Benefits of Sesame Oil for Health and Beauty

Many Asian people have used sesame oil for cooking. Besides having a distinctive aroma and taste, it turns out sesame oil also has benefits for health and beauty. Sesame oil is vegetable oil derived from sesame seed extract. The famous oil with the nickname "queen of the oilseed" because of its high resistance to oxidation, is believed to provide a number of health and beauty benefits to 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 health benefits of sesame oil are summarized below:

• Reduces high blood pressure

The benefits of sesame oil are believed to reduce high blood pressure. This is based on the reason that the oil is rich in polyunsaturated fats that are good for cutting cholesterol levels. 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 examined this, the effects of the two antioxidants are also thought to have a role in reducing blood pressure because it helps relax blood vessels.

• Good for heart health

Fat is not always bad. Several types of fat are needed by the body to increase energy, support cell growth, and protect body organs. In addition, fat is also useful in helping the absorption of nutrients, hormone formation, and helps the body stay warm. The problem is that many people do not understand healthy sources of fat. Sesame oil itself is categorized as a cooking oil that is beneficial both for heart health. Small-scale research shows that regular consumption of sesame oil can reduce the risk of formation of heart arteries, but further clinical research is still needed to confirm this.

• Supports wound healing

The benefits of sesame oil can also be applied for wound healing, including minor burns. The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties in it can help the wound recovery process. Research shows that the use of sesame oil can also reduce pain when injuries or inflammation occur, 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 are also inseparable from the nutritional components contained in it. In addition to treatment and diet, sesame oil is also produced and packaged into various beauty products, from skin softeners to soaps. Here are some of the benefits:

• Sesame oil can be used as a massage oil, because its moisturizing properties 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 skin fungi that cause water fleas or tinea pedis.
• Protect skin from ultraviolet radiation.
• Sesame oil, especially those made from black sesame, can be used to blacken hair.

Is There a Possibility of Allergy Due to Sesame Oil?

In addition to the various benefits of sesame oil above, the use of this oil is advised to be more careful. This oil may cause mild allergic reactions, such as itching and rashes, to severe allergic reactions or anaphylactic reactions. Anaphylactic reactions occur when the body's immune system releases immune-forming substances that can cause blood pressure to drop dramatically (shock) and the airways to narrow. Sufferers will experience shortness of breath, which can lead to death. If you want to use sesame oil for health and beauty purposes, be sure to do an allergy test first. Apply a small amount of sesame oil to the skin to see the body's natural reaction to this oil. If an allergic reaction arises, it is not recommended to use sesame oil, either to be smeared or consumed.