Sesame is one of the most widely used Ayurvedic medicines. If sesame seeds were not there, I would say, 40 % of Ayurvedic formulas would have been non-existent. Sesame is used in multiple dosage forms – powder, paste, oil, in the form of sesame recipes. The wonder herb is used in multiple ways through different routes of administration. Externally, internally, orally, over the eyes, nasally, rectally etc. It is high time that we explore the sesame benefits.
Sesame facts:
Botanical name: Sesamum indicum Linn. Ayurvedic Name: Tila.
Sesame synonyms: benne seed, til, sim sim, abongra, Hu ma, Zhi ma, Sesamzaad, Cham kkae,Sesamo, Shiro goma, Semilla de ajonjolí, Sesam, Sésamo, Sezam indyjski. Graines de sesame, Sésame blanc.
Indian Synonyms of sesame: Tila, Til, Ellu, Tara, Gumbulu etc.
Used parts:Sesame Seed, oil and whole plant. The whole plant is used in the preparation of special Ayurvedic medicine called Tila Kshara.
Sesame oil composition: Sesame is rich in Vitamin E. Hence acts as a natural anti oxidant. It also contains Vitamin K. Sesame contains magnesium, copper, calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamin B6.
Sesame benefits:
Ayurveda details: Master Sushruta enlists Ayurvedic properties of Sesame with the following terms. All these terms can be attributed to sesame seed benefits or benefits of sesame oil. -
Dantya - Good for teeth. Hence sesame is used in three ways for good teeth.
- Advised for chewing.
- Its paste is kept at the place of tooth ache.
- sesame oil is used for oil pulling.
In conditions like tingling of the teeth, weak teeth, and disease of the mouth caused by Vata imbalance, water mixed with sesame seed paste is held in the mouth for 3 – 5 minutes. It is called as Gandusha treatment. (Reference)
Pathya - One of the things to be taken regularly. Hence sesame oil is one of the widely used oil for cooking in the Indian household.
Agni janana – Improves digestive power.
Medha janana – Improves intelligence.
Vranashodhana – Cleanses wounds.
- Sesame is made into the form of paste is traditionally applied over wounds for quick wound healing.
- Sesame oil is used for oil pulling to heal mouth ulcers.
- Sesame oil is processed with many herbs having wound healing property to prepare wound healing oils.
Twachya, Balya, Keshya – Improves the quality of skin and hair. Improves overall strength. If you ever wish to do a massage with some oil, please consider sesame oil. Sesame oil is used as the base for most of the herbal oils.
Sesame calms Vata and increases Kapha and Pitta.
Sesame oil is an excellent laxative.
Sesame oil is an excellent skin moisturizer and skin softener.
Sesame oil is a safe oil for massage of babies and children. It helps to strengthen the bones, muscles and joints.
Sesame oil is used for massage, Shirodhara, etc procedures which help to calm the mind and induce deep relaxation and helps to have natural sleep and relieves headache.
various uses of sesame –
- Sesame oil is used in Ayurveda for food preparation, massage, oil pulling.
- Sesame oil is used as a base to prepare many medicated oils which are used in panchakarma procedures like Basti.
- Sesame paste is used for internal administration and also for application over wound.
- Oil prepared with Sesame oil base is used for nasal installation, as ear drops etc.
- Sesame seeds are used in various food recipes.
Ayurvedic medicines with Sesame oil as ingredient:
90 % of the herbal oils of Ayurveda are prepared with Sesame oil base.
Sesame oil is also used as ingredient in many herbal jams like Kalyanagulam
Disclaimer: None of these statements are approved or validated by US Food and Drug Administration. They are yet to wake up to sesame oil benefits. You do not need a lamp to see the Sun. 
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A simple tip: If you use sesame oil for massage, better to follow it up with hot water bath. It helps to calm Vata, and also to get rid of oil from skin. The gap between the massage and bath can be half an hour to many hours. Longer the gap, better the effect.
Is Sesame oil the best for cooking?
Can not be said as the best. But it is one of the good oils for cooking.
Thank you…very informative.
Can we eat sesame seeds in summers and how much?Is this a good source of calcium? Please give details?
Having Sesame seeds in summers is not very recommendable to everyone, because, Sesame is hot in nature. Yes, it is a good source of calcium.
thanks for your insight on sesame oil. Will massaging with sesame oil cause body hair growth or make the complexion dark ?
sesame oil massage neither promote body hair growth, nor it would make the complexion dark.
Rather, sesame oil will help in improving blood circulation to the skin and tissues, and help remove dead skin cells and improve skin quality and texture.
whether Oral intake of sesame oil in the empty stomoch for free motion is advisable
For the purpose of free motion, there are many other herbs and medicines, than sesame oil.
can sesame oil be taken orally mixed with warm soup and if so how much for a day
Yes, it can be taken, if you are accustomed to it.
I would say, not more than 5 ml can be taken daily, by a healthy person. Depends on personal health aspects.
I heard that oil pulling with sesame or sunflower oil is an
old Ayurvedic traetment. Is it so? if yes could you tell me about it?
Yes. oil pulling is one of the daily routines, recommended by Ayurveda. I will write about it in near future.
dear sir, please let us know, if you have any articles related to Oil pulling.
Does oil pulling cleanses blood and removes toxins from the body ?
Dear sir, a detailed article is coming up shortly.
Ayurveda explains two types of oil pulling. – Full mouth and half mouth. You can find Ayurvedic reference and some details here –
http://www.learningayurveda.com/2013/04/25/oral-ear-and-head-therapy-ashtanga-hrudaya-sutrasthana-22/
Very nice article. Could you please answer my query?
My body appears hot most of the times, when it is so i feel not good, if somebody touches my hands they ask me why your body is hot? lips also get dry. Can I apply sesame oil on my body to bring it to normal? how frequently can I do this?
Thanks in advance
Srinivas
Dear Mr Srinivas,
Coconut oil application would help more than sesame oil.
Try this very easy to prepare coriander drink
Hello Sir,
I am pregnent(7th month),is it good to use sesame oil for the body massage?till the due date?
2.My feets ands palms are always hot,which is uncomfertable,so is that a good idea to use sesame oil for the body massage in this situation?
3.In pregenecy is that good to take the above drink you have mentioned?
During pregnancy, sesame oil can be used for body massage, but massage should be very mild and gentle. But care should be taken while massaging stomach, chest and back areas. I would only recommend just gentle application in these areas. The general feeling of hot palms and feet will go away naturally. Do not bother taking the coriander drink.
hi
sesame seeds is very best seeds
i want to sesame oil how can purchase
If you are in India you can easily get it in local store.
is it best for premature ejaculation???
There are many good herbal medicines and techniques to resolve premature ejaculation.
Dear Sir,
I just had an ACL reconstruction surgery & Arthroscopy. Will the sesame oil help if I use it to massage around my knee?
Yes it will help but I would rather suggest to consult an Ayurvedic doctor and get a more suitable massage oil.
i am loosing hair on forehead area i started eating black and white sesame i have gastritis will it be a problem and tell me a easy way to eat row sesame
I do not think there is a relationship between losing hair and eating sesame. You may also use sesame in food articles, apart from eating it raw. regards
Does sesame seeds and oil help in reduction of high BP. If yes then how many spoons should be consumed?
Yes it helps. Ideally one – 2 spoons of sesame seeds is more than enough per day.
Along with it, regular exercise, salt, oil, non veg diet restriction, Yoga, Pranayama, avoiding junk food and aerated drinks are other ways to get the BP under control. Having said that it is best to consult your doctor for regular BP monitoring and advice.
thanks for your help .
I use sesame oil for curries and tadkas. Can I use it while planning for pregnancy.
Sure. why not!
Thank you sir.
Thanks for those informations,can you tell me about the benefits of sesame leaves.regards
Sesame leaves are used to treat diarrhea, dysentery and cholera.
which oil is gd for cooking til oil or olive oil as my cholestrol level is high
Olive oil is better.
if i apply sesame oil on body and go for sea bath is it any benefit for my body?
Yes it would benefit. Due to Sun exposure, the benefits of sesame oil will be enhanced.
Thank you for such a beautiful and very helpful post
I wanted to ask does sesame oil applied on face and neck will give a soft and supple skin with natural skin glow…i mean my skin has tanned and its texture has become very rough will it help in giving natural texture to skin…and can i use at night as a moisture or can i use for the whole day too …and it is necessary to take hot bath everyday as i am going to apply sesame oil or natural water temperature is fine
Application of sesame oil help in softening hair ?…
Daily application of sesame oil helps to soften skin and hair. Yes, it improves glow.
You can use it in night, in very small quantity. Just a thin layer of application is good.
You can wash off with normal water also, but warm water is just a better choice.
i have probelm of piles last i years sesame oil is benefit for me
I suggest you to consult an Ayurvedic doctor for complete treatment of piles. You can take Sesame oil.
Does Sesame oil prevent hair fall? Can i apply sesame oil for hair at night time & How much should i apply for hair & skin?
Yes it prevents hair fall. You can apply at night. Just as any hair oil quantity is good enough. For body, around 5 spoons of oil is good enough for a self massage.
Very good information.. My query is Can we apply sesame oil directly to body(face also) or we have to mix it with any other oil?How much quantity of oil is good enough to whole body, are there any restrictions like not to use more oil at a time??
Yes, you can directly apply sesame oil directly to body and face. No need of mixing anything.
if you are applying to whole body, around 15 – 30 ml should be good enough, based on the surface are of body.
It is better to have hot water bath after 30 minutes after oil massage.
Oil massage is not indicated during fever, indigestion and initial stages of rheumatic disorder. Read more here on this – http://easyayurveda.com/2010/12/27/ayurvedic-massage-tips-when-not-to-go-for-massage/
Thank you so much.. Another thing is after oil massage can we use soap for bath or specifically we have to use only herbal bath powder??Will this massage tightens the skin?
You can use soap also.
Massage will help to increase skin tone and to get rid of wrinkles to some extent.
is sesame oil beneficial for breast enlargement?
Yes, to some extent.
Is sesame oil cures Psoriasis? I am suffering with Dandruff for 20 years now, i have used many shampoos (Expensive ones included) regularly but works only for the day. I am not sure if its a dandruff or Psoriasis. I have purchased Sesame seeds from a store and processed pure for Oil. I am not sure if it is a Cold Pressed or not. Can this oil cures Psoriasis/Dandruff. thanks & regards,
I would say, it helps in relieving dandruff / psoriasis to some extent but it might not alone cure it. Consult an Ayurvedic doctor for a detailed check up.
I have purchased Sesame seeds from a store and processed pure for Oil. I am not sure if it is a Cold Pressed or not. Can i use this oil for face and hair without knowing what kind of process? Thanks
Yes, you can surely use it, irrespective of its method of processing. No problem. For external application, it does not make much of a difference.
thanks
MASSAGING SESAME OIL ON HAIR REVERSES GREY HAIR ???????
Chances are minimal. Applying an amla hair oil would be a better try.
Learn how to make amla hair oil by yourself – http://easyayurveda.com/2012/04/18/how-to-make-hair-oil-at-home-with-amla/
in which season we can use it ?
In all seasons, you can use it.
can we use it to control premature ejaculation. If yes than please tell how.
There are better herbs and medicines in Ayurveda for premature ejaculation. Please consult an Ayurvedic doctor.
you are advised me to contact with some other doctor than how we can get help from you. Please kindly you tell us some better medicine for controlling premature ejaculation.
If you want my email consultation, then please note that it is a paid service. Rs 250 or USD 7 for one month. Payment options – http://easyayurveda.com/donate
Once you make the payment, I will get in touch with you by email.
However, please note that consulting an Ayurvedic doctor directly is a better option.
I have got a lot of mouth ulcers due to eating of raw garlic and dalchini which was advised by a naturopath for total health fitness. Can seasame oil help in reducing the ulcers or please advise any other remedy
coconut oil local application over the ulcers is more beneficial than sesame oil.
Sir is Sesame oil hot…i and many believe it s cold and apply for oil bath so that it cools the body…Can u suggest oils which are very cooling and good for pitta…
Sesame oil is slightly hot. Coconut oil is coolant. It is good for Pitta.
Hello Dr. Hebbar, I have tried sesame oil pulling and can vouch for its effectiveness for post nasal drip and phlegm accumulation. I have observed that on daily practice, there is a nauseating feeling for a while (1-2 weeks). Several people attribute this to “toxin released into the bloodstream”. Does Ayurveda subscribe to this theory? Maybe there are herbs that can help with toxins/ uneasy feeling, Neem? Manjistha?
Some people feel nausea just because of the smell of sesame oil. Over a period of time, as one gets accustomed, the nausea goes away. Like some have opined, expelling of toxin might also be a reason for nausea.
A small piece (1 gram) of edible camphor added to a cup of oil might help resolve this issue.
Highly valuable suggestions .
i think my sperm to be thin how can i make thick means to boost spermcell.iam unmarried and age 30
Try this recipe – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwSbXh0ER4M