Sesame seed oil is also called the “queen of all oils”. It is used for centuries as healing oil. In the Vedas of ancient India, it was mentioned as perfect for humans. It contains a natural antibacterial property that combats common skin pathogens like streptococcus and staphylococcus and skin fungi like athlete’s foot fungus. It is a natural antiviral, anti-inflammatory agent.
Sesame Oil is a vegetable based, edible oil extracted from sesame seeds. Aside from being used in cooking applications in South India, it is also used as a flavor enhancer of Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, Korean, Chinese and Japanese cuisines. It has a distinct nutty aroma and taste. The oil is also popularly used in alternative medicine in traditional massages to modern day treatments. It is popular in Asia and is one of the earliest known oils based from crops. Its mass production worldwide continues to be limited due to the inefficient manual harvesting process in extracting the oil.
Sesame Oil Benefits
Sesame Oil benefits include:
- Boosts dental health
- Promotes healthy hair
- Helps in treating depression and anxiety
- Reduces risk of osteoporosis
- Helps in improving bone growth
- Aids in reducing age spots
- Protects against heart attacks, strokes and atherosclerosis
Sesame Oil Uses
- Sesame Oil as Skin Moisturizer. You can apply Sesame Oil on the skin to retain its softness and smoothness as well as prevents wrinkles and lines from appearing. You could add a few drops to warm bath water. This will help treat painful, cracked heels as well as dry elbows and knees. The oil helps to soothe burns and prevent skin disorders.
- Sesame Oil for Removing Toxins from the Mouth. The oil is recommended for oil pulling. A few drops are swished around in the mouth without swallowing. It helps retain loosened teeth and cleans toxins from the mouth.
- Sesame Oil as Natural Sunscreen. You can apply a liberal amount of Sesame Oil all over the face and body as a natural sunscreen. You will have to reapply as the oil is easily removed after heavy perspiration or after jumping into the water.
- Sesame Oil as Skin Detoxifier. Sesame Seed Oil molecules will attract toxins and pollutants present on your skin. Apply an ample amount of Sesame Oil on the skin and allow it to stay for about 15 minutes. Rinse with warm or lukewarm water.
- Sesame Oil as Booster for Hair and Scalp Health. Massage Sesame Oil onto the hair and scalp to keep it shiny and strong. It is efficient in relieving dry scalp, hair loss and dandruff.
Sesame Oil Side Effects
Like all seeds and nuts, Sesame Oil can induce an allergic reaction. The incidence is very rare though at 0.1% of the population. There are reports of sesame allergy spreading in developed nations in the 21st century and the allergic mechanism from the oil exposure is thru contact dermatitis, which probably resulted from hypersensitivity to the lignin-like compounds.
Before adding Sesame Oil to your diet, consult a doctor if you are taking medications for blood-thinning or anticoagulants. Sesame Oil lowers the blood pressure and thins the blood. Combining it with these medicines may be lethal.
How to Use Sesame Oil
- In cooking. Sesame Oil is a pale, yellow liquid with a pleasant odor that is grain like and nutty taste is commonly used as frying oil. The second type of oil, which is amber in color and aromatic, is made from toasted and pressed sesame seeds. Though popularly used in ethnic cooking, it is not suitable to use as cooking oil because it burns easily. Instead it is added as a flavoring agent in the final stages of cooking. It is popularly included in dishes originating from Asia, particularly China and Korea, and India.
- Traditional uses. It is used in Ayurvedic Medicine as massage oil believed to rid the body of heat during its vicious rubbing nature. It is used to massage the scalp and hair. It is also used in several cosmetic applications including as carrier oil.
- Industrial uses. The low grade oil is used in the manufacture of paints, soaps, illuminants and lubricants. It is also used as solvent in intravenous drip solutions and injected drugs, cosmetics carrier oil, and coating stored grains for prevention of weevil attacks. The oil is synergized with some insecticides.
How to Make Sesame Oil
Sesame Oil is extracted from seeds through the cold press method. You will need an expeller press and low temperature. This is the most preferred method for Sesame Oil since it is also used in food preparations. Cold pressing first extracts juice from the sesame seeds and the oil is naturally separated – it floats to the top.
Sesame Oil Recipe
Homemade Extraction
Materials
- ¼ cup sesame seeds
- 1 cup sunflower oil or peanut oil
Procedure
- Toast the seeds in a frying pan or inside a pan placed over a stove. You can also place the seeds on a baking sheet and place it in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F.
- After 5 minutes, remove seeds from heat. Stir and reapply heat for another 10 to 20 minutes. Once they turn brown and produce a nutty aroma, remove the baking pan. Transfer to another plate to cool down quicker.
- For every ¼ cup of toasted sesame seeds, mix with 1 cup of sunflower seed oil. Mix in a pan, and heat gain on a stove on medium heat for several minutes. You can replace sunflower oil with peanut oil.
- Remove the pan from the stove and pour the mix into a blender. Blend until seeds are fine. Allow the mixture to sit for 2 hours.
If the seeds are mixed with peanut oil, it becomes a paste-like form. It will take 45 minutes before the mixture produces Sesame Oil.
- Pour the mix into an empty bowl that is covered with cheesecloth. If you are using peanut oil, skip this process. The method prevents small pieces of seeds from falling into the bowl. After 45 minutes, blend the mixture of sesame seeds and peanut oil. The oil will naturally settle at the top. Use a spoon to scoop the oil.
- If you are using sunflower oil, the extraction will take place after 2 hours.
- Store the oil in an airtight jar. Place the jar in the refrigerator; it will last a long time.
Simple Honey and Soy Dressing
Materials
- 2 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- 4 tsp Sesame Oil
- 2 tsp fresh coriander, chopped
Procedure
- Just mix all the ingredients together and serve as a dressing for salad or the main dish.
Where to Buy Sesame Oil
You can buy Sesame Oil for skin use at online stores like Amazon, Alabama, the Vitamin Shoppe, eBay and at grocery stores.
More Information on Sesame Oil
Patients suffering from chronic disorders may appear to get worse in the beginning of the treatment using Sesame Oil. Dr. Karach emphasizes that the worsening of the condition may be signs the disease is in its healing process. It is best to consult your doctor first before trying any oil therapy using Sesame Oil. It is not a substitute for qualified health treatments. Any serious symptoms that develop during the treatment must be seen by the doctor to determine if it is worsening the condition or it is part of the healing process.
