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 |
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
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).
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, Myrosinase (enzyme activity)
Synergistic Combinations
- Haridra (combined paste traditionally applied to joints)
- Sarshapa/White mustard (combined mustard formulation)
- Saindhava Lavana (digestive and appetizer combination)
- Rasona/Garlic (cardiovascular and metabolic combination)
- Tila/Sesame (blended oil for Abhyanga massage)
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
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