Herbal Encyclopedia

Common Medicinal Herbs For Natural Health

  • Herbs
  • Modes of Use
    • Compresses and Lotions
    • Creams
    • Decoctions
    • Electuaries
    • Essential Oils
    • Fomentations
    • Gargles and Mouthwashes
    • Glycerites
    • Liniments
    • Medicinal Milks
    • Mustard Plasters
    • Oil Infusions
    • Ointments and Salves
    • Poison Ivy Lotions
    • Poultices
    • Powders and Capsules
    • Vapor Balms
    • Steam Inhalations
    • Syrups
    • Tinctures and Vinegars
    • Toothpastes
    • Water Infusions
    • When To Gather Herbs
  • Scientific Names

Sesame

Botanical Names

  • Family Pedaliaceae
  • Sesamum indicum
  • Sesamum orientale

Common Names

  • Sesame Seeds, Oriental Sesame, Beniseed, Gingelly, Hei Zhi Ma (Chinese)

Cautions

  • None listed.

Description

Native to Africa, this erect annual grows to six feet, producing lance-shaped to oval leaves, white, pink, or mauve flowers and oblong seed capsules housing many small grayish seeds. It is now cultivated worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions. The main seed-oil producing countries are India, Sudan, Burma, and China. The root is unearthed in the summer, while the seeds are gathered after the capsules have turned brownish-black.

History

Sesame was one of the plants found in the tomb of Tutankhamun (1370-1352 BCE).

In ancient Egypt, the seeds were eaten; and the oil pressed from them used to burn in lamps and to make ointments.

The seeds have been eaten in India and China for thousands of years.

Key Actions

  • nutritive
  • lubricant
  • stimulates breast-milk production
  • lowers blood sugar levels
  • raises levels of stored carbohydrates (glycogen)

Key Components

  • nutritious oil (55% comprising mainly of unsaturated fats each of oleic and linoleic acids [35-50% each], palmitic acid [7-12%], and stearic acid [3-6%])
  • protein (26%)
  • vitamins B, E
  • minerals (especially calcium)
  • lignans
  • steroids

Medicinal Parts

  • Seeds, seed oil, root

Traditional Uses

Long used as a food, sesame is also a healing remedy, especially for burns.

It has long been used to redress “states of deficiency” in China, especially those affecting the liver and kidneys.

The seeds are prescribed for such problems as dizziness, blurred vision (if caused by anemia), and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).

Because of its lubricating effects, it is used to treat dry constipation.

The oil is beneficial to the skin and is often used as a base for cosmetics.

It has the ability to stimulate breast milk production.

Root decoctions are used to treat coughs and asthma.

Filed Under: S

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Pages

  • Modes of Use
    • Compresses and Lotions
    • Creams
    • Decoctions
    • Electuaries
    • Essential Oils
    • Fomentations
    • Gargles and Mouthwashes
    • Glycerites
    • Liniments
    • Lip Balms
    • Medicinal Milks
    • Mustard Plasters
    • Oil Infusions
    • Ointments and Salves
    • Poison Ivy Lotions
    • Poultices
    • Powders and Capsules
    • Steam Inhalations
    • Syrups
    • Tinctures and Vinegars
    • Toothpastes
    • Vapor Balms
    • Water Infusions
    • When To Gather Herbs
  • Online Herbal Encyclopedia of Knowledge
  • Scientific Names

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For educational purposes only.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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