- Sesame oil
Sesame oil (also known as "gingelly oil" or "til oil") is an edible
vegetable oil derived fromsesame seed s. Besides being used as acooking oil inSouth India , it is often used as a flavor enhancer in Taiwanese, Korean, andSoutheast Asian cuisine.Composition
Sesame oil is composed of the following
fatty acid s: [cite web
url=http://www.essentialoils.co.za/sesame-oil-analysis.htm
title=Fatty acids found in sesame oil
publisher=Essential oils
accessdate=2006-10-07]History
Sesame seeds were one of the first crops processed for oil as well as one of the earliest condiments. In fact, the word ennai that means oil in Tamil has its roots in the Tamil words eL(எள்ளு) and nei(னெய்), which mean sesame and fat.
Prior to 600 BC, the
Assyrians used sesame oil as a food, salve, and medication, primarily by the rich, as the difficulty of obtaining it made it expensive. Hindus use til oil in votive lamps, and consider the oil sacred. According toHindu belief, lighting lamp filled with til oil in front of LordHanuman removes obstacles and difficulties in life. [cite web
url=http://www.asiafood.org/glossary_2.cfm?wordid=2814
title=Glossary Term - Sesame Oil
publisher=Asia Source
accessdate=2007-01-08]Nomenclature
In the
Tamil language of India, Sesame Oil is called "Nalla Ennai"(நல்லெண்ணெய்), which literal translation in English is "good oil". In theTelugu language of India, Sesame Oil is called "Nuvvula Noone" ("Nuvvulu" means sesame and "Noone" means cooking oil) or "Manchi Noone" ("Manchi" means good and "Noone" means cooking oil). In theKannada language of India, Sesame Oil is called "yellenne" (from "yellu" for sesame). It is also called as Gingelly Oil in India.Manufacture of sesame oil
Manufacturing process
The extraction of sesame oil from the sesame seed is not a completely automated process. In the fairy tale “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” the sesame fruit serves as a symbol for wealth. When the fruit capsule opens, it releases a real treasure - the sesame seeds. However, a great deal of manual work is necessary before this point is reached. That is why sesame is hardly ever cultivated in Western industrialised agricultural areas. [ [http://www.graigfarm.co.uk/grocoils.htm#SESAME%20OIL Graig Farm Organics - What We Offer > Our Range > The Grocery > Organic Cold-pressed Oils ] ]
The sesame seeds are protected by a capsule, which does not burst open until the seeds are completely ripe. The ripening time tends to vary. For this reason, the farmers cut plants by hand and place them together in upright position to carry on ripening for a few days. The seeds are only shaken out onto a cloth after all the capsules have opened.
The discovery of an indehiscent (nonshattering) mutant by Langham in 1943 began the work towards development of a high yielding, shatter-resistant variety. Although researchers have made significant progress in sesame breeding, harvest losses due to shattering continue to limit domestic US production. [ [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/afcm/sesame.html Sesame ] ]
esame seed market
As of 2007, sesame is being imported into the US at a price of US$0.43/lb. This relatively high price reflects a world-wide shortage. Though the market for sesame seed is strong, domestic US production awaits the development of high-yielding nonshattering varieties. It is advisable to establish a market before planting.
Varieties
There are many variations in the colour of sesame oil: cold-pressed sesame oil is almost colourless, while Indian sesame oil (gingelly or til oil) is golden and Chinese sesame oil is commonly a dark brown colour.
