B O N E S & M I N E R A L S – part 2
We often look at our hair superficially, but in Ayurvedic diagnosis we look at the hair to know what is going on with a very deep lying and well covered tissue; the bones.
The hair and nails are seen as a by-product of Ashti dhatu (bone & joint tissue). One constitution (Kapha) will, when healthy, have thick and lustrous hair, while another will have more brittle or thinner hair by nature. So we look at the health of the hair always in relation to someone’s constitution.
In daily life we don't pay much attention to our bone health, but it becomes more and more important in our older age or in menopause when bone & joint problems and diseases may become apparent. From elderly women I often hear the wish they would have known how to keep their bones healthy when they were younger. Here I'd like to share another way (see the first in part 1) to nourish the bones.
Sesame is a key ingredient in many Ayurvedic medicines in the form of powder, paste, oil, and as whole seeds. Sesame oil is according Ayurveda the best of all oils; to use internally, and externally applied to the skin or hair. In general you could say it strengthens and calms. Sesame seeds contain an impressive amount of minerals necessary for maintaining bone density, such as calcium, copper, magnesium, zinc, phosphorous, and mangese.
I am filled with amazement when I think of these little seeds, their versatile uses and how the plants provide us with their abundance.
Chewing sesame seeds in the morning is a practice in Ayurveda to support healthy teeth and gums. Both the calcium in the seeds, the chewing itself and the texture of the seeds are beneficial for oral health.
I love eating sesame seeds on my food in the form of Gomasio, a simple combination of sesame and salt. Gomasio originates in Japan and from what I understand is an important staple in macrobiotic food which is based on ideas of Zen Buddhism. Toasting and grinding the sesame seeds allows for greatest digestion and absorption of the nutrients in to the cells. Then you can simply sprinkle the grinded seeds on your meals.
Toasting the seeds, stirring them and carefully watching them turn golden brown is a nice way of focussing ones attention. I'll share the simple recipe below.
Please note:
Ayurvedic nutrition is always personalized, if you have a Pitta or Kapha disbalance, eating a lot of sesame seeds may not be the right thing for you. When in doubt check with an Ayurvedic practitioner.
In this recipe we use white sesame seeds, however black sesame seeds contain more calcium than the white seeds.
R E C I P E · Gomasio
ingredients: [these amounts are for a small batch, I often multiply these measurements by 2 or 3]
4 tbsp of sesame seeds
1tsp of rock or sea salt
method:
· Toast the sesame seeds in a dry skillet, use low to medium heat and keep stirring till the seeds turn golden brown (2-3 minutes)
· Add the salt to the skillet and keep stirring for another 30 seconds
· Transfer the mixture to a pestle and mortar and let it cool down
· When cool, grind till you get a texture you enjoy. It can be course or fine, with still some bigger pieces of sesame seeds in there.
· Store in a clean glass jar and enjoy a teaspoon on almost anything you eat; for example on soups, rice dishes, avocado sandwich, etc.
When stored dry, this mixture will stay well for a few months.