# Rajika

> Rajika is a substance used in the Ayurvedic materia medica. Sinigrin (glucosinolate precursor) is hydrolyzed by myrosinase to AITC upon tissue damage. Erucic acid in mustard oil is slowly metabolized and may accumulate; low-erucic acid varieties preferred for dietary use.

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Rajika |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Katu | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu, Tikshna | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## What is it made of?

### Mineral/Elemental Profile

- **Primary component:** Mineral-derived preparation
- **Note:** Composition varies by specific preparation method

**Analytical Methods:** XRD, ICP-OES, SEM-EDS

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (seed powder), Taila (mustard oil), Lepa (paste/poultice), Capsule, Tablet, Condiment formulation, Essential oil (external)

**Standard Dosage:** 1-3 g seed powder daily; 5-10 mL mustard oil for cooking; topical paste as needed; 500 mg seed extract daily

**Bioavailability:** Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) from Brassica juncea (Rajika/brown mustard) has excellent oral bioavailability (>80%) with rapid absorption (Tmax <30 min). [Sinigrin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sinigrin) (glucosinolate precursor) is hydrolyzed by [myrosinase](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#myrosinase) to AITC upon tissue damage. Erucic acid in mustard oil is slowly metabolized and may accumulate; low-erucic acid varieties preferred for dietary use. [Selenium](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#selenium) content varies with soil and is well absorbed (~75%). Topical application of mustard oil provides warming counter-irritant effect through TRPA1 activation.

**Optimal Timing:** Seed powder: with meals as digestive. Oil: cooking use or topical massage before bath. Paste/poultice: apply warm to affected area for 15-20 minutes, avoid prolonged skin contact (can cause blistering).

**Standardized Extract:** Rajika seed extract standardized to sinigrin >3% (intact glucosinolate) or AITC >1% (hydrolyzed form). Cold-pressed mustard oil with erucic acid content documented, acid value <4 mg KOH/g.

**Shelf Life:** Seeds: 12-24 months; Cold-pressed oil: 6-12 months; Mustard essential oil: 24-36 months; Seed extract: 18-24 months; Capsules: 24 months

**Storage:** Seeds: cool, dry, pest-proof, below 25 deg C. Oil: amber glass or tin, below 25 deg C, protect from light (photooxidation). Essential oil: amber glass, tightly sealed, 15-25 deg C. Powder: airtight, dry, below 25 deg C.

**Marker Compounds:** Sinigrin, Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), Erucic acid, Oleic acid, Gluconapin, Selenium, [Sinapine](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sinapine), Myrosinase (enzyme activity)

### Extraction Methods

- Cold-press extraction for mustard oil
- Hydrodistillation or steam distillation for volatile oil (AITC)
- Aqueous extraction after myrosinase-mediated hydrolysis
- Hydroalcoholic extraction (50-60% ethanol) for glucosinolate preservation
- Enzyme-treated extraction (add exogenous myrosinase) for maximum isothiocyanate yield

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Haridra](/herb/haridra/) (anti-inflammatory paste for joint pain)
- Sarshapa/White mustard (combined mustard formulation)
- [Saindhava Lavana](/herb/saindhava-lavana/) (digestive and appetizer combination)
- Rasona/Garlic (cardiovascular and metabolic combination)
- [Tila](/herb/tila/)/Sesame (blended oil for Abhyanga massage)

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/rajika/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.