East Asian sesame oil derives its dark colour and flavour from toasted hulled sesame seeds. Cold pressed sesame oil has less flavour than the toasted oil, since it is produced directly from raw, rather than toasted seeds. Sesame oil is traded in any of the forms described above: Cold-pressed sesame oil is available in Western health shops. In most Asian countries, different kinds of hot-pressed sesame oil are preferred. [ [http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/Sesa_ind.html Spice Pages: Sesame Seeds (Sesamum indicum) ] ]
Uses
Cooking
Sesame oil carries a premium relative to other cooking oils and is considered more stable than most vegetable oils due to antioxidants in the oil. [ [http://www.jeffersoninstitute.org/pubs/sesame.shtml Growing Sesame: Production tips, economics, and more ] ] Sesame oil is least prone, among
cooking oil s, to turn rancid. This is because it has a very high boiling point. In effect, sesame oil retains its natural structure and does not break down even when heated to a very high temperature.Fact|date=June 2008Sesame oil is most popular in Asia, including the South Indian state of
Tamil Nadu , where its widespread use is similar to that ofolive oil in the Mediterranean.Body massage
Sesame oil is reputed to penetrate the skin easily, and is used in India for oil massage. [ [http://www.boloji.com/ayurveda/av011.htm Bliss at your Fingertips by Vasu Nargundkar ] ]
Hair treatment
Applying sesame oil to the hair is said to result in darker hair. It may be used for hair and scalp massage. [ [http://www.boloji.com/ayurveda/av030.htm Hair and Scalp Massage by Shreelata Suresh ] ] It is believed to reduce the heat of the body and thus helps in preventing hair loss
Food manufacture
Sesame oil is used in the manufacture of pickles. [ [http://www.pasumark.com/uses.html Template ] ] Refined sesame oil is used to make
margarine in Western countries.Drug manufacture
Sesame oil is used in the manufacture of
Ayurvedic drugs. [ [http://www.pasumark.com/uses.html Template ] ]Worship
Sesame or Til oil is used in brass or silver lamps kept in front of gods and goddess of
Hindus . Sesame oil is used for performingpuja inHindu temples. [ [http://www.pasumark.com/uses.html Template ] ]Industrial uses
In industry, sesame oil may be used as:
* a solvent in injected drugs or intravenous drip solutions,
* a cosmetics carrier oil,
* coating stored grains to prevent weevil attacks. The oil also has synergy with some insecticides. [ [http://content.herbalgram.org/iherb/HealthyIngredients/default.asp?h=Sesame+Oil HerbalGram: The Journal of the American Botanical Council ] ]
Alternative medicine
Vitamins and Minerals
Sesame oil is a source of
vitamin E . [ [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/07/26/earlyshow/health/main631719.shtml Cooking Oils That Are Good For You, From Sesame To Grapeseed What You Need To Know - CBS News ] ] Vitamin E is an anti-oxidant and has been correlated with lowering cholesterol levels. [ [http://www.clinchem.org/cgi/content/full/44/8/1753 Correlations between Cholesterol, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K1 in Serum: Paradoxical Relationships to Established Epidemiological Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease] ] As with most plant based condiments, sesame oil contains magnesium, copper, calcium, iron, zinc and vitamin B6. Copper provides relief for rheumatoid arthritis. Magnesium supports vascular and respiratory health. Calcium helps prevent colon cancer, osteoporosis, migraine and PMS. Zinc promotes bone health.Besides being rich in Vitamin E, there is insufficient research on the medicinal properties of sesame oil. However, the following claims have been made.
Blood pressure
Sesame oil has a high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids. [ [http://www.treelight.com/health/nutrition/KimchiHealthy.html Kimchi Healthy ] ]
It is suggested that due to the presence of high levels of
Polyunsaturated fat ty acids in sesame oil, it may help to control blood pressure. It could be used in cooking in place of other edible oils and to help reduce high blood pressure and lower the amount of medication needed to control hypertension. [ [http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2003-04/aha-soh042803.php Sesame oil helps reduce dose of blood pressure-lowering medicine ] ]Sesame oil is unique in that it has one of the highest concentrations of
omega-6 fatty acids . At the same time, the oil contains two natural-occurring preservatives,sesamol andsesamin . Therefore, sesame oil is the only oil which has a high percentage of polyunsaturates and also keeps at room temperature. (Comparatively, olive oil also keeps at room temperature, but is predominately composed of the omega-9 monounsaturated oil.)The effect of the oil on blood pressure may be due to polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), and the compound sesamin – a
lignan present in sesame oil. There is evidence suggesting that both compounds reduce blood pressure in hypertensive rats. Sesame lignans also inhibit the synthesis and absorption of cholesterol in these rats.Oil pulling
Sesame oil is one of the few oils recommended for use in
oil pulling . [ [http://www.ayurveda.com/online%20resource/daily_routine.html The Daily Routine by Vasant Lad, MASc ] ] (sunflower oil is the other oil recommended).tress and tension
Various constituents present in the sesame oil have anti-oxidant and anti-depressant properties. Therefore proponents encourage its use to help fight senile changes and bring about a sense of well-being. [ [http://www.ayurveda-herbs.com/31.htm Hair Loss Cure For Baldness Remedy Treatment Brahmi Oil Herbs ] ]
Adherents for its therapeutic use reports claims of feeling better than when not using it.
General claims
While not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (
FDA ), sesame oil is reputed to have a number of therapeutic uses.As with cure-all claims of other folk and therapeutic medicines, it is suggested that regular topical application and/or consumption of sesame oil should mitigate effects [ [http://www.positivehealth.com/article-view.php?articleid=1104 The Therapeutic Value of Sesame Oil] ] of anxiety, nerve and bone disorders, poor circulation, lowered immunity and bowel problems. It is suggested such use would also relieve lethargy, fatigue and insomnia, while promoting strength and vitality, enhancing blood circulation. There are claims that its use has relaxing properties which eases pain and muscle spasm, such as sciatica, dysmenorrhoea, colic, backache and joint pain. There are claims similar to other therapeutic medicines, that its having antioxidants explains beliefs that it slows the aging process and promotes longevity.
It is suggested that sesame oil, when consumed and/or topically applied, should relieve dryness both externally and internally. Sesame oil is sometimes recommended to alleviate the dryness associated with menopause. [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2603/is_0006/ai_2603000655 Sesame oil | Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine | Find Articles at BNET.com ] ] It is believed that its use "restores moisture to the skin, keeping it soft, flexible and young looking". It is suggested that it relieves "dryness of joints" and bowels, and eases symptoms of dryness such as irritating coughs, cracking joints and hard stools. Since "dryness of joints" is not a medically classifiable condition, it would be difficult to medically comprehend or verify these claims of panacea.
Other uses include as a
laxative , as a remedy for toothaches and gum disease [ [http://www.idhayam.com/sesameoil/07.html Idhayam ] ] and in the treatment of blurred vision, dizziness, and headaches. [ [http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/ncnu02/v5-153.html Food, Industrial, Nutraceutical, and Pharmaceutical Uses of Sesame Genetic Resources ] ]It is suggested that sesame oil could be used in the treatment of dry nose, reduction of cholestrol levels (due to presence of Lignans which are
phytoestrogens ), anti-bacterial effects, and even slowing down certain types of cancer(due to the anti-oxidant properties of the Lignans). [ [http://www.youthingstrategies.com/med_refs.htm Youthing Strategies Medical References ] ]Adverse effects
Sesame oil is not known to be harmful when taken in recommended dosages, though the long-term effects of taking sesame-derived remedies (in any amount) have not been investigated. Due to lack of sufficient medical study, sesame oil should be used with caution in children, women who are pregnant or breast-feeding, and people with liver or kidney disease.
Because of its laxative effects, sesame oil should not be used by people who have diarrhea.
No more than 10% of a person's total caloric intake should be derived from polyunsaturated fats such as those found in sesame oil, according to the
American Heart Association . [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_g2603/is_0006/ai_2603000655/pg_2 Sesame oil | Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine | Find Articles at BNET.com ] ]Oil massage should be avoided immediately after administering enemas, emetics or purgatives, during the first stages of fever or if suffering from indigestion. [ [http://www.positivehealth.com/article-view.php?articleid=1104 The Therapeutic Value of Sesame Oil] ]
People who are allergic to Peanuts are likely to be more susceptible to Sesame allergy. Allergy to Peanuts is one of the most common allergies, and can lead to anaphylactic shock which can be fatal. Persons allergic to Sesame seeds should be cautious about using Sesame oil.
References
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