HEALTH BENEFITS OF SESAMUM INDICUM- A SHORT REVIEW

Sesamum indicum is the primary source of sesame oil. Sesame has one of the highest oil contents of any seed. Sesame (S. indicum L.) is originated inIndia. Sesame seeds have been widely employed in culinary as well as traditional medicines for their nutritive, preventive, and curative properties.Sesame is an important source of phytonutrients such as omega-6 fatty acids, flavonoid phenolic anti-oxidants, vitamins, and dietary fiber withpotential anti-cancer, as well as health promoting properties. Sesame seeds have been widely employed in culinary as well as traditional medicines fortheir nutritive, preventive, and curative properties. Sesame is an important source of phytonutrients such as omega-6 fatty acids, flavonoid phenolicanti-oxidants, vitamins, and dietary fiber with potential anti-cancer, as well as health promoting properties. The antimicrobial effectiveness of Sesameoil and its products against bacterial and common skin infection are seen. Sesame oil contains vitamin E in abundance along with vitamin B complexand vitamin A which helps nourish and rejuvenate skin. Sesame oil is also very beneficial in the cure and prevention of acne due to its oil pullingproperties. Studies show the presence of carboxylic acids and phenolic groups in essential oils especially some of the most potent antioxidants suchas sesamol, sesamolin, and sesamin. The decoction of both leaves and roots has been found to be effective against chicken pox and measles (anti-viral)and used as hair shampoo for Taenia capitis. Hence, the following review is done to understand the pharmacological action of sesame oil.Keywords: Sesamum indicum, Antioxidants, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-microbial, Anti-pyretic