Mustard

 Not sure I want to put oil on my hair, but here's the story:

Copilot:

What is mustard oil and where can I get it?

🌿 What Is Mustard Oil?

Mustard oil is a pungent, flavorful oil extracted from mustard seeds—typically from Brassica nigra (black mustard) or Brassica juncea (brown mustard). It’s widely used in South Asian cuisine, especially in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, for cooking, pickling, and even traditional medicine.

🧪 Key Characteristics:

Flavor: Strong, spicy, and wasabi-like

Smoke Point: High (~480°F / 249°C), great for frying

Uses:

Cooking (in regions where it's permitted)

Massage oil and hair treatments

Ingredient in pickles and spice blends

⚠️ Regulatory Note:

In Canada and the U.S., pure mustard oil is labeled “For External Use Only” due to its high erucic acid content, which has raised health concerns in animal studies. However, low-erucic acid versions are available and may be marketed for culinary use.

🛒 Where to Buy Mustard Oil in St-Jean-Sur-Richelieu, QC

Here are a few local options where you might find mustard oil:

Store Address Notes

Halles St-Jean 145 St Joseph, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC J3B 1W5 Local gourmet market, may carry specialty oils

Walmart St-Jean Check online or in-store Sometimes stocks mustard oil in the international foods section

Super C - St-Jean 600 Rue Pierre-Caisse, Suite 2000 Large grocery store, check ethnic foods aisle

Healthy Planet Canada Online option Offers 500mL bottles of mustard oil for external use

Would you like tips on how to use mustard oil in cooking or skincare? Or maybe a recipe that features it?

How would I use it to re-start hair growth?

🧴 Using Mustard Oil to Support Hair Growth

While mustard oil isn't a miracle cure for baldness, it can support healthier hair by improving scalp conditions and reducing breakage. Here's how to use it effectively:

🌟 Benefits for Hair

Improves scalp circulation: The warming effect of mustard oil may stimulate blood flow, which helps nourish hair follicles

Moisturizes and conditions: Rich in fatty acids and vitamin E, it can hydrate dry hair and reduce frizz

Antimicrobial properties: May help combat dandruff and scalp infections

Reduces inflammation: Useful for soothing scalp conditions like eczema or folliculitis

⚠️ Note: There's no clinical evidence that mustard oil directly regrows hair or reverses baldness

🧖‍♀️ How to Use It for Hair Care

1. Hot Oil Massage

Warm 2–3 tablespoons of mustard oil (not hot—just comfortably warm)

Massage into your scalp for 10–15 minutes using circular motions

Leave it on for 30 minutes to overnight

Wash out with a gentle shampoo

2. Hair Mask Blend

Mix mustard oil with:

Coconut oil (for deep conditioning)

Castor oil (for thickness)

A few drops of rosemary or peppermint essential oil (for stimulation)

Apply the blend to your scalp and hair, leave for 1–2 hours, then rinse.

3. Weekly Routine

Use once or twice a week

Aways do a patch test before first use to check for irritation

Would you like a custom hair oil blend recipe based on your hair type or concerns (like thinning, dryness, or dandruff)?

I am 75 years old, and the hair on the top of my head has stopped growing...

Thanks for sharing that, Louise. At 75, it's completely normal to experience changes in hair growth—especially on the crown or top of the head. Hair follicles can become dormant with age, and hormonal shifts, reduced circulation, and even nutritional deficiencies play a role. But there are still ways to support scalp health and possibly encourage some regrowth or thickening.

🧠 Understanding Age-Related Hair Loss

As we age:

The anagen (growth) phase of hair shortens

Hair follicles miniaturize, producing finer strands

Hormonal changes (like reduced estrogen or testosterone) slow growth

Scalp oil production decreases, leading to dryness and breakage2

🌿 Can Mustard Oil Help?

Mustard oil won’t regrow hair on bald patches, but it may help revitalize dormant follicles and improve scalp conditions that support healthier hair.

✅ Potential Benefits:

Improves blood circulation to the scalp via its warming effect

Moisturizes dry scalp, reducing breakage

Antibacterial and antifungal properties may help with dandruff or folliculitis

Rich in omega-3s and vitamin E, which nourish follicles

⚠️ There’s no clinical proof that mustard oil directly stimulates new hair growth, but it may help maintain what you have and improve texture

🧴 How to Use Mustard Oil for Scalp Health

🧖‍♀️ Simple Hot Oil Massage

Warm 1–2 tablespoons of mustard oil (just lukewarm)

Massage gently into your scalp for 10–15 minutes

Leave on for 30 minutes to 1 hour

Wash with a mild shampoo

🧪 Optional Blend for Extra Nourishment

Mix:

1 tbsp mustard oil

1 tbsp almond oil (for softness)

1 tbsp jojoba oil (for hydration)

Apply as a mask once a week. Always do a patch test first to check for irritation.

🛒 Where to Buy

You can find mustard oil for external use on Amazon Canada. Look for:

Cold-pressed

100% pure

Labeled for hair or massage use

Would you like me to suggest a gentle hair care routine tailored to your age and scalp condition? Or explore other natural oils that might help too?

                                                                      *     *     *

Been monitoring the Forest Fire smoke situation across Canada. (Daughter Lyse is flying

back from BC tomorrow). The Weather Network has a new map on which we can see things evolving.

Bad today, but by Wednesday, a lot of the smoke should have dissipated toward the North.

                                                                         

Cartes: Feu et Fumée - MétéoMédia

                                                                     *     *     *

The BC Interior over the week-end: