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Introduction to Sesame Seed

Introduction to Sesame Seed

Sesame seeds are small, even oval seeds and these seeds come in different colours, depending upon the variety, including white, yellow, black and red. Sesame seeds are highly valued for their high content of sesame oil, oil that is very resistant to rancidity. The scientific name for sesame seeds is Sesamum Indicum.

Sesame seeds were one of the first crops processed for oil as well as one of the earliest condiments. In India, Sesame has been a major cultivar since the Harappan civilization. This oil is much loved in South India and most of the cooking is done in this oil. It has diverse names in different languages – Til in Hindi, ellu in Tamil, Nuvvulu in Telugu and Tila/raashi in Oriya. Extensively used as a cooking ingredient in the Asian food, the nutritive and preventive properties of these sesame seeds have been accepted worldwide. Sesame seeds are full of zinc, copper, calcium, vitamin B1, magnesium and dietary fiber. These seed offer the most nutritional value when the entire un-hulled seed is used. Sesame oil is non-drying oil, rarely turning stale in hot climates. It is very rich in protein, a polyunsaturated fat used in cooking oils. Non-culinary uses include - an ingredient in soap, cosmetics, lubricants and medicines. In Southern India it is used to daub the body and hair. Currently, the largest commercial producers of sesame seeds include India, China and Mexico.

Whole sesame seed holds about 88 mg of calcium per tablespoon of seeds. A quarter cup of natural sesame seeds provides extra calcium than a full cup of milk. A quarter cup of raw natural sesame seeds has 351 mg of calcium while one cup of whole milk has only 291 mg of calcium. The golden hued thick sesame seed oil, also known as gingelly oil, is a good source of various nutrients, including vitamins, flavonoid, omega-6 fatty acids and phenolic antioxidants.

SESAME SEEDS BENEFITS FOR SKIN

Sesame seeds, is not only a storehouse of antioxidants, but also a rich source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins B and E, calcium, iron, omega-6, magnesium, and phosphorus. These vitamins and minerals play a variety of noteworthy roles in keeping the skin in the pink of health. It can act as moisturizer, emollient, and anti-inflammatory therapy. Sesame oil is known to lock in toxins in the skin and wash them away.

Healthy, radiant skin
Sesame Cooking Oil is truly versatile oil with plentiful benefits from culinary to cosmetics. It’s nourishing oil; one of the most widely used in skin care and has warming and enriching properties that make it popular in massage therapy and aromatherapy for softening and moisturizing skin. Along with healing the bruises, the oil extracted from these seeds render an astonishing level of agility and softness to the skin, thereby keeping it safe from cracks. It can be applied on face regularly to keep it hydrated, clean, and glowing. Rich with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, the oil helps in preventing acne and pimple breakouts.

Massage oil for toddler skin
Massaging infants with sesame oil improves both their growth and post-massage sleep, in comparison to control oils such as mineral oil. Toddler skins are ultra soft and tender, and hence calls for special attention. Massaging the infants with sesame seed oil will build up their bones, at the same time keep the skin hydrated and glowing.

Medication for sunburn
Massaging with Sesame Seed Oil helps in getting rid of the tan from the sun. Besides protecting the skin from ultraviolet rays, the oil also helps in fighting signs of early ageing, including wrinkles. Regular use of sesame oil for skin fights the free radicals, by this means avoiding skin cancer.

Natural anti-inflammatory agents
Sesame Cooking Oil has anti-inflammatory properties which makes it a natural healing agent. The antiseptic properties help in fighting various bacteria, including streptococcus, athlete’s foot fungus and staphylococcus, affecting the skin. A mixture of warm water and sesame seed oil is an effective home remedy for yeast infections.

Detoxification of the skin
The antioxidants present in sesame oil helps in detoxifying the skin. The antioxidants absorb all those water-soluble toxins, thus enabling detoxification.

Remedy for cracked heels
Apply sesame oil before sleeping and wear socks. This must be repeated for some days to get the most soft and supple feet.

SESAME SEEDS BENEFITS FOR HEALTH

Sesame seeds are an excellent source of copper, calcium, dietary fiber, iron, vitamin B1, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, selenium, molybdenum, and magnesium. In addition to these important nutrients, sesame seeds contain two unique substances: Sesamin and Sesamolin (minor components of Sesame Oil). Sesamin and Sesamolin, abundant lignans found in sesame oil, have confirmed to have several bioactivities beneficial for human health. They have cholesterol-lowering effect in humans, and put a stop to high blood pressure and increase vitamin E supplies in animals. Sesamin can also be used as a preventive to protect the liver from oxidative damage. These sesame seeds offer a wide range of health benefits. From preventing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases to promoting bone health, sesame seeds provide a host of health benefits.

Rich source of protein
sesame seeds are inherently blessed with good protein levels. 100 grams of sesame seeds contain 18 grams of protein which makes up to 32% of Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) requirement. A high protein level is one of the key reasons why it could be used as a certain ingredient in the diet.

Thwart diabetes
As mentioned earlier, sesame seeds are good sources of magnesium as well as a variety of other nutrients. All these minerals put together enable sesame seeds to lower the levels of glucose in the blood, thereby thwarting the risk of diabetes. Sesame Cooking Oil is the best for diabetic patients and they can choose Sesame Cooking Oil for cooking.

