Sesame Seed Oil

Sesame Seed Oil is also known as gingili oil or till oil, which is an edible vegetable oil with yellow color derived from sesame seeds. It is used in salad oils, as margarine, shortenings and a wide range of other food products. Besides, it is used as cooking oil in South India, a flavor enhancer in Chinese, Korean. Sesame seed oil is also popular as carrier oil found in aromatherapy, skin care and massage oils. You can even find sesame seed oils in cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, lotions and also suntan lotions. Referred to as benne in China, it is one of the most wide used oils available for cooking. Used for over 5000 years, the Chinese would utilize the oil in cooking only by dripping or sprinkling a little bit on soups or dishes which would release a beautiful fragrance and flavor to even the most dullest dishes. China was not the only famous culture that utilized Sesame Seed oil. It has been used extensively in India as healing oil. Sesame oil is used for massage and health treatments of the body (abhyanga and shirodhara) and teeth (oil pulling) in the ancient Indian ayurvedic system. Ayurveda views sesame oil as the most viscous of the plant oils and believes it may pacify the health problems associated with Vata aggravation. Sesame oil is said to be good for controlling high blood pressure, gastric, cholesterol and other health-related problems. 

This oil is sometimes found to be strong smelling by some, yet is a good source of vitamins E and B complex and minerals such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Sesame oil further contains protein as well as lecithin. Although it is a thick oil, it is used for eczema, psoriasis as well as older and mature skin and it contains excellent moisturizing properties. In folk medicine it has also been used to help fade blemishes. It is best mixed with another carrier oil, such as Almond or Grapeseed to make it a bit lighter. Sesame massage oil has great moisturizing, soothing and emollient qualities which makes it a good choice to include when mixing a massage oil or preparing a carrier oil blend. Sesame oil has some sun screening properties but should not be used as a sun screen preparation, unless in an emergency. Since it is a good source of vitamins and minerals we find it to be a good oil to use in a blend when preparing a massage base oil. 

TYPICAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF SESAME OIL

FATTY ACIDS                  RANGE

Palmitic C-16:0                   7.0 to 12.0%

Palmitoleic C-16:1              Trace to 0.5%

Stearic C-18:0                    3.5 to 6.0%

Oleic C-18:1                      35.0 to 50.0%

Linoleic C-18:2                  35.0 to 50.0%

Linolenic C-18:3                Trace to 1.0%

Eicosenoic C-20:1             Trace to 1.0%

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