The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s17.t2.29

c5.s17.t2.29

Sesamum seeds are used as an article of diet, being made into confectionary with sugar, or ground into meal. They form an essential article of certain religious ceremonies of the Hindus, and have therefore received the names of *homadhánya* or the sacrificial grain, *pitritarpana* or the grain that is offered as an oblation to deceased ancestors, etc. Sesamum oil forms the basis of most of the fragrant or scented oils used by the natives for inunction before bathing and of medicated oils prepared with various vegetable drugs. It is preferred for these purposes from the circumstance of its being little liable to turn rancid or thick, and from its possessing no strong taste or odour of its own.