SESAME
sesamum indicum l.
SESAME
sesamum indicum l.
Other Names:
Sesame
,
Joy
,
Haholí
,
Jijirí
.
It is an oleaginous plant cultivated since ancient times. In Mesopotamia, in India, Egypt, China and Greece, their seeds are highly prized as
a
condiment and as exquisite food and
energy
. In the tomb of Ramses III (thirteenth century BC) can be seen in
a
cool as the Egyptians and added to the mass of
sesame
bread. Today remains popular for use in oriental and
American
countries, where even he is prepared with
a
beverage similar to horchata, which took the women to encourage lactation when nursing.
Habitat:
Widely cultivated in the Middle East and India, from where it originates. Currently, its cultivation
has
spread to other regions of tropical and subtropical
America
, Africa and Mediterranean countries.
Description:
herbaceous plant of the
family
of Pedaliáceas, which reaches up to 1. 5 meters in height. Their flowers are white, pink or
purple
. Its fruits are some capsules containing several
cotton
seeds flattened from 2 to 5 mm in length, which are usually
brown
, although there are also white,
red
and black, depending on the variety.
Used parts:
seed.
Properties and indications:
sesame
seeds contain
a
wide variety of nutritious principles of high biological value:
Lipids, or fats (52%) virtually all of them consisting of unsaturated fatty acids, which gives them
a
very effective in reducing the level of
cholesterol
in blood. Among the fats of
sesame
is lecithin,
a
phospholipid (fat
phosphorus
) that plays an important role in our body. It is an
essential
component of nerve tissue, and is also found in the blood, semen and in the bile, and is involved in
sexual
function
gland. Lecithin is
a
powerful emulsifier, which facilitates the dissolution of fat in aqueous
medium
. One of its
functions
in the blood, is to keep dissolved lipids in general, and especially
cholesterol
, thus preventing their deposition in artery walls (
atherosclerosis
) The
sesame
is, along with soya,
vegetable
richer in lecithin.
Protein
(20%) of high biological value, consisting of 15 different amino acids with
a
high proportion of methionine (
essential
amino acid)
Vitamins, especially
E
(
tocopherol
) the
B1
, or
thiamine
(0. 1 mg per 100 g) and
B2
, or
riboflavin
(0. 24 mg per 100 g)
And various trace minerals, especially
calcium
,
phosphorus
,
iron
and
magnesium
,
copper
and
chromium
.
Mucilages to which it owes its mild laxative action.
Given the composition of this small seed, not
strange
that in the eastern countries are regarded as
a
restorer of the
vitality
and the ability of sex. Among its many applications, we note the following:
Nervous
disorders
: mental or
nervous
exhaustion,
stress
, loss of memory, melancholy,
depression
, irritability or
nervous
imbalance;
insomnia
. It is an excellent nutritional supplement for those who are under great mental or intellectual
activity
, and want to maintain
a
good performance.
Physical:
sports training,
pregnancy
, lactation, convalescence after surgery or illness.
Lack of
sexual
performance or capacity, both in men as in women.
Decreased blood
cholesterol
,
arteriosclerosis
, prevention of heart
attack
and
arterial
thrombosis
.
Use:
sesame
seeds can be taken raw or lightly toasted. To do this, first get
a
soaking in water, and after leaving to stand for about 15 minutes, pass through
a
sieve, trying not to pour the fallout. This will remove the
stones
and earth that could contain. The following is toasted in
a
skillet, stirring constantly with
a
wooden spoon to prevent it from burning. It
was
kept in
a
glass bottle. They take 2 or 3 teaspoons of
coffee
after breakfast and after lunch (noon meal)
There are three more traditional forms of the preparation
Sesame
with which also exploit its properties:
Sesame
oil: it can be used like any other
vegetable
oil. It is very stable to rancidity.
Tahini:
very tasty pulp that is produced by grinding the seeds. Replaces preferable to
butter
and margarine.
Gomasio:
pasta made up of about 15 parts of crushed
sesame
and sea salt. It is also an excellent condiment.
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