Menu:
Sesame
The seeds from the sesame herb are among the most commonly used globally, especially in the Middle East, where the sesame foods tahini and halva originated. In the United States, sesame seeds are often used in breads or on bread crusts. The sesame herb is a versatile one and its seeds can be eaten raw, dried, or roasted or cooked with all kinds of foods; however, in recent times, its value is increasingly being recognized as something that provides additional amino acids, therefore healthy for the human body.
Medicinal value of Sesame
Sesame seeds come from little seed pods of one of the oldest of cultivated plants and are highly regarded in the Middle East where they are revered as the seeds of immortality. The seeds are rich in oil-over 55 percent-and this oil is very useful since it contains 20 percent protein and important vitamins, A and E and most of the B vitamins except B12 and folic acid. It is abundant in mineral value too and contains a high Zinc content, as well as calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium value. Those persons that avoid cow's milk benefit from the intake of sesame as its seeds are an excellent source of calcium. The only downside being that since the phosphorus content is much higher; sesame is not so good for bone support. Herbalists claim that sesame seeds also have a mild antioxidant effect, possibly because of their vitamin E content or some other factors.
Remedies that work: curative nature of sesame
Sesame is believed to have 3 main varieties in seeds-black, white and red, with the black one yielding best oil and also most suited for medicinal purposes. The white variety of sesame is used to treat calcium deficiency while the red one, rich in Iron makes up for the lack of this mineral in the diet. Sesame seeds are used as skin softening agents and even as nourishing tonics and laxatives. Sesame oil has high medicinal value and in ancient India, it is considered one of the best oils because of its fine flavor and high boiling point. For health purposes, this quality indicates that minimal molecular restructuring takes place in sesame oil due to its high boiling point. Sesame seeds are used in the form of sweet meats or ground to a paste with water and clarified butter to treat Piles; a poultice of the seeds when applied externally helps treat ulcers, burns and scalds. The Black variety of sesame is used as an emulsion after soaking in warm water for a couple of hours, straining and grinding them to finally mix with a cup of milk and sweetened jaggery to anemic persons. Dysentery and diarrhea problems are also cured with sesame seeds as are respiratory and menstrual disorders.
Sesame storage
Unrefrigerated seeds should be kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to three months, refrigerated up to six months or frozen up to one year.