Sesame Seed, Open!

Who among us does not remember the fairy tale about Ali Baba and 40 robbers from the "Thousand and One Nights"? It focuses on the exotic East, the untold treasures in the cave and the magic words: "Sim-sim, open!", Opening the door to a world of happiness, health and wealth. The fabulous word "sim-sim" or "sesame" in Arabic means a small oil seed - sesame. This seasoning has been known since ancient times in Egypt and China, India and Africa, as well as in the Middle East.

Sesame seed is the most ancient product: the Assyrian legend says that the gods, when they started creating the world, sprinkled their mouth with wine from sesame. Today, this miraculous healing drug is added to a wide variety of dishes and delicious pastries, from which you get the most valuable sesame oil, tahini halva. In folk recipes, sesame seeds and oil are used to treat problems with the gastrointestinal tract, circulatory system, respiratory system, in gynecology, with neuralgic diseases and many other ailments.

The plant sesame belongs to the category of annuals with oblong small fruits - pods-boxes, in which the seeds ripen. Sesame seeds are of a variety of shades - from white, yellow, reddish and brown to black.

Ripe fruit, during the slightest touch, clicks loudly and scatter the sim-sim. Sesamum indicum is a tasty and useful "medicine".

"Molodilnoe" or sesame seed has a nut sweetish amber, which is strengthened during roasting. In India, it is believed that the most fragrant are the darkest seeds.

What else is remarkable about sesame seeds? The properties of the oil plant (55-60% fat content) allowed the ancients to start producing a valuable dietary product. In the age of civilization, the use of sesame oil, the champion to reduce blood cholesterol levels, has become very relevant. A hundred grams of this elixir of immortality contains up to 75% of the daily norm of copper, 35% of calcium and 31% of magnesium.

Due to the presence of natural antioxidants in sesame oil, it rejuvenates the cells, regulates oxygen metabolism in the tissues of the body and significantly strengthens the immune system. Zinc, calcium and phosphorus, contained in sesame, contribute to the prevention of osteoporosis, because with their help, the formation of bone tissue. In addition, sesame has long been a favorite among products with a large amount of calcium (up to one and a half grams per 100 grams of sim-sim), iron - about 15-16 mg, magnesium - 540 mg.

The therapeutic effect has a sesame seed and with respiratory diseases - bronchitis, pulmonary diseases and asthma. It is recommended to use one teaspoon of sesame seeds a day to normalize the work of the female reproductive system. This reduces the risk of mastopathy and the appearance of other gynecological problems.

Chinese sesame seed is considered a means of strengthening and supporting the morale of warriors. Ayurveda offers sesame oil as a unique product for the treatment of skin diseases, and in love magic - as a powerful aphrodisiac.

In cosmetology, a universal oil from sesame is used in the care of face and body. Due to its softening and moisturizing properties it nourishes the dermis, reduces the risk of dryness and irritation. The ability of this "liquid gold" is known to reliably protect our skin from negative external influences. Sesame oil is used both in pure form and as a vital component of many cosmetic products.

In cooking, sesame is often used for sprinkling bread, biscuits, rolls and pies. Japanese cover with a layer of sesame seeds traditional cakes. Sim-sim is added to the breading when frying pieces of fish, meat or vegetables. It also gives refined taste to various salads.

However, nutritionists warn: no matter how useful and nutritious sesame, its caloric value is almost equal to the calorie content of milk chocolate. If this delicacy has 550 grams per 100 g of product, then the same amount of sesame will bring into the body 560-580 kcal. Therefore, adherents of a healthy lifestyle prefer to limit themselves to one teaspoon of sim-sim seeds per day, not more.

Sesame oil and seeds added to food not only improve the taste of food, but also bring significant benefits to your health.