# Tila > Tila (Sesamum indicum L.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Pedaliaceae family. Not listed in WHO monographs as a medicinal plant; recognized globally as a major food oilseed; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia recognizes sesame oil (Tila taila) as a key pharmaceutical vehicle. ## Key facts - **Botanical name:** Sesamum indicum L. - **Family:** Pedaliaceae - **Pharmacopoeia status:** Not listed in WHO monographs as a medicinal plant; recognized globally as a major food oilseed; Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia recognizes sesame oil (Tila taila) as a key pharmaceutical vehicle ## Names and identification | Language | Name | |----------|------| | English | Tila | | Latin/Botanical | *Sesamum indicum L.* | ## Key Phytochemical Constituents - [Sesamin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sesamin) (lignan) - [Sesamolin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sesamolin) (lignan) - [Sesamol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sesamol) - Sesaminol - Alpha-tocopherol and gamma-tocopherol - [Phytosterols](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#phytosterols) (beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol), [campesterol](/glossary/compounds-a-c/#campesterol), [stigmasterol](/reference/stigmasterol/)) - Oleic acid and linoleic acid - Phenolic acids - [Flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/) - [Phospholipids](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#phospholipids) ## How does it work? - [Hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) mechanism through NRF2 pathway activation by sesamol, upregulating phase II detoxification [enzymes](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#enzymes) and [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) defense systems - Cholesterol-lowering action via sesamin-mediated inhibition of intestinal cholesterol absorption and enhancement of hepatic LDL receptor expression - Anti-inflammatory mechanism through sesamin and sesamol inhibition of NF-kB signaling, reducing COX-2 expression and prostaglandin synthesis ## Which traditional uses are supported by research? - Hepatoprotective activity validated through multiple in vivo studies and NRF2 pathway research, confirming traditional use in liver disorders - Anti-inflammatory and wound healing properties confirmed through modern pharmacological studies, supporting traditional topical oil applications (Abhyanga) - Cholesterol-lowering and [cardioprotective](/reference/cardioprotective/) effects validated through clinical and preclinical studies, confirming Ayurvedic use for heart health and as a [Rasayana](/reference/rasayana/) ## What do recent clinical trials show? - Sumbul, Sultana A, Heyat MBB and others 2024. [Efficacy and classification of Sesamum indicum linn seeds with Rosa damascena mill oil in uncomplicated pelvic inflammatory disease using machine learning](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38629105/). *Frontiers in chemistry*. PMID [38629105](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38629105/) · [doi:10.3389/fchem.2024.1361980](https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2024.1361980) Clinical study demonstrated therapeutic efficacy and safety of sesame seeds with Rosa damascena oil in uncomplicated pelvic inflammatory disease, with machine learning analysis for patient classification. - 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 Applications](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36235731/). *Nutrients*. PMID [36235731](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36235731/) · [doi:10.3390/nu14194079](https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14194079) Extensive review documenting sesamin and sesamolin as key bioactive [lignans](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#lignans) with proven antioxidant, antimutagenic, estrogenic, anti-inflammatory, [antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/), and [hypolipidemic](/glossary/pharmacology/#hypolipidemic) properties. *1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.* ## Recent safety updates - Widely consumed as food globally with well-established dietary safety; sesame allergy is a recognized concern and is now a major food allergen requiring labeling in many countries (US FASTER Act 2021) - Potential estrogenic effects of lignans (sesamin, sesamolin) should be considered in hormone-sensitive conditions; generally safe in culinary amounts but high-dose supplementation warrants caution ## Dosage forms and preparation **Dosage Forms:** Taila (oil), Churna (powder), Capsule (oil-filled softgel), Tablet, Paste (Kalka), Modaka (sweetmeat) **Standard Dosage:** 5-10 mL [sesame oil](/glossary/concepts-m-y/#tila-taila) internally; 3-6 g seed powder twice daily; 5-15 mL oil for external application (Abhyanga) **Bioavailability:** Sesamin and sesamolin (key lignans) have moderate oral bioavailability (~35-45%) and are converted by gut microflora and hepatic CYP enzymes to enterolactone and enterodiol, which have prolonged half-lives. Co-administration with [piperine](/reference/piperine/) inhibits CYP3A4-mediated metabolism, increasing sesamin bioavailability by ~1.5 fold. The oil matrix itself serves as a natural bioavailability enhancer for lipophilic co-administered compounds. **Optimal Timing:** Morning on empty stomach for internal oleation (Snehapana); before bath for Abhyanga; with meals for nutritional supplementation **Standardized Extract:** Cold-pressed oil standardized to >0.5% total lignans (sesamin + sesamolin) by HPLC; tocopherol content >30 mg/100g; acid value <2.0, peroxide value <10 meq O2/kg **Shelf Life:** Cold-pressed oil: 12-18 months; Softgel capsules: 24 months; Powder: 6-9 months (high oil content causes rancidity); Medicated oils (Siddha Taila): 12-24 months **Storage:** Oil in dark glass or tin containers at 15-25 deg C, protected from light and heat. Seed powder refrigerated at 2-8 deg C due to oxidation susceptibility. Softgels in blister packs with desiccant. **Marker Compounds:** Sesamin, Sesamolin, Sesamol, Sesaminol, gamma-Tocopherol, Linoleic acid, Oleic acid, Phytosterols (beta-sitosterol) ### Extraction Methods - Cold pressing for virgin sesame oil - Expeller pressing - Solvent extraction (hexane) for maximum oil yield - Supercritical CO2 extraction for lignan-rich fraction - Traditional Taila Paka (Ayurvedic oil processing) for medicated oils ### Synergistic Combinations - [Tila Taila](/glossary/concepts-m-y/#tila-taila) as base oil for Ayurvedic medicated oils (enhances herb absorption transdermally) - [Ashwagandha](/herb/ashwagandha/) in sesame oil base - enhanced [adaptogenic](/reference/adaptogenic/) delivery - [Bala](/herb/bala/) (Sida cordifolia) in Tila Taila - Bala Taila for musculoskeletal conditions - Jaggery + Tila - traditional hematinic combination --- Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/tila/ ## Sources - Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0) - Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases) - Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice. Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.