When most people think of sesame seed oil, their mind drifts to things like Asian cuisine or cooking. But sesame seed oil has been used for thousands of years for more than just cooking. Sesame seed oil was first mentioned in the Vedas, which is a large body of texts originating in India. Sesame seed oil is a vegetable oil that is derived from sesame seeds and it is commonly used as a massage lubricant, like coconut oil. And just like coconut oil, sesame seed oil has many health benefits. Sesame seed oil is sometimes referred to as the Queen of Oils because of its many uses and health benefits. Here’s a small sampling of why sesame seed oil is so amazing.
Sesame seed oil is made up of a variety of fatty acids. Fatty acids are essential for the health of our skin, hair and nails. 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. Vitamin E also has antioxidant properties that can prevent aging.
Another reason many massage therapists utilize sesame seed oil is because it can help fight aches and pains. Sesame seed oil is high in nutrients such as magnesium, zinc, copper, calcium and manganese. All of these nutrients improve bone health and density, while also reducing swelling and inflammation.
Sesame seed oil has been shown to reduce anxiety. 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. So getting a sesame seed oil massage can actually relieve depression and anxiety after a hard day or week.
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. The absorption of the extra copper into the skin and eventually the blood stream, means that the body can function at optimal levels and the circulation within the body can be maximized.
One last benefit of sesame seed oil is that it is cooling to the skin. This can be especially important if you are suffering from a sunburn. While most people don’t think of getting a massage when they are sunburnt, it actually can be quite helpful at releasing the toxins in the skin and the use of sesame seed oil has been shown to reduce the inflammation and temperature of a sunburn.
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. Your body will thank you for giving it the healing benefits of the tiny sesame seed.
