For centuries, cold-pressed sesame oil has been revered as a natural elixir, offering a plethora of health and beauty benefits. Dubbed the "Queen of Oilseeds," its rich nutritional profile and therapeutic properties make it a popular choice for body massages and holistic wellness practices. A survey revealed that over 80% of participants felt reduced stress and anxiety after using sesame oil for massage, highlighting its effectiveness in promoting relaxation.
Ancient Roots and Modern Popularity
Sesame oil's history dates back thousands of years, with its first mention in the Vedas, ancient texts from India. Ayurvedic practices have long utilized sesame oil to balance the body’s energies and enhance mental clarity. Today, its popularity continues to grow as more people discover its versatile applications and remarkable benefits. Sesame oil is a vegetable oil derived from sesame seeds and is commonly used as a massage lubricant.
Rich in Essential Nutrients
Sesame oil is packed with essential fatty acids, crucial for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails. Vitamin E, a prevalent fatty acid in sesame oil, acts as a potent antioxidant, protecting the body from damage caused by free radicals. The oil also boasts a wealth of minerals, including magnesium, zinc, copper, calcium, and manganese, each contributing to its therapeutic effects.
Relaxation and Stress Relief
Massaging with cold-pressed sesame oil is a great way to promote relaxation and reduce stress. A study found that regular massages with sesame oil reduced anxiety levels in 75% of participants, demonstrating its effectiveness in stress relief. Tyrosine, a component of sesame seed oil, is directly connected to serotonin activity in the brain. This helps improve a person’s mood by stimulating the release of enzymes and hormones that make us feel happy and relaxed.
Improved Blood Circulation
Another significant benefit of using cold-pressed sesame oil for body massage is its ability to improve blood circulation. Improved circulation delivers more oxygen and nutrients to your cells, promotes quicker healing, and reduces inflammation. Copper, one of the aforementioned nutrients found in sesame seed oil, has been shown to be beneficial for circulation. Copper is required for the production of red blood cells. When a person gets a sesame seed oil massage, the body is doused in the copper nutrient.
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Anti-Aging Properties
Cold-pressed sesame oil is rich in antioxidants, including sesamol and vitamin E, which help fight free radicals that cause skin aging. In fact, a study showed that sesamol, a key component of sesame oil, has significant anti-aging effects, reducing oxidative stress by up to 43%. Regular massages with this oil can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, keeping your skin looking youthful and radiant.
Deeply Nourishing for Skin
One of the main reasons cold-pressed sesame oil is perfect for body massage is its ability to deeply nourish the skin. Unlike other oils, cold-pressed sesame oil for skin doesn’t just sit on the surface; it goes deep into the layers, providing lasting moisture and keeping your skin healthy and radiant. Vitamin E is one of the most prevalent fatty acids found in sesame seed oil. When sesame seed oil is used during a massage, the recipient gets the added benefit of a healthy skin moisturizer that can reduce the appearance of stretch marks and reduce age spots.
Detoxification
Cold-pressed sesame oil has natural detoxifying properties, making it ideal for body massages. When massaged into the skin, it helps to remove toxins and impurities from the body. The oil’s natural detoxifying properties help to cleanse the skin and body, leaving you feeling rejuvenated and refreshed after each massage.
Additional Potential Benefits
Sesame oil's benefits extend beyond relaxation and skincare. Research suggests it may also:
Heart Health
Sesame oil comprises 82% unsaturated fatty acids. In particular, it’s rich in omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat that is essential to your diet and plays an important role in heart disease prevention.
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Blood Sugar Regulation
Consuming sesame oil may help regulate blood sugar levels, especially for those with diabetes. A study in 46 adults with type 2 diabetes found that taking sesame oil for 90 days significantly reduced fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), compared with a placebo group. HbA1c levels are an indicator of long-term blood sugar control (15).
Arthritis Relief
Sesame oil may improve symptoms of arthritis, but research is limited to animal studies at this time. In one 28-day study, researchers gave the oil to rats at daily doses of 0.5 ml per pound (1 ml per kg) of body weight. The rats experienced reduced markers of oxidative stress and arthritic symptoms, such as joint pain (16).
Wound and Burn Healing
Sesame oil is a natural product that may help heal wounds and burns. However, research is limited to rodent studies, and more research in humans is needed. In one rat study, topical treatment with ozonated sesame oil was linked to higher levels of collagen in wound tissue. Collagen is a structural protein necessary for wound healing (21).
UV Protection
While sesame oil may have some ability to repel UV rays, there is limited evidence to support its effectiveness. It’s still best to use sunscreen.
Sleep Quality
One study showed that dripping sesame oil on the foreheads of 20 participants during seven, 30-minute sessions over a 2-week period improved sleep quality and quality of life, compared with a placebo treatment (26).
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Pain Relief
Some studies have shown that a massage with sesame oil may help reduce arm and leg pain (7, 27).
Hair Health
Compounds in this oil may increase hair shine and strength. An eight-week study found that taking supplements consisting of sesamin and vitamin E daily enhanced hair strength and shine (28).
Easy Ways to Incorporate Sesame Oil into Your Routine
Sesame oil adds a delicious and nutty flavor to a wide variety of dishes. It’s a popular ingredient in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine. There are several varieties of this oil, each offering a slightly different flavor and aroma.
- Unrefined sesame is light in color, offers a nutty flavor, and is best used when cooking at a low to medium heat.
- Refined sesame oil, which is more processed, has a neutral flavor and is best for deep- or stir-frying.
- Toasted sesame oil has a deep brown color and delicate flavor that makes it best suited for dressings and marinades.
Here are easy dishes in which you can add sesame oil into your diet:
- stir-fries
- sesame noodles
- marinades for meat or fish
- vinaigrettes
- sauces or dips
Many massage therapists use sesame seed oil because it is easy to store and doesn’t require the heating that coconut oil sometimes needs. The next time you get a massage, ask about the oil that is being used and don’t be afraid to ask for sesame seed oil.