Sutrasthanam, ch. XLVI: Kusumbha, linseed and mustard (Sarshapa)

Kusumbha seeds are pungent in taste and digestion, and reduce the deranged Kapham. They are extremely unwholesome, owing to the fact of their being imperfectly digested. Linseed (Atasi) has a sweet taste, is heat-making in its potency, and pungent in digestion. It generates the Pittam and subdues the Váyu. White mustard (Shveta Sarshapa) is pungent in taste and digestion, strong and heat-making in its potency. It gives rise to a condition of parchedness in the system, and diminishes the Váyu and the Kapham. An excessive and continuous use of white mustard may bring on an attack of hæmoptysis. The properties of red mustard seeds are similar to those of the white species.