THE FOLKLORE OF PLANTS: Mustard

Lisa Karen Miller

          One of the most famous parables of Buddhism illustrates the sacred belief that suffering is universal. Kisa Gotami was the wife of a wealthy man of Shravasti. After death took her only child, she was inconsolable. Her grief was so overwhelming, her husband feared she would lose her mind.

          A wise elder advised her to visit the Buddha, who told her that he could bring her child back to life if she would only bring him some white mustard seeds.

          “Is that all?” she asked in wonder.

          He replied, “They must come from a household that has never known sorrow.”

          The grieving woman went from house to house, looking for such a home, but soon discovered that (contrary to outward appearances) they had all suffered the loss of a family member.

          After reality dawned on her, she returned to the Buddha, who comforted her, congratulating her on what she had learned.

          Even the wise Buddha could not have convinced her with mere words; she had to learn this lesson through her own efforts. She eventually reaches enlightenment and achieves nirvana, or freedom from the endless cycle of death and rebirth.

          Native to India, mustard has been cultivated the world over for more than 5,000 years.

          The Romans mixed ground mustard seed with unfermented grape juice, or must. The resulting drink was called mustum ardens (burning must), which was shortened to its present form.

          In Christianity, the mustard seed signifies that something small and insignificant can grow into something larger and more powerful: “Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (Matthew 17:20).

          German folklore has it that a bride must sew some mustard seed into her skirt hems to assure she will have dominance in her new household. (I wonder if the grooms were informed of this.)

          Combined with poppy seeds, black mustard seeds have the ability to disrupt the activities of troublesome people. If you should ever find yourself in court, carrying these two seeds will cause such confusion that you will walk free.

          Both the greens and flowers are edible and rich in several essential nutrients. Folk medicine practitioners have long valued its heat-releasing properties. An old remedy for colds and chills is a soak in hot bath sprinkled with mustard powder, while a warm poultice eased achy joints. Mustard used to come only in this form; you had to mix it with a little vinegar and water to create the table condiment.

          So go ahead, move that mountain. We have faith in you.

© Copyright 2026 Lisa Karen Miller