Black or White Sesame Seeds (Til)
Sesame seeds, known as 'Til' in Ayurveda, are highly regarded as a nutrient-dense food source. They are characterized by their unctuous (snigdha) and heating (ushna) nature, making them a primary dietary choice for supporting nourishment and structural integrity. In the kitchen, they are valued for their ability to provide sustained energy and their unique capacity to balance Vata dosha. From a culinary perspective, sesame seeds are versatile, appearing in everything from traditional sweets and snacks to savory tempering (tadka). Because they are inherently heavy (guru) and oily, they are best consumed in moderate quantities, often paired with digestive spices to ensure they are processed efficiently by the digestive fire (agni).
Category: other
Classical attributes
- Rasa: Madhura, Tikta, Kashaya, Katu
- Virya: Ushna
- Vipaka: Madhura
Preparation notes
To improve digestibility, sesame seeds should be lightly dry-roasted or soaked before use. Roasting helps reduce their inherent heaviness and enhances their nutty aroma, making them more compatible with the digestive system.
Health benefits
- Supports healthy skin and hair texture
- Provides sustained energy due to high fat and protein content
- Promotes structural nourishment of the body tissues
- Assists in maintaining regular bowel movements when used appropriately
Culinary uses
- Added to doughs for breads and flatbreads
- Ground into pastes for thickening gravies
- Used in traditional sweets like Til-laddus
- Lightly toasted for garnishing salads or grain bowls
- Pressed into oil for cooking and seasoning
Indications
- Used in traditional preparations like peya (gruels) for nourishment
- Consumed as a snack in winter months
Pathya (supportive)
- Winter diet
- Post-fasting recovery (in small amounts)
- Vata-pacifying regimens
Apathya (avoid)
- During acute fever
- When suffering from high Pitta or inflammatory skin conditions
- In cases of severe digestive sluggishness
Classical sources
- Charaka Samhita · चिकित्सास्थानम् · द्विव्रणीयचिकित्सितम् · Unit 4 — 01 4
- Charaka Samhita · Sutrasthana · Dravyadi Vijnaniya Adhyaya · Unit 44 — 01 44