Sesame oil, 250 ml

100% pure sesame oil /Sesamum indicum/

Cold-pressed. Unrefined.

Internally: 1 tsp – 1 tbsp a day. It can be added to salads, dishes and juices.

Externally: For rubbing into the skin and hair, massage, oil pulling.

Caution! This product is not a medicine! It should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet! Do not exceed the recommended daily dose!

If taken together with medicinal products, consult a pharmacist!

*The effects, methods of use and dosages cited in Botalife's articles and in the leaflets enclosed with each product apply only to Botalife-branded products, for which Botalife guarantees the concentration, purity, quality and origin of the oils.

1. High in antioxidants:Sesame oil contains sesamol and sesaminol – two antioxidants that may have powerful effects on your health. A one-month animal study found that sesame oil supplements protected against damage to heart cells. In the same study, antioxidant activity increased in rats given either about 2 or 5 ml of sesame oil per pound (5 or 10 ml per kg) of body weight a day.

Sesame oil may have similar effects when used topically. One animal study showed that it may reduce cell damage by inhibiting compounds such as xanthine oxidase and nitric oxide, which produce free radicals.

2. Has strong anti-inflammatory properties: Traditional Taiwanese medicine has long used sesame oil for joint inflammation, menstrual cramps, toothache, grazes and more.

Recently, in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that sesame oil may reduce inflammation, which may be one of its main health benefits.

For example, test-tube studies have found that sesame oil reduces inflammatory markers such as nitric oxide production.

3. Benefits for the heart: Well-established research shows that a diet rich in unsaturated fats is good for heart health. Sesame oil contains 82% unsaturated fatty acids. In particular, it is rich in omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat that is essential in your diet and plays an important role in preventing heart disease. Animal studies show that sesame oil may help prevent heart disease and even slow the development of plaque in the arteries. In fact, it may lower cholesterol levels when used instead of oils high in saturated fat. A one-month study in 48 adults found that those who consumed 4 tablespoons (59 ml) of sesame oil a day had a greater reduction in LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides than those who consumed olive oil.

4. May help control blood sugar:Sesame oil may support healthy blood sugar regulation. One study showed that putting diabetic rats on a 6% sesame oil diet for 42 days led to a significant reduction in blood sugar compared with rats not fed the oil. Sesame oil may even play a role in long-term blood sugar regulation.

A study in 46 adults with type 2 diabetes found that taking sesame oil for 90 days significantly reduced fasting blood sugar and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) compared with the placebo group. HbA1c levels are an indicator of long-term blood sugar control.

5. May help treat arthritis: Osteoarthritis affects a considerable part of the population and is a common cause of joint pain. Several rodent studies link sesame oil to improvements in arthritis. In one 28-day study, researchers gave rats the oil in daily doses of 1 ml per kilogram of body weight. Reductions in markers of oxidative stress were found, as well as in arthritis symptoms such as joint pain.

The efficacy of sesame oil in patients with knee osteoarthritis was also measured in another randomised, double-blind, active-controlled clinical study, which evaluated the efficacy of sesame oil compared with diclofenac gel applied externally. 104 participants with osteoarthritis were divided into two groups, and the chosen substance was applied 3 times a day for 4 weeks.

The results showed that topical application of sesame oil was no worse than diclofenac gel at reducing knee pain and improving some measures of knee function.

6. May help heal wounds and burns:Sesame oil can also be used topically for wounds and burns.

Ozone is a natural gas that can be used medically. Its clinical use dates back to 1914, when it was used to treat infections during the First World War. Oils with added ozone – known as ozonated oils – are used topically to treat various skin conditions.

In one study in rats, topical treatment with ozonated sesame oil was associated with higher levels of collagen in the wound tissue. Collagen is a structural protein needed for wound healing. Other studies have shown that topical treatment with sesame oil reduced burn and wound healing time in mice, although human studies in this area are lacking.

The ability of sesame oil to speed up the healing of wounds and burns can probably be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

7. May protect against UV rays (SPF 4): Some research shows that sesame oil may protect against damage from ultraviolet rays. This effect is probably largely due to its high antioxidant content. In fact, it can resist 30% of UV rays, while many other oils, such as coconut, peanut and olive oil, can resist only 20%.

Several sources claim that sesame oil can be a good natural sunscreen with a natural SPF. However, research on its effectiveness for protecting against strong sunlight is limited, so it is best to use a sunscreen.

8. May improve sleep quality: One study showed that dripping sesame oil onto the foreheads of 20 participants during seven 30-minute sessions over 2 weeks improved sleep quality and quality of life compared with a placebo treatment.

9. May improve hair health: The compounds in sesame oil may increase the shine and strength of the hair. An eight-week study found that daily supplements consisting of sesamin and vitamin E improved hair strength and shine. These same compounds also make it good for fighting dry hair and scalp topically.

Make a hair mask: Apply sesame oil to the scalp and gently massage the hair from roots to ends. You can warm the oil beforehand. Leave it on the hair for 20 minutes, then wash as usual. You can massage your hair with sesame oil once or twice a week. This will help moisturise the scalp and hair, strengthen the roots and make the hair more vibrant and shiny.

10. Oral health: Sesame oil is highly recommended in Ayurvedic medicine and by some dental specialists for oil pulling, for whiter teeth, healthy gums, lower levels of plaque and protection from bacteria. Today, various clinical tests have proven the benefits of this procedure, with results such as reduced plaque, fewer aerobic microorganisms in plaque and an overall improvement in the condition of the gums.

In Ayurvedic medicine, sesame oil (til tél) is used for massage, as it is believed to release heat from the body because of its viscous nature when rubbed.

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