The Best Way to Apply Sesame Oil for Pain

In addition to being a flavorful, oil used in cooking the Chinese and Indians have for centuries used sesame oil medicinally. Among its properties, sesame oil has strong anti-oxidant, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. There are uses of sesame oil that may help to stymie the pain of certain conditions and it is also known as an excellent laxative. Naturopathic medicine has been finding increasing numbers of uses for this seemingly simple cooking oil.

Sores and Infections

• Sesame oil has proven effects on infection. Records show that as early as the fourth century, sesame oil was a treatment for toothache pain and gum disease. And, according to modern scientists, the Chinese had it right all along. Small-scale clinical trials have shown that sesame oil reduced growth of oral bacteria, and therefore may have effects on tooth decay and gum disease. Sesame oil can be used to address the pain and irritation of minor scrapes, cuts and bruises.

Female Pain and Discomfort

• Western medicine tends to promote over the counter pain relievers to minimize menstrual pain. In the Indian culture there is an old remedy for painful menstrual cramps, a woman simply rubs sesame oil over her abdomen as a cure to the physical discomforts of PMS.

  Sesame oil may also be used to treat painful vaginal dryness brought on by menopause. Soak a square of sterile cosmetic cotton with sesame oil, ring out or remove any excess oil and then insert into the vagina overnight. After seven nights of this treatment, vaginal dryness should subside. Then, repeat this remedy weekly or as needed.

Cancer

• Sesame oil has been shown to have a direct impact on blocking the growth of cancer. A clinical study in 1992 showed that sesame oil was able to prevent melanoma skin cancer cells from growing. A 1991 clinical study showed similar effects on human colon cancer cells.

  Scientists speculate that linoleic acid, a fatty acid found in sesame oil, is likely the reason for this effect. In this way, sesame oil may help develop even more remedies for cancer and tumors and the immense physical pain that accompany them.