Sesame

Origin: India

Family: Pedaliaceae
Scientific Name: Sesamum indicum

Folk Names: Benne

Magical

Element: Fire
Day: Sunday
Planet: The Sun
Zodiac: Leo
Deities: Artemis, Ganesh, Hekate

Parts used: Seeds

Magical Properties: Money, lust, fertility, happiness, protection

Substitutions: Sunflower seeds

Magical Uses

Aromatherapy

Part Used: Seeds
Extraction Method: Cold-pressed
Flash Point: 255°C

Perfume Use: Base oil
Shelf Life: 6-12 months
Scent Description: Sweet, nutty scent

Active Constituents: Linoleic acid (41% of total), oleic acid (39%)

Topical Use

Skin Types: Dry/combination skin
Absorption Rate: Medium/fast
Viscosity: Light

Properties: Emollient, soothing and healing, good for dry skin, great for hair and nails.

Notes: Sesame oil is high in antioxidants and vitamin E. Best used in a blend, up to 50%.

Warnings:

Botanical

Type: Flower
Plant Height: 50-100cm
Leaves: Opposite, lance shaped leaves, larger at the base (14x5cm) and smaller up the them (4x1cm)
Flowers: Tubular flower, 3-5cm long, in white, blue, or purple
Fruit: Rectangular capsules 2-8cm long and 0.5-2cm wide, filled with tiny seeds, which split open and scatter seeds when ripe/dry

Etymology: From the Greek sesamon, which is derived from the words for ‘oil’ or ‘liquid fat’ in a number of Semitic languages.

In the Garden

Type: Annual
Sow: Spring
Light: Full sun
Water: Drought-tolerant once established
Soil: Well-drained, fertile soil

Tips: