Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Tila Patra

Sesamum indicum

Tila Patra (Sesamum indicum) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Mucilaginous polysaccharides are not systemically absorbed but act locally on GI mucosa with prebiotic effects. Chlorophyll derivatives and carotenoids require lipid co-administration for meaningful absorption.

Key facts
Botanical nameSesamum indicum
FamilyPedaliaceae
OrderLamiales
Also known asTila Patra, TilaPatra
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3172622 · Wikidata Q2763698 · NCBI Taxonomy 4182

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishTila Patra

Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

PropertyValueDescription
Rasa (Taste)MadhuraPrimary taste
Guna (Quality)SnigdhaPhysical quality
Virya (Potency)SheetaHeating/Cooling effect
Vipaka (Post-digestive)MadhuraPost-digestive effect

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Lepa (paste for external use), Capsule, Poultice

Standard Dosage: 3-5 g powder twice daily; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; as needed externally as paste

Bioavailability: Flavonoids and phenolic acids from sesame leaves show moderate oral bioavailability (15-25%). Mucilaginous polysaccharides are not systemically absorbed but act locally on GI mucosa with prebiotic effects. Chlorophyll derivatives and carotenoids require lipid co-administration for meaningful absorption.

Optimal Timing: After meals for internal use; external application as needed, typically at night for dermatological conditions

Standardized Extract: Hydroethanolic extract standardized to >2% total flavonoids (as rutin equivalent by UV); mucilage content >10% by gravimetric method

Shelf Life: Dried leaf powder: 12 months; Capsules: 24 months; Decoction: prepare fresh daily; External paste: prepare fresh

Storage: Dried leaves in airtight, light-resistant containers at 15-25 deg C. Protect from moisture as mucilage is highly hygroscopic.

Marker Compounds: Rutin, Quercetin, Luteolin, Apigenin, Chlorogenic acid, Caffeic acid, beta-Sitosterol

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction
  • Hydroethanolic extraction (50-60% ethanol)
  • Cold maceration for mucilage-rich preparations
  • Soxhlet extraction for flavonoid-rich fractions

Synergistic Combinations

  • Tila (sesame seed oil) - comprehensive Sesamum-based formulation
  • Nimba (neem) leaves - synergistic dermatological action
  • Haridra (turmeric) - anti-inflammatory and wound-healing potentiation
  • Ghrita (ghee) - vehicle for enhanced lipophilic compound absorption

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Randomised controlled trials2

  1. Bigdeli Shamloo MB, Nasiri M, Maneiy M and others. 2019. Effects of topical sesame (Sesamum indicum) oil on the pain severity of chemotherapy-induced phlebitis in patients with colorectal cancer: A randomized controlled trialComplementary therapies in clinical practice. PMID 31003690 · doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2019.01.016
  2. Yen CH, Chiu HF, Huang SY and others. 2018. Beneficial effect of Burdock complex on asymptomatic Helicobacter pylori-infected subjects: A randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trialHelicobacter. PMID 29520881 · doi:10.1111/hel.12469

Other clinical studies and reviews9

  1. Mostashari P, Mousavi Khaneghah A. 2024. Sesame Seeds: A Nutrient-Rich SuperfoodFoods (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 38672826 · doi:10.3390/foods13081153
  2. Weldemichael MY, Gebremedhn HM. 2023. QTL mapping in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.): A reviewJournal of biotechnology. PMID 37717598 · doi:10.1016/j.jbiotec.2023.09.003
  3. Wei P, Zhao F, Wang Z and others. 2022. Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.): A Comprehensive Review of Nutritional Value, Phytochemical Composition, Health Benefits, Development of Food, and Industrial ApplicationsNutrients. PMID 36235731 · doi:10.3390/nu14194079
  4. Majdalawieh AF, Yousef SM, Abu-Yousef IA and others. 2022. Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of sesamin: mechanisms of action and future directionsCritical reviews in food science and nutrition. PMID 33544009 · doi:10.1080/10408398.2021.1881438
  5. Berhe M, Dossa K, You J and others. 2021. Genome-wide association study and its applications in the non-model crop Sesamum indicumBMC plant biology. PMID 34157965 · doi:10.1186/s12870-021-03046-x
  6. Andargie M, Vinas M, Rathgeb A and others. 2021. Lignans of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.): A Comprehensive ReviewMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 33562414 · doi:10.3390/molecules26040883
  7. Mili A, Das S, Nandakumar K and others. 2021. A comprehensive review on Sesamum indicum L.: Botanical, ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, and pharmacological aspectsJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 34364969 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2021.114503
  8. Majdalawieh AF, Mansour ZR. 2019. Sesamol, a major lignan in sesame seeds (Sesamum indicum): Anti-cancer properties and mechanisms of actionEuropean journal of pharmacology. PMID 31063773 · doi:10.1016/j.ejphar.2019.05.008
  9. Dragos D, Gilca M, Gaman L and others. 2017. Phytomedicine in Joint DisordersNutrients. PMID 28275210 · doi:10.3390/nu9010070

Laboratory and animal studies1

  1. Ramazani E, Ebrahimpour F, Emami SA and others. 2023. Neuroprotective Effects of Sesamum indicum, Sesamin and Sesamolin Against 6-OHDA-induced Apoptosis in PC12 CellsRecent advances in food, nutrition & agriculture. PMID 37539928 · doi:10.2174/2772574X14666230804151124

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