Treatment for anemia
The sesame seed are a rich source of iron, and is one of the most recommended medications for anemia as well as other iron-deficiency problems.

Prevents cardiovascular disease
Refined Sesame Cooking Oil can help in preventing arteriosclerosis and hence, it is favorable for the heart’s health. Sesamol, an antioxidant present in sesame seeds, shows evidence of antiatherogenic properties that helps to improve cardiovascular health. Sesame seed is rich source of oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid that can lower bad cholesterol and boost good cholesterol in the body, thus preventing coronary artery diseases and heart stroke.

Lesser cholesterol levels
sesame seeds are abundant with Sesamin and Sesamolin – both belonging to the fiber group, lignans. sesame seeds also contain phytosterols, possessing cholesterol-like structures. Hence, including these seeds in the diet could definitely help to do away with high blood cholesterol levels.

Supports bone health
Sesame seeds contain zinc in very good amounts, a mineral that stimulates density of the bones. A deficiency in zinc is linked to onset of osteoporosis. Sesame seeds also contain calcium that is essential for bone health.

Natural anti-cancerous properties
Sesame seeds contain magnesium which has a rich anti-cancerous character. sesame seeds also contain an anti-cancer saturated cyclic acid known as Phytic acid. These ingredients make sesame seeds reduce the risk of colorectal tumors and, even preventing their onset.

Supports Vascular and Respiratory Health
The presence of magnesium in sesame seeds can lower the risk of asthma and other respiratory related disorders by reducing airway spasm.

  • Preventing the airway spasm in asthma
  • Lowering high blood pressure, a contributing factor in heart attack, stroke, and diabetic heart disease
  • Preventing the trigeminal blood vessel spasm that triggers migraine attacks

Excellent for digestive health
Sesame seed helps in good digestive system, as they are good source of fiber. Fiber helps in smoothening the functioning of the intestine, facilitating the flushing out of waste, and thus offering guaranteed relief from constipation.

Treats rheumatoid arthritis
Sesame seed contains copper, the trace mineral which is abundant with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant enzyme systems. These systems possess the power to reduce swelling and pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis. This mineral also strengthens the bones, blood vessels, and body joints.

Maintains oral health
Sesame Oil can help in maintaining oral health by removing dental plaque and teeth whitening. Gargling regularly with sesame seed oil can lower streptococcus mutants present in teeth and mouth saliva.

Natural stress-buster
The antispasmodics magnesium and calcium regulate muscle functioning, while improving nerve impulse transmission. Thiamin, a natural calming agent, helps with good nerve functioning. Sesame seeds also contain tryptophan, an amino acid that helps in serotonin secretion. Serotonin is essential to lower pain and regulate sleep pattern. In short, munching on sesame seeds regularly could actually help you lead a stress-free life.

Improves eye health
sesame seeds is a natural tonic for liver that enables better flow to blood, which, in turn is believed to nourish eyes. These therapeutic effects can also treat blurred vision, tired and sore eyes. Regularly massaging your eye lids with  Sesame Oil could help in erasing dark circles and wrinkles.

On the whole nourishment
sesame seed is known to boost energy levels, nourishes brain, and slow down the ageing process. Consuming these seeds regularly can help combat backache, painful joints, and joints weakness in a better way.

Sesame Seeds Benefits for hair

Sesame seed contain many nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that are required for scalp and hair protection. Sesame oil is also beneficial for the scalp to fight many scalp problems.

Stimulates hair growth
Sesame seeds are full of essential fatty acids – omega-6, omega-3, and omega-9 – all that encourage hair growth. Along with nourishing the scalp and promoting follicular production, Sesame Oil keeps the hair hydrated.

Natural sunscreen for hair
Apply a coat of sesame seeds oil before stepping out into the hot sun to protect hair from the damages caused by ultraviolet rays and pollution.

Improves blood circulation to the scalp
To increase the blood circulation, massage the scalp with warm sesame oil regularly. This acts as a vitamin to feed the hair shafts. Massaging scalp can improve the blood circulation, thereby promoting hair growth.

Prevents scalp problems
Sesame seed contain minerals, vitamins and nutrients that are necessary for the healthy scalp. Massage the scalp with its oil every day to get rid of dryness, flakes, and clogged pores that trigger hair thinning and loss. This also has antibacterial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties to treat scalp infections and soothe the irritated scalp.

Deep conditioning of coloured hair
Sesame oil help in deep conditioning of dry, damaged, split ends or hair that have been chemically treated. It can also restore the moisture and strengthen the hair, thus enabling dull hair regain its bounce, elasticity, shine, and smoothness.

Regain the natural hair colour
The anti-greying properties of sesame seed oil is well-known and that is why it is regularly applied on hair to deepen its natural colour. By massaging a little sesame oil on the scalp and hair, a daily dose of sesame oil can help hair not lose its natural colour.

Treats lice
When used with other essential oils, sesame seed oil can cure head lice. Massage regularly with the oil and rinse off with an herbal anti-lice shampoo for better benefits. Sesame oil has antibacterial properties that will help in keeping fungal and bacterial infections from affecting scalp at bay.

Treats Dandruff
Massage with sesame oil into the scalp with the fingertips combat dandruff.

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