☯ TCM Properties
Moistens the Intestines and Unblocks the Bowels; Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity; Promotes Tissue Regeneration and Heals Sores; Alleviates Pain
Traditional Chinese Uses
Ma You (sesame oil) is a cool, sweet lubricating food substance used in Chinese medicine to moisten the Intestines and relieve constipation from dryness, soothe burns and skin conditions topically, and counteract food poisoning. As a cooking oil and medicinal lubricant, it is one of the most practically accessible preparations in Chinese dietary medicine, valued for its moisture-promoting and mild detoxifying properties in everyday health maintenance.
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Sesamum indicum is an erect annual herb of the family Pedaliaceae, probably originating in Africa or the Indian subcontinent and now cultivated throughout warm regions of Asia, Africa and the Americas. The slightly succulent, quadrangular stem reaches 60-150 cm and bears opposite to alternate, ovate-lanceolate leaves 5-15 cm long, the lower often lobed. Solitary tubular, bell-shaped flowers 3-4 cm long, white to pale pink with darker throat markings, are borne in the leaf axils and are followed by erect, four-angled, oblong capsules 2-5 cm long that dehisce explosively at maturity to release numerous small, flattened-ovoid seeds about 3 mm long, white, cream or black depending on cultivar. The seeds contain 45-55% of a pale yellow, mild-tasting fixed oil rich in oleic and linoleic acids, expressed for culinary and medicinal use as Ma You.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| poultice | As needed | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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