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SERVING SIZE: 1 tsp SPECIES: Sesamum indicum FAMILY:
Pedaliaceae EAT IN: "There are differing opinions on cooking sesame oil. Ayurvedic cooking doesn't cook anything on high heat - always..." - Kimberly Kubicke,  SEE MORE REVIEWS & COMMENTSAbout the Author: John Immel, How Can This Ayurvedic Food Make You Feel Great?AYURVEDIC ANALYSISDoes your skin appear lifeless and dull in autumn? Colder weather forces your blood to withdraw from the surface of the skin, drying it out. Sesame oil is the perfect remedy to restore your skin's natural luster and youthful sheen. Make this superb skin tonic an essential part of your daily beauty and skin/hair care routine. For best results warm the oil and massage it into your skin. When performing a self-massage, use long strokes on your limbs and circular motions on your joints. Your self massage will not only nurture your body and mind, you will also experience benefits such as:
Sesame oil encourages thick, luxurious hair growth. As the richness of sesame oil nourishes your skin and hair follicles, its warming nature improves circulation to the very root of the hair shaft. Massage this extraordinary liquid into your scalp for a deep conditioning treatment that also reduces split ends. Sesame oil is a multi-faceted and exceptionally healing oil. The deep nourishment that sesame oil offers penetrates even to the bone. Ayurveda knows sesame oil as a bone, teeth, hair and nail tonic. Oil pulling is an ancient method of swishing oil between the teeth that is gaining modern popularity. As a detoxicant and anti-bacterial, sesame oil pulling greatly enhances dental hygiene. Oil pulling is a simple, affordable way to help aid your body's natural detoxification processes. You will notice whiter teeth, reduced plaque and tartar, healthier gums, a smoother singing voice, and a cleaner tongue. Your dentist will notice! Here's how: Place 1 tablespoon of unrefined and cold-pressed sesame oil into your mouth and swish for up to 15-20 minutes. If you simply cannot tolerate the taste of the oil, try adding a pinch of salt. When the sesame oil turns white you're done. To avoid clogging the plumbing, spit the oil into the garbage, not the sink. Please, never swallow! Don't fancy swishing oil? Chew one tablespoon of sesame seeds in the morning to keep your pearly whites clean. You can also sniff a couple of drops of sesame oil into your nostrils, and massage gently. You will find that your usual nasal dryness will not be as noticeable. If you are feeling a little sluggish or irregular in the digestion department, consider adding sesame oil to your diet. Its nourishing properties will feed your digestive system and colon. It has also been shown to relieve constipation and generally improve your digestive power. For some of our cells that require fat to thrive, sesame oil can provide the essential nourishment that you need. Ancient practitioners of Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine believe that sesame oil holds great significance for its immune building properties and ability to treat associated ailments and common skin pathogens. Western science knows it as an antiviral and antibacterial. Sesame oil was the oldest oilseed crop known to man, domesticated well over 5000 years ago. Sesame has one of the highest oil concentrations of any seed, exceeding 50 percent compared to soybean's 20 percent. It is also one of the most stable vegetable oils. Natural anti-oxidants give sesame oil a long shelf life. ABOUT SESAME OILBUYING & PREPARATIONSesame comes in several forms: COOKING SESAME OIL Browse RecipesLearn about the health benefits of Sesame Oil for FREE
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WHY EAT AN AYURVEDIC DIET?Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. An Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body type and the specific imbalances you are working with at any given time. Ayurveda shows you your specific body type’s needs and what should be favored in your Ayurvedic menu. Watch as you eat less but feel more satisfied because what you are eating truly nourishes you. Since Ayurveda believes all disease begins in the digestive tract, food is your first medicine. By eating a healthy diet that’s ideal for your body, you experience optimal health.Is Sesame Oil Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL QUALITIES
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary.
