Sesame oil is the oldest oilseed crop known to man, derived from nutty sweet sesame seeds and domesticated well over 3000 years ago. It’s one of the most widely used base oils in ayurvedic medicine for its amazing ability to penetrate the deepest tissue and accelerates the properties of others substances taken with it – an attribute known as “Yogavahi”.
Sesame oil is a symbol of strength and vigor, it nourishes the skin and calms your nerves. Its luscious and unctuous nature both fortifies immunity and aids in detoxification.
Self-massage with oil
During the autumn and winter months while the weather gets colder and your skin is drying out, sesame oil is the perfect remedy to restore its natural luster and youthful sheen.
For best results warm the oil and massage it into the skin using long strokes downward on your limbs and circular motions on your joints.
Self-massaging with sesame oil is great for reducing pains and stiffness of the muscles, increasing blood flow and improving circulation, stimulating the lymphatic system and also improving collagen production and elasticity of the skin.
Coating your skin with sesame oil is also very beneficial for Calming your mind and nervous system, reducing mental stress and improving your sleep quality.
Great hair, teeth and nails
Sesame oil is multi-faceted and exceptionally healing oil. The deep nourishment that sesame oil offers penetrates to the hair, teeth, and nails and even to the bone.
–Hair: Massage the oil into your scalp for a deep conditioning treatment that also reduces split ends. The oil encourages thick, luxurious hair growth as the richness of sesame oil nourishes your hair follicles and improving circulation to the hair root.
–Oral Care: Place 1 tablespoon of unrefined and cold-pressed sesame oil into your mouth and swish for up to 15-20 minutes. When the sesame oil turns white you’re done. The important thing is not to swallow!
As a detoxicant and anti-bacterial sesame oil greatly enhances dental hygiene with whiter teeth, reduced plaque and tartar, healthier gums, a smoother singing voice, and a cleaner tongue.
–Nails: Applying sesame oil for your nails and the area around them can help them look smooth and fresh, while keeping them from being weak and brittle.
Immune and digestive health
Sesame oil has been known for its immune building properties and ability to treat associated ailments and common skin pathogens due to its antiviral and antibacterial properties. It has also been shown to relieve constipation and generally improve your digestive power as its nourishing properties will feed your digestive system and colon.
Buying and cooking
Sesame has one of the highest oil concentrations of any seed and it is also one of the most stable vegetable oils thanks to its natural antioxidants. Favor cold-pressed, unrefined, untoasted sesame oil for your skin and hair and for cooking. As dressing, the roasted sesame oil will provide a much richer, nuttier flavor but keep in mind that it is less nutritional and beneficial for health.
Properties
Type: Oil
Element: Water
Color: Gold
Taste: Sweet, Astringent, Pungent
Natural Attributes: Oily, Light
Dosha impact: Kapha-, Pitta+, Vata- –
Tissue impact (Vipak): Nourishing
Thermal impact (Virya): Heating
Digestive impact (Agni): easy to digest
Moves energy: Downwards
Channels (Srotas): Opens the channels when obstruction is due to excess contraction and/or dryness
Strength (Bala): Improves strength and immunity
Sturdiness (Ojas) : +
Mind (Manas): Good for intellect, Calming
Feces: Soften
Urine:
Occasion: Autumn, Winter
Nutrient:
Chinese medicine syndromes: Kidney Yang Deficiency, Liver Blood Deficiency
Medicinal properties
- Nourishment (rasa): Nutritive Tonic, Weight gain
- Blood-circulation-liver: Cholagogue
- Muscles: Muscle tonic, Antispasmodic
- Fat: Nourishes
- Bones-joints-tendon-ligaments: Fractures, Analgesic, Antirheumatic
- Nervous system: Analgesic, Nervine
- Reproductive and hormonal systems: Emmenagogue, Galactagogue, Promotes fertility
- Immunity: Anti-microbial
- Vital essence and strength: Builds Stamina, Stimulates energy, Adaptogen
- Mental:
- Skin: Emollient
- Kidney-Bladder:
- Respiratory system:
- Digestive system: Carminative, Laxative
- Cleansing:
Harmful for: Excess heat in the body