Many Asian people have used sesame oil for cooking. In addition to having a distinctive aroma and taste, it turns out that oil sesame also has health and beauty benefits.
Sesame oil is a vegetable oil derived from sesame seed extract. The oil which is known by the nickname "queen of the oilseedDue to its high resistance to oxidation, it is believed to provide a number of health and beauty benefits for the skin.
Sesame oil contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids which contain oleic acid, palmitic acid and linoleic acid. This oil also contains vitamin E, vitamin K, and two forms of antioxidants called sesamin and sesamol. The content of saturated fat in sesame oil is also relatively low.
Benefits of Sesame Oil for Health
The use of sesame oil as an alternative material that has long been carried out by Asian people is not without reason. Some of the benefits of sesame oil for health are summarized below, namely:
- Lowering high blood pressure
In addition, sesame oil also contains two chemicals that have unique characteristics, namely sesamol and sesamin. Both have strong antioxidant properties. According to experts who researched this, the effects of these two antioxidants are also thought to play a role in lowering blood pressure because they help relax blood vessels.
- Good for heart health
Sesame oil itself is categorized as one of the cooking oils that are beneficial for heart health. Small-scale studies show that regular consumption of sesame oil can reduce the risk of coronary artery blockage, but further clinical research is needed to confirm this.
- Supports wound healingThe benefits of sesame oil can also be applied to wound healing, including minor burns (eg, sunburn). The content of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial in it can help the wound recovery process.
Research shows that the use of sesame oil can also reduce pain when there is injury or inflammation, inhibit the effects of skin aging, and reduce the risk of skin cancer.
Unfortunately, clinical research to support this has not shown consistent data, so the use of sesame oil to treat skin problems other than wounds is still in doubt.
Benefits of Sesame Oil for Beauty
The benefits of sesame oil for beauty can not be separated from the nutritional components contained in it. In addition to medicine and diet, sesame oil is also produced and packaged into various beauty products, ranging from skin softeners to soaps. Here are some of the benefits:
- Sesame oil can be used as a massage oil, because of its moisturizing properties which are good for the skin.
- Sesame oil is antibacterial which can fight germs that often attack the skin, such as Staphylococcus and Streptococcus, as well as the skin fungus that causes water fleas or tinea pedis.
- Protects skin from ultraviolet radiation.
- Sesame oil, especially that made from black sesame, can be used to darken hair.
Are There Possible Allergies to Sesame Oil?
In addition to the various benefits of sesame oil above, it is recommended to use this oil more carefully. This oil may cause mild allergic reactions, such as hives and rashes, to severe allergic reactions or anaphylactic reactions.
An anaphylactic reaction occurs when the body's immune system releases immune-forming substances that can cause a drastic drop in blood pressure (shock) and narrow airways. The sufferer will experience shortness of breath, which can lead to death.
If you want to use sesame oil for health or beauty purposes, be sure to do an allergy test first. Apply a little sesame oil on your skin to see how your body reacts to this oil. If an allergic reaction occurs, it is not recommended to use sesame oil, either for application or for consumption.
