Discover the Virtues of Til (Sesame) Oil. Everything You Need to Know About the Uses of Til Oil and Why Its so Important for Your Health and Wellness (2020)

As the name suggests, til oil is extracted from til (sesame) seeds and is an edible oil which has multiple health benefits. Sesame seeds originated in India and archaeological evidence confirms that it dates back to 2,500 BC. There are different types of til seeds viz. hulled sesame seeds (one of the healthiest version), unhulled sesame seeds (outer skin of the seeds not removed, hence more nutritious value), white seeds (purest form of seeds, sprinkled over burgers, donuts, etc.) and black sesame seeds (have the most nutritional and health benefits among all the varieties). Different variations of til oil are extracted and have different colour and taste depending upon the category of til seeds.

Til seeds are enclosed in a capsule of this ‘flower plant’ which bursts only when the seeds are fully ripe and then oil is extracted from these seeds either by the traditional cold pressed method under low temperature (cold pressed virgin til oil) or using solvent extraction in which neutralisation and bleaching is involved.

There are many scientifically proven benefits of til oil which comprises of several health benefits. Til oil is beneficial in many diseases and also in skin, oral and hair problems. We have listed some of the major uses of til oil and how you can take advantage of this oldest oil-seed crop.

Studies show that a diet loaded with unsaturated fats is beneficial for heart health and til oil has a good 82% unsaturated fatty acids presence, in particular omega-6 fatty acids. Til oil may help slow down the deposit of plaque in your arteries thus preventing heart diseases. The monosaturated fats present in til oil reduce LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol or bad cholesterol and triglycerides which are the major components behind clogged arteries. Try cooking with til oil for once and if you like the flavor, then continue for a few days and check the results.

Using til oil has shown effective results on diabetes patients by lowering the blood sugar levels. A study on a group having type-2 diabetes resulted in reduced fasting blood sugar and HbA1c (haemoglobin). Low levels of HbA1c indicate blood sugar control in the long term. Til oil not only helps patients with type-2 diabetes, but also lowers the risk of diabetes in normal people due to the presence of plant protein, low carbohydrate content, pinoresinol (a compound that helps to regulate blood sugar), rich in fibre and antioxidants and also helps to strengthen the immune system.

While consumption of til oil in restricted quantities has health benefits associated with it, applying it on wounds and burns, etc. may help them to heal faster because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Various studies have concluded that til oil when mixed with camphor and honey acts as a herbal ointment and is useful in healing of burn injuries.

Til oil, as edible oil is useful to keep blood pressure levels under control and lowers the blood pressure of those suffering from elevated levels of BP as it increases antioxidant levels in the blood and decreases preoxidation of lipid. Til oil is rich in good fat mono-saturated and polyunsaturated acids (PUFAs) which reduce cholesterol. Research has proven visible reduction in blood pressure level of patients who used it regularly for 2 months.

Sesame oil may save your skin from harmful sunlight radiations and can block up to 30% of UV rays as it has natural SPF (though, it can’t be a complete alternative for a sunscreen but is okay for normal exposure to sun). Moreover, Ayurveda mentions til oil as an excellent moisturiser, has anti-ageing properties and boosts the regeneration of healthy skin thus acting as a natural anti-ageing agent. Til oil has warming properties and acts as a nice massage oil because it can easily soak up inside the skin.

Sesame oil has an amino acid called tyrosine which impacts serotonin (a neurotransmitter which impacts your well-being and happiness) activity. Depression and stress occur when an imbalance of this chemical happens in your body, thus regular use of sesame oil in edible form can help you feel positive and happy. Therefore, including til oil as part of your diet may help to fight anxiety and stress. Moreover, it also has stress relieving minerals such as magnesium and calcium.

You’ll find a bottle of til oil in most Indian kitchens as Indians are fond of using it in pickles or special dishes, but it’s still not being used as the main cooking oil in general. However, there is an amazing benefit of using til oil in place of olive or coconut oil and that is the high smoke point of 410°C. Smoke point is the temperature at which the oil starts burning and releasing smoke (and unpleasant smell). Hence, til oil is especially beneficial for deep frying, roast and saute and you would love the light nutty flavor.

An ancient Ayurvedic technique called oil pulling is proven useful for removing plaque and good oral health. To follow this method, a tbsp of til oil is filled in the mouth on an empty stomach in the morning and swished around for 15–20 minutes before you spit it out. Regular practice of this method removes the toxins from the body and also relieves gum and teeth problems.

There are many more uses of til oil like – helpful in rheumatoid arthritis, improves sleep quality, beneficial for hair health (increases shine, strength and removes dandruff), a massage with til oil provides relief from arm and leg pain and it also helps relieve constipation. However, a few precautions before using til oils are good to know. Possible side effects are – increase in body weight, allergic reactions in people who are hypersensitive to it, skin rashes and diarrhoea, to name a few.