Cenkatuku ചെങ്കടുക് / സര്‍ഷപം

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Cenkatuku is an annual plant growing up to 3 ft quite fast. The leaves are pinnately lobed, alternate, dark green and thick. Flowers are yellow and borne in a long terminal inflorescence. The plant grows and can be harvested all year round. Leaves, stalks and seeds are edible. The leaves and stalks are boiled in salted water. The species is a very common leafy vegetable in Ethiopian cuisine and is much liked.
Mustard oil possesses mild rubefacient properties. It is employed as liniment for rheumatic pains and as a substitute for camphorated oil. The volatile oil of mustard is given internally in colic, in overdoses it is high poisonous. In mild bronchitic affections in children it is used as mild counter-irritant on the chest.