HOW TO CURE COLD PRESSED SESAME OIL FOR MASSAGE AND PULLING
It’s that time of year again (Vata season!) for those living North of the Equator where many, if not most of us, could benefit from the therapeutic effects of regular abhyanga - warm oil massage with sesame oil, an oil rich in oleic and linoleic acids which is antibacterial, anti inflammatory and full of antioxidants. I’ve already spoken about this Ayurvedic lifestyle staple in this post and also shared how to cure it in order to increase its potency - but I wanted to expand on it again as I get ready to cure another batch for myself with the easy technique you can use to cure your sesame oil if you don’t have a thermometer (video coming to Instagram soon!)
While many have come to believe that the rawest and most unprocessed of foods are optimum for our mind-body, which makes sense in so many ways, we also have to be aware that certain processes make natural substances more bioavailable for us.
For example, the cooking of foods makes them easier for our gut to digest and therefore extract the goodness that we need to create rasa dhatu - ready-to-use nourishment for the bodily tissues. By first processing sesame seeds to make sesame oil, we access the pure oil for use in and on our bodies - much more convenient than trying to squeeze each seed by hand! Not all processes of this kind are equal though - by using a slow and gentle machine rather than chemical or high-heat extraction manufacturers are able to extract cold-pressed oil - therefore preserving as much of the goodness as possible. The next stage - the one I want to tell you about here - is curing or ripening this cold-pressed oil using a particular temperature of 100°C so that the penetrable qualities of the oil are greatly increased, therefore allowing it to be absorbed deeper into the tissues of the body. This then makes it more potent to use for either massage and oil pulling (as well as in other Ayurvedic treatments and remedies).
So why did we go to the trouble of buying cold pressed when we're going to heat it I hear you say?! Don't worry, this process is gentle, unlike cheaply sourced sesame oil that doesn't start life cold pressed (think raw milk cooked on your stove versus the more damaging effect of high heat during the mechanical pasteurisation of milk).
You can buy your sesame oil ready-cured here or here or you can save money by curing your own by simply heating it at home - no thermometer needed. This is always a good idea for massage, oil pulling or to store it for cooking especially when you consider that it stops your nutritious oil from going rancid.
Then when it comes to oil massage, there is one more important step, especially at this time of year - warming a small batch prior to using it which is SO important from an Ayurvedic and comfort point of view for massage. Sesame oil is used for its nourishing properties, what we don’t want is thick, clammy cold oil on the skin - you won't get the same result and it just doesn’t feel nice, and soothing our nerves is so much of the point. This step isn’t necessary for oil pulling as the small amount you use is quickly warmed in the mouth.
Here's how to cure it:
*When you buy bulk cold-pressed sesame oil make sure it is pure, organic food-grade.
Pour the oil into a stainless steel pan on a medium heat (approximately a litre at a time), and be sure not to leave it unattended. Remember that oil is flammable!
In time you will start to see steam and bits of smoke rising from the oil (like a mist-consistency) which indicates it has reached the desired curing temperature of approximately 100° degrees. Be sure it does not boil If in doubt add one drop of water and if it bubbles and splutters it’s ready - just allow the water to evaporate out.
Remove the pan from the heat and set aside to cool down, allowing the strong smell to subside.
When the oil has cooled, rebottle it (preferably in a glass) and store it somewhere dark and cool. Decant a measurement into a smaller bottle for heating for abhyanga as and when you need it and another smaller bottle for oil pulling to sit by your Tongue Tingler and toothbrush in the morning.
So this autumn if you have or haven't yet started the process of warm oilling make sure you’re on it to protect your skin from the elements, and nourish your muscles and joints (it can help to increase flexibility and mobility too!!) and see how this works for you. Don’t forget it's also great for head massages.
Note: Avoid abhyanga post eating (wait an hour), when constipated or unwell with fever or other issues (consult a Vaidya/Ayurvedic practitioner first) or when menstruating. During pregnancy use only light touch so as not to stimulate the detoxification process.
Read more on oils in Ayurveda: