first few days, but eventually the vinegar takes the edge off the spice and it tastes like regular store-bought yellow mustard!