Sesame Seed Oil Benefits: An Ayurvedic Super Healer

I have been introduced to Sesame Seed Oil in my first practical Ayurveda class. Never in life I really used sesame therefore, using the oil did not occur to me. As a student of Ayurveda I was much open to new and exciting ways to heal the body and mind. Therefore when told we are warming up the oil and slathering it (meaning gently massaging it) all over the body – I thought to myself umm – ok I will just go home and shower. Would I smell like Chinese food in between class and my ride back home? Would people in bus give me a weird look? I decided to take a cab.

However the experience was ultra-relaxing and totally changed my life from that very day. I learned there is no one use for this blessed healer but many. When I started working at Health Food stores around Mississauga and Toronto – I became popular amongst the shoppers for teaching the value of using oils for various daily regimes. I think if I had it my way I would open a shop with oils and herbs only.

About the Sesame Seed Oil:

Sesame seed oil in an Ayurvedic Super Healer – meaning the oil is used to make many of the Ayurvedic formulas. The wonder oil is used in multiple ways in to administer in the body. Therefore exploring the benefits of this oil is a must.

Ayurvedic profiling of Sesame Seed Oil:

Ayurvedic Name: Tila (sesame) Tailam (oil)

Part Used: Seeds

Dosha: Vata ↓ (Aggravated PK↑ in excess)

Taste: Sweet

Energetics: Heating

Quality: Heavy, warming, deeply penetrating, nutritive and grounding.

Body System: Sesame seed oil supports the body’s digestive system, nervous system, muscle and skeletal system (bone, nail, hair and skin), and the reproductive system.

Nutrients in Sesame Seed Oil:

Vitamins: Rich in Vitamin A. Also contains Vitamin A, B1 (thiamin)), B6, and K.

Minerals: Magnesium, copper, iron, manganese, calcium, phosphorus, molybdenum, selenium and zinc.

Other: Linoleic acid, alpha-linoleic acid and lecithin. Sesamin and sesamolin in sesame seed comes from a fiber called lignans.

 What kind of Sesame Seed Oil to buy?

Unrefined, cold pressed, extra virgin sesame oil from the first pressing is the best oil you can purchase. Some company will provide detailed information about how the oil was filtered. Therefore choosing lightly filtered sesame seed oil is the best as it retains the aroma from the sesame’s seed, the rich nutty flavor, and nutrients. Cold pressed oils will also contain sesamol and sesamin, antioxidants in sesame that are natural preservatives making it shelf-stable.

Look out for the following before buying the oil

1. Cold pressed or 100% expeller pressed because this is a natural way to process the oil.
2. Unrefined therefore did not go through chemical changes and holds maximum nutrition.
3. Pressed from organic seeds to ensure pesticide and herbicide free crop.

Using Sesame Seed Oil in Daily life:

1. Sesame seed oil is used for cooking.
2. It is also used for full body massage even for babies.
3. Sesame seed oil is used for oil pulling, swishing or gargling. This assists with strong and white teeth and gum.
4. This oil is used as a carrier oil or base oil for preparation of herbal oils in Ayurveda.
5. Sesame seed oil is also used in Nasya treatment in Ayurveda.
6. A few drops of oil can be applied inside the ear.
7. Sesame seed oil is used for skin to maintain lustre.
8. A common for applied on the scalp for nourishing hair, supporting the brain/intellect and the nervous system.
9. Scalp or body massage with sesame seed oil promotes sleep and reduces stress.
10. Internally taken (enema or basti) it works as a colon lubricant.
11. In Ayurveda sesame seed oil is used for Shirodhara, Abhyanga and Head Massages.
12. Sesame seed oil is also used as vaginal douche to maintain healthy reproductive health.

Benefits of Sesame Seed Oil:

1. Increases energy and improves physical strength in the body.
2. Regular use balances Vata dosha by increasing flexibility and joint mobility. Copper in sesame seed helps to reduce pain and swelling in Rheumatoid Arthritis, zinc can maintains bone mineral density and calcium helps to prevent bone loss that can be due to menopause in women.
3. Promotes even skin tone, reduces dryness and maintain lustre when used for body massage. It is a natural skin moisturizer.
4. Balances the nervous system, promotes intellect and reduces stress. A good head massage using sesame seed oil can reduce the chances of headache.
5. The oil is amazing for teeth and gum health as it strengthens the teeth, keeps bad bacteria’s at bay and whitens teeth. In Ayurveda it is also used to heal mouth ulcers.
6. Sesame seed oil also improves and strengthens the digestive power in the body. The calcium in sesame seed oil protects the colon cells from cancer causing chemicals.
7. Using sesame seed oil against diaper rashes is ideal as it prevents the rash caused due to the acidity of the body wastes.
8. Promotes energy after whole body massage as sesame seed oil can protect the body against airborne viruses and bacteria’s. It also penetrates the tissues beneath the skin faster.

How to Properly Use Sesame Seed Oil:

The best way to use sesame seed oil for skin and scalp is when it is slightly warmed. As I am someone who does not own a microwave I do it in one of the following ways

1. I bought a “dip chiller” which I use as a mini ceramic double boiler. I pour small amount of hot water in the bottom part, put the top part and pour the oil.
2. I also own a squeeze bottle where I pour the amount of oil I need and set it on a bowl in hot water.

In both cases in must be ensured that the oil is warm to touch but hot.

Stay in a warm room when applying oil and after completed oil application. Please check my previous blogs on abhyanga, nasya treatment and oil pulling to practice the oil application correctly.

Contraindications

1. Avoid when there is high level of toxicity or Ama present in the body.
2. Avoid if suffering from severe congestion.
3. Avoid if the body temperature is too hot.
4. Not to be used in high Pitta imbalanced.
5. Not to be used if working to reduce obesity.