Sesame is a plant and an herb.
- botanical information
- origin
- history
- part used
- nutritional information
- magick correspondences and uses
- base oil
- health care
- Chinese herbology
- external skin care
botanical information:
Botanical name: Sesamum orientale or Sesamum indicum
Botanical name: Sesamum indicum is black sesame
Use the botanical name when ordering seeds (bulbs, etc.) or when looking up information in the library. Common names vary by nation, culture, and region, and sometimes the same common name is applied to different plants.
Common English name: sesame, beni (Sesamum orientale), beniseed, benneseed, sesame seed, black sesame seed (Sesamum indicum)
Chinese name: hu ma
French name: sésame
Indian name: gingelly, til
Japanese name: goma, koba
Portuguese name: gergelim
Spanish name: ajonjoli, sésamo
origin:
Origin: possibly Africa or India
history:
History: Sesame was one of the ingredients mentioned in the Eber’s Papyrus. The Eber’s Papyrus (from between 1600 B.C.E. and 1550 B.C.E.), was discovered by German Egyptologist Georg Ebers in 1874 C.E. The Eber’s Papyrus is the oldest known complete medical textbook in existence. Most scholars believe that it is copy of a much earlier text, probably from around 3100 B.C.E. The Eber’s Papyrus includes information on surgery and internal medicine, including a list of more than 800 drugs.
Sesame oil was used by the Assyrians before 600 B.C.E.
Sesame was listed among many aromatic plants in a scroll of cuneiform from the great library at Nineveh. The library at Nineveh was established by King Ashurbanipal of Assyria (668-633 B.C.E.).
part used:
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Part Used: Seed. Information courtesy of Mountain Rose Herbs |
nutritional information:
Black sesame seeds are a food that helps nourish the kidneys.
Sesame seeds are a very good source of protein.
Sesame seeds are a spice that increases sexual energy and enhances fertility.
A 2007 study showed that “low plasma selenium is independently associated with poor skeletal muscle strength in community-dwelling older adults in Tuscany.” That is, low selenium levels may cause muscle weakness. The study conducted by the Tuscany regional Agency (Florence, Italy), John Hopkins School of Medicine (Baaltimore, Maryland), Azienda Sanitaria Firenze (Florence, Italy), Laboratory of Epidemiology, Demography and Biometry, National Institute of Aging (Bethesda, Maryland), and Longitudinal Studies Section, Clinical Research Branch, Natinal Institute on Aging(Blatimore, Maryland) and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 86, No.2, pages 347-352, August 2007.
Sources of selenium include Brazil nuts, sesame seeds, legumes, and meat.
See also Chinese herbalism below for Chinese gender and Chinese flavor.
magickal correspondences and uses:
Magickal substitutions: Rosemary usually may be safely substituted for any herb in magick spells and rituals. Roses may safely be substituted for any flower.
base or carrier oil:
Base Oil: Sesame oil (Sesamum indicum) can be used as a base (or carrier) oil for aromatherapy.
Aroma: Medium; sweet, nutty.
Texture: Mildly thick; leaves an oily film on skin.
Color: Light yellow.
Notes: May overpower aromatherapy blends; best used dilluted with other carrier oils.
health care uses:
Health Notice: Attempting to be an amateur doctor is potentially dangerous to your health. This web page is not professional medical advice. Nothing on this website should be considered as a substitute or replacement for professional medical advice. Persons should seek the advice of qualified health providers. Self-medication should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care. Please confirm all self-medication with your doctor or health care professional. See the article on healing for recommended healers.
traditional medicine:
Traditional Medicine: While many traditional practices have been scientifically verified, some are now known to be dangerous. Seek the advice of qualified health care providers.
Traditional medicinal uses: Sesame was one of the ingredients mentioned in the Eber’s Papyrus. The Eber’s Papyrus is the oldest known complete medical textbook in existence. Most scholars believe that it is copy of a much earlier text, probably from around 3100 B.C.E. Sesame was listed among many aromatic plants in a scroll of cuneiform from the great library at Nineveh. The library at Nineveh was established by King Ashurbanipal of Assyria (668-633 B.C.E.). Note that not all traditional medications are effective or even safe.
Chinese herbalism:
Chinese gender: (for black sesame seed) neutral
Chinese flavor: (for black sesame seed) sweet
external care:
External skin care: Sesame oil in Great Skin Firming Night Cream: “Works by increasing your skin’s vitality and sealing in moisture. With collagen to restore elasticity and Vitamin E for healing. Deeply penetrates to prevent excess dryness. With sesame oil, olive oil, apricot kernel oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, squalene, kakui nut oil, aloe vera, Vitamin E, lemon balm, comfrey, sage, marigold, marsh mallow, teaberry, jasmine, cucumber, Vitamin A, and Vitmin D. Firming night cream is a heavy moisturizer that deeply penetrates the skin and will prevent excess dryness. This therapeutic vitamin and moisturizing treatment increases the skin’s vitality and seals in the moisture, augmenting skin’s resilience. Contains collagen which restores elasticity, and vitamin E which helps in healing the skin. Nourishes the skin as it firms. Apply before bedtime after cleansing and toning.” Great Skin Firming Night Cream
External skin care: Sesame seed oil in Stri-Vectin SD: “Studies show that 93% of women experience a measurable reduction in the appearance of stretch marks using StriVectin-SD. But women (and men) are also using this product with great success to erase fine lines, wrinkles, and crow’s feet on the face, producing firmer-looking skin. Apply sparingly three times daily to clean skin (do not exceed three applications per 24-hour cperiod). Vigorously massage into target area, using a circular motion, until completely absorbed. Includes Sesamum Indicum (Seseame) Seed Oil.” Stri-Vectin SD
Some herbs may be poisonious under some conditions. Exercise appropriate care.
Wild gathering: Avoid wild gathering. Some plants are endangered species. Some plants can be toxic just by touch. Even experts can make deadly misidentifications of wild plants. Please grow your own herbs in your own goddess garden (or window boxes).
See also: herbs.
using 
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