How Black Sesame Seeds Can Benefit You
If you ever go to Hong Kong or Japan, do you notice how the locals appear to have hair more shiny and skin that glows? Apart from their relatively healthy diet and less sun damage, I believe this has a lot to do with the emphasis on food medicine in these cultures. Let’s take a look at black sesame seeds. These little seeds and their oil aren’t just aromatic in cooking. They are part of a Chinese medicine formula (七寶美髯丹）that beautifies hair and skin. While makeup and cosmetic surgery provide external face-lift, food treasures such as black sesame seeds provide true vitality coming from the inside. Foods like black sesame, walnuts and almonds are frequently used in traditional Chinese medicine as they have a nourishing effect on our blood, brain, skin and hair, to say the least.
Seven Benefits of Black Sesame Seeds
Black sesame seeds are packed with B & E vitamins, essential fatty acids, amino acids, iron, magnesium, calcium, antioxidants, fibre and phytoesterols. They are also very beneficial from a traditional Chinese medicine perspective being a Blood and Essence tonic that supports the Liver and Kidney systems and moisten intestines. As a result, black sesame seeds may help in these areas:
- Anti-ageing
- Cholesterol-lowering
- Hormone-balancing
- Make the hair shine
- Make the skin glow
- Make the bones strong
- Aid bowel movement
Having said that, bear in mind every condition is unique to the individual. For example, not everyone who has hair loss is the result of lacking nutrients in the Blood. If the hair loss is stress-related then no amount of black sesame will make any difference.
Can You Overdose on Black Sesame Seeds?
Like everything, an overdose of any food or medicinal substance can have an adverse effect. Since black sesame promotes bowel movement, if you are getting a loose stool, it’s not a good time to eat loads of it. Other studies have shown that an overdose of black sesame may lead to endocrine disorders causing oily scalp and withering hair follicles. So listen to your body.
Black sesame vs White sesame
They both are strong in vitamins, minerals and beneficial oils but black sesame seeds have a much stronger therapeutic effect as a Chinese medicinal. Medicinals that have a black colour often imply a strong effect in tonifying the Blood and Kidney systems. Other examples of Blood and Kidney tonics that are black in colour are black beans, black dates, Shu Di Huang (Chinese Foxglove Root) and He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum). They are frequently used in Chinese medicine to replenish blood after a menstrual cycle.
Ways To Eat Black Sesame Seeds
One of the must-dos when I go back to Hong Kong is to visit the dessert shop that sells dessert soups of all kinds – black sesames, walnuts and almonds. They are always warm, aromatic, nutty and filling and make my gut very happy. But if Hong Kong is a bit far for you, here are some suggestions.
- Grind them or buy them ground from Asian grocery stores.
- Sprinkle whole black sesames on rice, noodles, stir-fry, cereal and sushi.
- Buy ready made black sesame powder drink in packets in Asian stores. Spread ground black sesame and honey paste on bread.
- Order black sesame dessert soup at Tiny Sweetie in Chatswood, if you’re not looking for five star services.
The thing I LOVE about Chinese desserts is they can be delicious and mouth-watering yet healthy to your body at the same time. Enjoy your black sesame and nice hair and skin!
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