The list of actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.Bone & Joint: Bone Tonic , BONE-TONICAn herb that strengthens the bones and joints.Hair Growth Tonic HAIR-GROWTH-TONICAn herb or formula that encourages healthy hair growth.Energy Vitality Strength: Builds stamina , BUILDS-STAMINAPromotes strength, endurance and resistance in the body. Rebuilds weak tissues after a time of depletion.Stimulates energy , STIMULATES-ENERGYThis category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbsNutritive , NUTRITIVEAn herb that is strengthening and nourishing.Tonic TONICA tonic herb strengthens tissue, often restoring healthy function. Tonics usually target a specific organ, tissue, or system ie: brain, muscle or respiratory tonic.Heart & Circulation: Blood Tonic BLOOD-TONICAn herb that produces more blood cells in the body or otherwise strengthens blood. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency.Immune System: Antimicrobial ANTIMICROBIALAn agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.Liver & Gall Bladder: Livotonic LIVOTONICAn herb that strengthens the liver. It is helpful for people with a history of substance abuse, chronic liver issues from hepatitis and hemolytic anemias.Reproductive Health: Builds Semen , BUILDS-SEMENHerbs that increase the production of semen, often by rebuilding fluids in general.Galactagogue , GALACTAGOGUEIncreases production of breast milk.Promotes Fertility , PROMOTES-FERTILITYAn herb that promotes fertility. Generally used by women who wish to become pregnant. These herbs may also help with menstrual problems of deficiency, such as amenorrhea (lack of a period).Promotes Virility PROMOTES-VIRILITYEncourages virility and potency.Skin Care & Beauty: Emollient , EMOLLIENTsoothes & softens the skinRubefacient , RUBEFACIENTAn herb used topically that causes dilation of the capillaries and an increase in blood circulation. The skin will appear red or flushed.Skin Tonic SKIN-TONICAn herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion.Strengthening-Tonics: Muscle Tonic MUSCLE-TONICHerbs that strengthen and tone muscle tissue. Helpful for people recovering from long term illness and debility, or after a sprain.HEALTH & WELLNESS PRACTITIONERS!(Not you? Keep scrolling!) Eat Well for Life With Ayurveda: Balance Your DoshaHOW DOES EATING AYURVEDICALLY MAKE YOU FEEL?Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. Food digests with ease when right for your body type (dosha). Healthy digestion is seen as the cornerstone of well-being in Ayurveda. Healthy digestion generally prevents illness. If you do get sick, a strong digestive fire reduces the severity of illness and increases your resilience. It also improves your mood. Once you begin eating Ayurvedically, you will feel refreshed, vital and strong.View Other Ingredients for Autumn-WinterSesame Oil is recommended for Autumn-Winter. Check out these other Autumn-Winter foods here.Comments & Impressions of 'Sesame Oil'Do you like 'sesame oil'? Why or why not? What makes it unique? Is there something you'd like to know about 'sesame oil'?
is sesame oil a healthy oil to saute with? does the high heat turn its molecules towards the formation of free radicals?
Wonderful, comprehensive article. I rub warmed sesame oil with a few drops of essential oil added all over my body as directed above before bathing, then sit and meditate for 15 minutes or so, allowing the oil to penetrate my skin. Afterwards, a warm shower and a gentle wash-off with a mild soap. A little oil remains on my skin but not enough to soil my clothes. I use sesame oil in the colder seasons and coconut in the warmer. This daily routine really blesses my day and my health.
There are differing opinions on cooking sesame oil. Ayurvedic cooking doesn't cook anything on high heat - always medium or low.
a traditional home remedy for
This information has not been validated by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.
Reproductive Health Abortion (Past, Recent or Considering), Peri-Menopausal, Small breastsDiet Anorexia, past or currentSkin Cold aggravates, Dryness Aggravates Nasal Passages, Stretch marks, Thin lips, Tight / inelastic skinRespiratory Health Dry Nasal Passages, Ear pain/infection, Ringing earsBlood and Circulation High Blood PressureWeight Loss Lose weight easily, Recent weight loss, Sunken, ribs showingBones Thin hair, Thin, brittle nails, Weak musclesDigestion Vomiting Blood
About the Author John Immel, the founder of Joyful Belly, teaches people how to have a healthy diet and lifestyle with Ayurveda. His approach to Ayurveda exudes a certain ease, which many find enjoyable and insightful. His online course Balance Your Ayurvedic Diet in a Week provides tools for gracefully healing with Ayurveda to thousands. John also directs Joyful Belly's School of Ayurveda , which specializes in digestive tract pathology & Ayurvedic nutrition. John and his wife Natalie recently published Explore Your Hunger: A Guide to Hunger, Appetite & Food.John's interest in Ayurveda and digestive tract pathology was inspired by a complex digestive disorder acquired from years of international travel, including his public service work in South Asia. John's commitment to the detailed study of digestive disorders reflects his zeal to get down to the roots of the problem. His hope and belief in the capacity of each & every client to improve their quality of life is nothing short of a personal passion. John's creativity in the kitchen and delight in cooking for others comes from his family oriented upbringing. In addition to his certification in Ayurveda, John holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Harvard University. John enjoys sharing Ayurveda within the context of his Catholic roots, and finds Ayurveda gives him an opportunity to participate in the healing mission of the Church. Jesus expressed God's love by feeding and healing the sick. That kindness is the fundamental ministry of Ayurveda as well. |
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