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The secrets of sesame oil and coconut oil at the heart of Ayurveda

アーユルヴェーダの核心にある、ごま油とココナッツオイルの秘密

journal — two oils

Sesame oil and coconut oil.
5,000 years of wisdom in the kitchen.

Ayurveda, India's traditional medicine, possesses "oil wisdom" that has been refined over 5,000 years. Among the many plants, two oils have been central to this wisdom: sesame oil and coconut oil, both familiar in our kitchens. Why have these two been so highly valued? And how does modern science support this? This is a story about oils that might just change your perspective a little.


Why is sesame oil
the "king" of Ayurveda?

It's no exaggeration to say that in Ayurveda, "oil" primarily refers to sesame oil. The vast majority of hundreds of medicinal oils have been made with sesame oil as their base. It is truly a core oil, for three main reasons.

①It's a "warming" oil that heats the body.

In Ayurveda, oils are believed to have specific properties. Sesame oil is considered "warming"—an oil that heats the body and alleviates dryness and coldness. Many of our ailments are said to stem from dryness, coldness, and instability (what Ayurveda calls "Vata imbalance"), and sesame oil was considered a vital "defensive stronghold" to soothe these conditions.

②It's believed to have exceptional penetrating power that reaches deep within.

In Ayurvedic tradition, sesame oil is considered to have exceptional penetrating power, reaching deep into the body more effectively than other oils. This is why it was prized as a "carrier" for the power of herbs. The idea is to infuse medicinal plants in sesame oil, then apply that oil to the skin to deliver the benefits of the plants to the body.

③It's fundamental for full-body care.

Abhyanga, the oil massage where sesame oil is rubbed all over the body, is central to daily Ayurvedic care. Sesame oil has supported this daily ritual of nourishing the skin, loosening stiffness, and calming the mind. The saying "oil heals a thousand diseases" remains, indicating that oil, especially sesame oil, was central to daily life.

Modern science discovers
the "antioxidant power" of sesame oil.

So, is there scientific evidence to support this tradition?

Indeed, there is. Sesame contains special antioxidant compounds found only in sesame, called sesamin and sesamol. Antioxidants work to prevent "rusting" of the skin—oxidation that causes dryness and aging. Thanks to these powerful compounds, sesame oil itself is also very resistant to spoilage. The ancients intuitively felt that "sesame oil lasts long and is good for the skin" without knowing why, but this intuition was indeed backed by its chemical components.

Furthermore, experiments using these compounds have reported that they can suppress pigmentation in UV-exposed skin and protect collagen, which is important for skin elasticity. Modern science is gradually catching up with the traditional belief that "sesame oil keeps the skin youthful."

(These are examples of experiments conducted with compounds found in sesame oil.)

Coconut oil is
a "special oil" for hair.

If sesame oil is a "warming oil," coconut oil is its opposite—it's considered a "cooling" oil that soothes heat. It has been cherished as a daily oil to protect hair and scalp in hot South India and Sri Lanka.

And this coconut oil is also an oil with very strong scientific backing when it comes to hair care. In a famous experiment comparing various oils, coconut oil, sunflower oil, and mineral oil were tested—and only coconut oil prevented hair damage.

The secret lies in the molecular structure. Lauric acid, the main component of coconut oil, has a small, straight shape. Therefore, unlike other oils that merely coat the surface, it is one of the few oils that can penetrate deep into the hair shaft. The oil inside prevents the hair from swelling by absorbing water and protects it from damage during washing. Experiments have reported that protein leakage from damaged hair was reduced by up to about 40%.

"Apply, leave on, and wash,"
known for 5,000 years.

This is where it gets most interesting. That oil experiment also taught us this: coconut oil is most effective when applied "before" shampooing, left on for at least 20 minutes, and then washed off.

This is exactly the Ayurvedic method. Applying oil to the hair and scalp, leaving it on for a while, and then rinsing it off—it perfectly matches the practice of "oil packing" that has continued for thousands of years in India.

They arrived at the correct method of "apply, leave on, and wash" purely through experience, without knowing the reasons or mechanisms. And now, modern laboratories have confirmed, 5,000 years later, "that order is correct." It's a story that reveals the profound power of traditional wisdom.

Two oils with opposing characteristics,
both placed at the core.

What the two oils teach us

Sesame oil

warm / warming

Nourishes and protects skin with antioxidants. A warming oil that heats the body.

Coconut oil

cool / soothing

Penetrates and protects hair internally. A cooling oil that soothes heat.

Warming sesame oil, soothing coconut oil. Sesame protects the skin with antioxidants, coconut protects the hair by reaching its interior. The reason these two oils, with their opposing characteristics, have both been central to Ayurveda is because of a single philosophy: "nourishing skin and hair with oil."

And much of that wisdom aligns well with modern science. There's a 5,000-year story hidden in the oils in your kitchen—the next time you pick up these two, try to remember their depth just a little.