Open Sesame
Spectacular properties of sesame seed and a few easy recipes to help incorporate them into your everyday routine.
Sesame (Sesamum indicum) is a flowering plant in the genus Sesamum, belonging to the family Pedaliaceae. Sesame is an annual plant cultivated for its edible seeds, which grow in pods. The famous phrase "Open sesame," refers to the sesame seed pod, which bursts open when it reaches maturity, producing over 100 seeds per pod.
Sesame seeds are an important part of Makar Sakranti, the Indian festival that marks the transition of Sagittarius to Capricorn. According to tradition, sesame seeds were blessed by Lord Yama, the God of Death, and are referred to as the seeds of immortality. It is said they can keep the body warm in winter months.
Health benefits of Sesame
Vitamins, minerals & fiber
Sesame seeds are high in vitamin K2, which has anti-carcinogenic, anti-calcification functions, decreasing risk of cancer , atherosclerosis and increasing bone density. The seeds are also high in calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc, phosphorous, vitamin B1 & B6 and they are a good source of fiber.
Sesamin, one compound found within the seeds, has been known to prevent oxidative damage in the liver and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Fertility
According to legend, women of ancient Babylon ate a mixture of sesame seed & honey (Halva) to preserve youth and beauty, while men ate the same mixture for strength and energy.
Sesamin has been shown to boost male fertility. Men who ate sesame seeds for 3 months, showed a higher sperm count and higher motility. Eating sesame seeds can also benefit women by helping to relieve menstrual issues, and help in maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
Reducing anxiety & blood pressure
The calcium and magnesium in the seeds can help relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Sesame also contain the vitamins thiamine and tryptophan which boost the production of serotonin and promote good sleep.
Anti-inflammatory and Immune system benefits
Vitamin E, zinc, copper, selenium and B-vitamins are all important in supporting healthy immune function. The lignans contained in the seeds have an antioxidant effect on the body, preventing chronic disease.
Components of sesame seeds can be extracted and used as a natural antioxidant in foods to prevent spoilage, potentially replacing synthetic, carcinogenic preservatives such as BHA and BHT.
Thyroid health
Sesame seeds are very high in selenium, a micronutrient critical to healthy thyroid function. Of all organs in the body, the highest concentration of selenium is found in the thyroid gland and it is essential to converting thyroid hormone into its usable form.
The seeds are not the only useful part of the plant!
This ayurvedic site shows some interesting uses for the sesame plant including…
Deactivating the effects of venomous bites
Treating menstrual cycle disorders
Curing indigestion, cough and eye disorders
preventing premature graying of hair.
oral health benefits
Recipes
Sesame Peanut Butter
When looking to add sesame to your diet, nut & seed butters are a great place to start. Sesame seeds are higher in fiber and lower in sugar than peanuts so adding them to your peanut butter can give it a healthier boost.
Hydrogenated Cotton Seed Oil (aka Crisco) is lurking in many nut butters on the market and not only is it NOT FOOD but it is loaded with pesticides and neurotoxic hexane. Sadly, it is very common in many processed grocery store items and almost all fast food restaurants cook with it because of its very high smoke point. Typically peanut butters contain cottonseed, soybean, rapeseed oils and added sugar - but it’s so easy to make your own without those unnecessary additives!
1 lb Peanuts
1 lb Sesame Seeds
1/2 tsp salt
Roast the peanuts on a cast iron pan or equivalent in the oven at 350F for 30 minutes, do the same with sesame seeds but for only 10 minutes.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
Blend the sesame seeds in a food processor until smooth. Add the peanuts with the sesame into the processor and blend until smooth.
It’s very important to blend the sesame seeds first because they take much longer than peanuts. If you put them in at the same time the result will be peanut butter with whole unblended sesame seeds in it.
Easy Sesame Halva
First make sesame butter: Roast 1 lb sesame seeds in the oven on 350 for 10 mins, remove from heat and allow to cool. Blend in a food processor until smooth with a pinch of salt. Add equal parts of the sesame butter and raw honey and mix well. Enjoy on its own or add to ice cream, brownies, pancakes, yogurt, etc. Store in a jar in the refrigerator. It’s quite loose at room temperature and solid in the fridge.
There are more advanced ways of making this treat, by heating up the honey to very high temperatures to crystalize it and give it a candy-like texture but I personally prefer the raw form, it’s much healthier.
Sesame milk
Find the recipe here.
Sesame granola/ cereal
Find the recipe here.
Enjoy!
~Julia Cloud
Been putting sesame oil on my face/body lately, and drinking a small amount and really feeling good about it. Was also thinking about that expression "open sesame" and its significance! Thanks for this!