Sesame

            Pedaliceae

            Oriental sesame

             Flowers solitary, axillary, corolla, tubular, white or pinkish. Capsule prismatic. Seeds numerous, ovate, compressed, oily, brown, reddish black (Wut Wuthithamwet, 1997, 122) The variety called “Nga khi mon” is round, brown, reddish black so it is also called “nga daeng-dam” (Tomchit Bunphaephon), 2542, p. 1367)

            Seeds contain protein 18-25%, oil contains 40-50%, unsaturated fat is 85%. Lanna people like to sprinkle the seeds on thin rice sheets called “Khao khaep” or mix it in the filling for khanom chok, or mix it in brown sugar called “nga tam oi” (Tomchit Bunphaephon, 1999, pp.1367-1368)

Seeds are bittersweet boost energy, warmth for the body but may cause the bile to act up; oil can be put on wounds. (Wut Wuthithamwet, 1997, p. 122).
It is believed that it can make one feel energetic, can prevent rheumatism, constipation, high cholesterol, hemorrhoids, good for bones and hair.
Lanna Pharmaceutical Indications: Treats skin diseases, burns, ringworm. (Chiradet and Alanya Manosoi, 1997, p. 68)

            

Chiradet and Alanya Manosoi. (1997). Lanna Pharmaceutics: Lana Herbal Medicine Formula. Bangkok : Institute of Traditional Thai Medicine. (in Thai).

Tomchit Bunphaephon. (1999). Nga. In Saranukrom Wattanatham Thai Phak Nuea (Vol. 3, pp. 1367-1368). Bangkok: The Siam Commercial Bank Foundation for the Encyclopedia of Thai Culture. (in Thai).

Wut Wuthithamwet. (1997). Saranukrom Samunphrai: Ruam Lak Pesatchakam Thai. Bangkok : Odean Store. (in Thai).