1. Description:
Sesame (scientific name: Sesamum indicum Linn., also known as benne, Chinese Pinyin: Zhi Ma, Simplified Chinese: 芝麻, 脂麻, 胡麻, 油麻, 方茎), is a species of annual erect flowering herbaceous plant in genus Sesamum (sesame family, Pedaliaceae). Originated from Africa and widely naturalized in tropical regions around the world, the plant can grow up to 150 cm tall. Sesame is used as analgesic, tonic and discutient (reducing swelling), in traditional Chinese medicine (CTM) and widely adopted in treating different diseases and health problems, such as hematuria and high blood pressure.
2. Odour, Properties And Channels:
Sesame is considered to have sweet, neutral and nontoxic properties and to be associated with the kidney, liver, lung and spleen meridians.
3. Uses, Health Benefits of Sesame & Medical Formulas:
3.1 Hair Growing
Smashed Selliguea griffithiana root mixed with sesame oil is applied externally to help grow hair.
3.2 Reducing Inflammation, Swelling And Relieving Pain
Smashed sesame is taken with ginger juice to relieve lumbar and foot pain.
Ointment made with magnetite, ramuli lonicerae, yellow lead (Chinese: 黄丹, 铅丹) and sesame oil can be patched to treat various swelling and inflammation.
3.3 Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss
A decoction of fucklandia rhizome (cut in small pieces and soaked in vinegar) and sesame oil is used externally to cope with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL, commonly known as sudden deafness).
3.4 Skin Health
Red dates (pits removed), ferrous sulfate and sesame oil can be used to heal ear blisters.
Powdered Lemmaphyllum microphyllum, calomel and sesame oil are mixed and applied externally to treat head sores.
A mixture of powdered red coral and sesame oil can be applied externally to heal skin burns.
The patch form of medicine made from vermilion, aged lime, rosin (also called colophony or Greek pitch, it is a solid form of resin obtained from pines, Chinese: 松香) and sesame oil can be used to treat chronic, open and non-healing sores.
3.5 The Excretory System
A decoction of sesame and chastetree fruit is taken before meal to treat stranguria.
3.6 Gynecological Diseases and Disorders
Ointment made with processed calamine, senegalia catechu (孩儿茶) and sesame oil can be applied to heal erosion of vulva.
Fried sesame mixed with salt are taken orally to treat low breast milk supply.
4. Contraindication, Side-effects & Cautions:
Administration with caution for people with chronic enteritis and impotence.
The Ben Cao Medical Book (also known as Compendium of Materia Medica or Ben Cao Gang Mu; Chinese: 本草纲目) is the most famous and comprehensive medical book ever written in the history of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Compiled and written by Li Shi-zhen (1518~1593), a medical expert of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) over 27 years.
The Ben Cao Medical Book records and describes all the plants, animals, minerals, and other objects that were believed to have medicinal properties in TCM. The book reflects the pharmaceutical achievements and developments of East Asia before the 16th century. On the basis of his predecessors’ achievements in the pharmacological studies, Li contributed further by supplementing and rectifying many past mistakes and misconception in relate to nature of many medicinal substances and causes of various illnesses. Charles Darwin, originator of the biological theory of evolution, regards the book as the “ancient Chinese encyclopedia”.
Disclaimer: The Ben Cao Medical Book is translated by ChinaAbout.net . The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of CTM knowledge and information from the research and experience from the author Li Shi-zhen. Kindly be alert that the CTM knowledge and ancient formulas given above are likely NOT medically proven and may contain misconceptions.