Sesame

Genus: Sesamum
english name: Sesame
latin name: S. indicum

Family: Pedaliaceae
Compounds: manganese, copper, calcium, vitamin B1 and vitamin E (tocopherol). They contain lignans, including unique content of sesamin, which are phytoestrogens with antioxidant and anti-cancer properties.
Parts used: seeds
Properties:
internal uses: it improves blood platelet count and combat anemia; in cases of constipation and, when ground up with water, can be used to treat hemorrhoids.
external uses: the sesam oil, for its chemical structure, can penetrate the skin easily, nourishing and detoxifying even the deepest tissue layers.

The sesame is an annual plant growing to 50 to 100 cm; it comes from Africa and India where sesame has been cultivated since the Harappan period.

Sesame is grown for its oil-rich seeds. The small sesame seed is used whole in cooking for its rich nutty flavour (although such heating damages their healthful polyunsaturated fats), and also yields sesame oil. Chinese cuisine uses sesame seeds and oil in some dishes: dim sum and sesame seed balls; Korean cuisine, uses it to marinate meat and vegetables.