Benne
An annual plant with branching stem 4 or 5 feet high, leaves opposite,
petiolate, shape varies; flower reddish white, single, on short peduncles
in axils of leaves; fruit an oblong capsule with small oval yellowish
seeds. The genus Sesamum comprises ten or twelve species. In
India two species occur wild, it is cultivated in the U.S.A. and in
the West Indies; it grows as far north as Philadelphia.
The seeds by expression yield a fixed oil consisting essentially
of the glycerides of oleic and linoleic acids with small preparations
of stearin, palmitin and myristin. Sesamin, another constituent
of the oil, may be obtained in long crystalline needles melting
at 118 degrees F., insoluble in water, light petroleum, ether alkaloids
and mineral acids, easily soluble in chloroform, benzine, and glacial
acetic acid. Liquid fatty acids are present to about 70 per cent.,
solid fatty acids 12 to 14 per cent.
Modern uses: Sesame oil is used in the
preparation of Iodinol and Brominol, which are employed for external
internal or subcutaneous use. The best qualities of the oil are
largely used in the manufacture of margarine. Sesame oil may be
used as a substitute for Olive oil in making the official liniments,
ointments and plasters in India and the African, Eastern, and North
America Colonies. The negroes use the seed as food, boiling them
for broth and making them into puddings and other dishes. The leaves
which abound in gummy matter when mixed with water form a rich bland
mucilage used in infantile cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, catarrh
and bladder troubles, acute cystitis and strangury. The oil is said
to be laxative and to promote menstruation.
Other Name: Gingilly, Teel.
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