Sesamum indicum L.

Taxonomy: Plantae.> Tracheophyta> Magnoliopsida> Lamiales> Pedaliaceae> Sesamum> S. indicum

Description: Prostrate, much-branched herbs, up to 1 m long; stem and branches grooved, sparsely hairy. Leaves opposite below and alternate above, variously lobed, softly hairy, 2.5-5.0 cm long; petiles to 5 mm. Flowers solitary, axillary, purple, crimson or carmine-red with a yellow palate, 2.5-4.0 cm long, showy. Calyx deeply divided lobes linear, 1 cm long, ciliate. Corolla 2.5-3 cm long, tubular ventricose. Capsules 1 x 0.8 cm, ovoid, mucronate, scabrous pilose; seeds obovoid-oblong, foveolate, glabrous.

Flowering and fruiting: November - March

Uses: The leaves and seed are astringent. The leaves are rich in a gummy matter and when mixed with water they form rich bland mucilage that is used in the treatment of infant cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, catarrh and bladder troubles. The seed is diuretic, emollient, galactagogue, lenitive and tonic, and acts as a tonic for the liver and kidneys. It is taken internally in the treatment of premature hair loss and greying, convalescence, chronic dry constipation, dental caries, osteoporosis, stiff joints, dry cough etc. It has a marked ability to increase milk production in nursing mothers Externally it is used to treat haemorrhoids and ulcers The seed is very high in calories and so should be used with caution by people who are overweight .The oil is laxative and also promotes menstruation .It is used to treat dry constipation in the elderly. Mixed with lime water, the oil is used externally to treat burns, boils and ulcers. The root is emollient. A decoction is used in various traditions to treat asthma and coughs.

The flowers are used to make an emollient tea.

Cultivation: Cultivated

References

http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org

https://indiabiodiversity.org