Sesame

 Sesame is an herbaceous glandular plant which grows to about one metre high and belongs to the family Pedaliaceae. Archaeological finds have proved that this plant was in use by the great Indus Valley Civilization. The leaves are simple, alternate, oval, often prominently veined beneath. The suberect or drooping flowers, which are 2.5 - 3.2 cm. long, are hairy. Their colour is usually light pink or white. The black, white or red seeds are small and found in flat pods. The seeds have a sharp bittersweet taste. The commercially used gingelly oil is extracted from them and used widely for culinary and medicinal purposes.

MEDICINAL USE:

* Diarrhoea, dysentery, kidney and bladder problems.

* Cholera and acute cystitis or inflammation of the bladder in children.
* Laxative and for the promotion of menstruation.
* Burns and earache.
* Stomachache.
* Rheumatic pains.
* Dandruff.

HOW TO USE:

* The infusion of the fresh leaves is used for diarrhoea, dysentery, kidney and bladder problems.
* The fresh leaves form a bland mucilage when mixed with water. This is used for cholera and acute cystitis in children.
* The cold pressed oil from the seeds works as a laxative and promotes menstruation.
* Applied topically, the oil helps with burns and warm oil introduced into the painful or infected ears checks earaches.
* For stomachache, the oil is used in enema.

* For Rheumatic pains, take a tablespoon of gingelly oil, add to it three teaspoons of black pepper powder. Heat till it chars and use to massage affected area when the oil is still warm.
* For dandruff, grind some sesame leaves and mix it with gingelly oil. Apply this onto the scalp and rinse after ten minutes. Repeat as needed.

PARTS USED:

The leaves, seeds and the oil.

DOSE:

As recommended above.
Normal Dosage For:

Adults: 4 or 5 cups a day.
Aged 6 to 9 years: 2 cups a day
Aged 2 to 5 years: 1 cup a day
1 to 2 years: 1/2 cup a day
Below 1 year: 1/4 or less cup a day

A Useful Table for Quick Measurements:
1 tbsp = 5 grams (green herb)
1 dessertspoon = 2 grams (dry herb)
1 teaspoon = 25 drops
1 cup = 16 tbsp


1 litre = 7 or 8 cups