Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Tila

Sesamum indicum L.

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 nameSesamum indicum L.
FamilyPedaliaceae
OrderLamiales
Also known asTila, Sesamum indicum, Sesamum indicum L., Sesame, Til
Pharmacopoeia statusNot 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
Taxon identifiersGBIF 3172622 · Wikidata Q2763698 · NCBI Taxonomy 4182

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishTila
Latin/BotanicalSesamum indicum L.

Key Phytochemical Constituents

How does it work?

  • Hepatoprotective mechanism through NRF2 pathway activation by sesamol, upregulating phase II detoxification enzymes and 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 effects validated through clinical and preclinical studies, confirming Ayurvedic use for heart health and as a Rasayana

What do recent clinical trials show?

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 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 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 as base oil for Ayurvedic medicated oils (enhances herb absorption transdermally)
  • Ashwagandha in sesame oil base - enhanced adaptogenic delivery
  • Bala (Sida cordifolia) in Tila Taila - Bala Taila for musculoskeletal conditions
  • Jaggery + Tila - traditional hematinic combination

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. 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 learningFrontiers in chemistry. PMID 38629105 · doi:10.3389/fchem.2024.1361980

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