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Tila | | Name : | Tila | | Synonyms : | Hei-chih-ma(Chinese name)
Sesameseed
Tila(Sanskrit name)
| | Parts Used : | Seeds | | Habitat : | A native to Africa and the warmer parts of Asia. Naturalized fromFlorida to Texas, it is happiest in its native tropics and will growin warm climates. Requires full sun and rich, moist soil. | | Description : | Sesame is a strong, slender annual growing to 1 1/2-3 feet tall,with slender, dark-green leaves, 5 inches long, and inch-long, palepink flowers, resembling foxglove, which lie along the square stem.The seeds vary in color: red, black, brown, or creamy white seeds.Seedpods will not develop without adequate moisture; requires wateringduring dry periods. It is a warmth-loving plant which will only matureits seeds in our southern states and Hawaii, though it may be startedearly in pots in the north and planted in the garden for decorativepurposes. Full sun. Zones 8-10.
Another variety: The Chinese use a plant called sesame (Sesamumindicum) that they name Hu-ma. The famous general, Chang Chien, tookthe seed from the West to China when he made his famous tour in thetime of the Han dynasty. | | Constituents : | Over 50% fatty oil, (including olein, linolein, palmitin, stearinand myristin), lecithin, choline, 1% oxalate acid, choroginic acid,vitamins E, A and B and appreciable amounts of calcium.
Demulcent, digestive, excretory, emollient, laxative, nutritive,tonic | | Uses : | Nourishes the liver and kidneys, lubricates dry intestines, darkensprematurely graying hair. Treats backache, tinnitus,blurry vision, migraines,vertigo or dizziness, chronicconstipation, hemorrhoids,dysentery, amenorrhea,dysmenorrhea, recedinggums, tooth decay, hair loss, weak bones, osteoporosis, emaciation,dry cough, blood in the urine, weak knees, stiffjoints.
Because of its easily assimilated calcium content, it nourishes theblood, calms nervous spasms, and alleviates headaches,dizziness and numbness caused by deficient blood. Its a good tonic,particularly for the aged.
The oil of sesame will help burns,boils, ulcers,sunburn, remove freckles, agespots. | | Dosage : | The seeds are thoroughly ground into powder and mixed into a pastewith honey; take 2 tsp. daily. In the Middle East this mixture iseaten as a candy called halva. If you make your own, for variety adda dash of vanilla or maple flavoring, or add chopped nuts or dates.Shape into 2 tsp. balls or patties and refrigerate. Eat one pattyper day. It has the consistency of fudge.
For dry cough, asthmatic andlung conditions, combine the powdered seeds with a pinch of blackpepper, ginger juice, and honey. Take 1 tbsp. 3 times a day. | | Safety : | Care should be taken in obesity. | | Myths : | Earliest records show that sesame seed was a staple food and oilsource in China, Japan, and India, and was used in ancient Greece.The Egyptians and Persians of Biblical times ground it into a kindof flour, from which they made bread. The Romans crushed the seedand used it like butter for a spread on bread. Today it is still usedas a bread spread, the oil being used in the manufacture of some oleo-margarines.
Each plant produces only 1 tbsp. of seed, often none in cool climates.
One source claims that the halva candy is an aphrodisiac. It containsa rich supply of potassium and magnesium salts of aspartic acid. Inaddition, you get a bonus of vitamin E (called the fertility vitamin),calcium, phosphorus, and unsaturated fatty acids (vitamin F) as wellas lecithin, and 50% more protein than meat. The hormone hypophysealproduced by the pituitary gland is basically protein in nature andobviously needs this nutrient in the diet for its development. Thishormone is a key factor to healthy activity of the sex glands. Sothat is why some people call halva the Sex Candy. | | Nutrient : | Carbohydrates, phosphorus, niacin, protein, calcium, vitamins C,E and A, and unsaturated fatty acids. | | Sold : | Halva or Halvah bars can be obtained in health food stores but besure to read the label, some are fortified with large amounts of sugaror corn syrup instead of honey. There are various flavors: vanilla,chocolate, and marbled, or with chopped nut covering.
You can buy sesame seeds at health food stores, mail order healthfood companies, herb companies, and even at some supermarkets or cornergrocery stores. |
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